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United_Way_invites_donors_to_meet_highest_goal_ever_
United_Way_sets_fundraising_goal_
Borders to donate
books
United Way celebrates
Community Caring Day |
December 3, 2008
It just takes a buck to break the record, and
that's what the United Way is going for.
The United Way of Will County announced its goal
for the 2008-2009 campaign, and it is coming in one dollar over the
$3,985,001 all-time high set last year.
Jim Roolf, the president of First Midwest Joliet
Banking Center, is chairing this year's campaign. With the United
Way's goal being just $1 more than what the organization raised last
year, Roolf spoke of the value of one and the importance to maintain
our communitywide level of giving to United Way.
"During these difficult economic times, everyone
is facing challenges," Roolf said. "We recognize these challenges,
and thus the importance to maintain what we're providing to the
United Way.
"The need continues to grow in Will County and it
is vital that the 46 partner agencies be able to continue providing
the crucial services to our community by way of our support to
United Way," he said.
Mike Hennessy, the president and chief executive
officer of United Way of Will County, was pleased that Roolf agreed
to serve as the chairman for the 2008-2009 campaign.
"First Midwest Bank and its employees have been
one of our top contributors to our local United Way for many years,"
Hennessy said. "Jim Roolf is such a caring and giving person, he
truly leads by example. I am confident Jim will lead our United Way
of Will County Campaign Team to reach new heights, which will
benefit the residents of Will County."
United Way of Will County is a local,
not-for-profit, community-based organization. Each year United Way
of Will County raises need funds to support the programs and
services provided by not-for-profit agencies throughout Will County.
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December 2, 2008
It just takes a buck to break the record, and that's
what the United Way is going for.
The United Way of Will County announced its goal for
the 2008-2009 campaign, and it is coming in one dollar over the
$3,985,0001 all-time high set last year.
Jim Roolf, the president of First Midwest Joliet
Banking Center, is chairing this year's campaign. With the United Way's
goal being just $1 more than what the organization raised last year,
Roolf spoke of the value of one and the importance to maintain our
communitywide level of giving to United Way.
"During these difficult economic times, everyone is
facing challenges," Roolf said. "We recognize these challenges, and thus
the importance to maintain what we're providing to the United Way.
"The need continues to grow in Will County and it is
vital that the 46 partner agencies be able to continue providing the
crucial services to our community by way of our support to United Way,"
he said.
Mike Hennessy, the president and chief executive
officer of United Way of Will County, was pleased that Roolf agreed to
serve as the chairman for the 2008-2009 Campaign.
"First Midwest Bank and its employees have been one of
our top contributors to our local United Way for many years," Hennessy
said. "Jim Roolf is such a caring and giving person, he truly leads by
example. I am confident Jim will lead our United Way of Will County
Campaign Team to reach new heights, which will benefit the residents of
Will County."
United Way of Will County is a local, not-for-profit,
community-based organization. Each year United Way of Will County raises
need funds to support the programs and services provided by
not-for-profit agencies throughout Will County.
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BOLINGBROOK -- Borders Bookstore
definitely can be called a
Superstore after announcing its
decision last week to collaborate
with the United Way of Will County
to give back books to some of the
neediest youth in Will County.
The
Bolingbrook Borders Superstore is
currently hosting a spring book
drive, ending May 3, with the goal
of donating more than 400 books to
three of Will County United Way's
partner agencies: The H.E.A.R.T.
Organization of Bolingbrook, and The
George Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club
and the Spanish Community Center,
both in Joliet.
Brand-new books are being purchased
at the Borders Bolingbrook location
by customers, which then will be
donated by the store to the agencies
in order to promote "a renewed
interest in reading for pleasure"
which in turn strengthens youth
literacy skills.
"Giving the right book to the right
person is the ultimate giving
opportunity," said Jessica Martinek,
of the United Way of Will County.
"Books can be so powerful in
transforming and building our future
when they are placed in the hands of
those who will benefit from them
most."
All
donated books will be sorted by the
United Way of Will County and
donated among the three partner
agencies, according to book content
and age appropriateness.
"Thank you for caring enough to give
the gift of reading back to our
youth here in Bolingbrook," said
Joann Robinson of the H.E.A.R.T.
Organization. Located in
Bolingbrook, The H.E.A.R.T.
(Helping, Enriching, Advising,
Reaching & Teaching) Organization
assists juveniles ages 11 to 18 in
achieving judicial compliance. The
group also helps the youths using an
educational program to teach them
juvenile law and consequences,
social skills training and anger
management, with program goals aimed
at deterring the child from
re-offending. For more information,
contact H.E.A.R.T. at (630)
226-8742.
Michelle Cottrell, of the Joliet
Boys and Girls Club, said, "This
donation will greatly diversify our
facility's new after-school program
library room." The George Werden
Buck Boys and Girls Club is located
in Joliet and serves boys and girls
ages 6 to 18 through after-school
and summer programs that provide for
the social, educational, health and
character development of its
members. For more information, call
(815) 723-3434.
"Our Pre-K day care programs will
directly benefit from the new
books," said Andy Mihelich, the
Spanish Community Center's interim
executive director. The Spanish
Community Center provides bilingual
social services, food pantry,
immigration assistance, licensed day
care and job opportunities. For
information, call (815) 727-3683.
"Borders Bookseller & Event
Coordinator Bill Ezrin has been
doing a fabulous job raising
awareness to all our customers about
this important book drive," stated
Lynn Nulicek, general manager for
the Bolingbrook Borders location.
"In the first week alone, we've
collected over 200 books."
To
help with the book drive, go to the
Borders Bookstore in Bolingbrook,
161 N. Weber Road (next to Meijer at
the intersection of Boughton and
Weber). Browse their selection of
books or simply ask any employee to
suggest a book that is currently
available for donation to kids
living in Will County. The drive
ends May 3. |
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Local people
help United Way collect more than $3.8 million
2007 CAMPAIGN
March 30, 2007
By
BRIAN STANLEY Staff
Writer
JOLIET -- The "angels"
made it with a little to spare.
The United Way of Will
County announced it raised $30,250 over its $3.8 million goal at the
celebration banquet to conclude the 2006-07 fundraising campaign
Thursday.
"To many ... you are
angels who provide help to people when they need it most," Master of
Ceremonies Jim Murphy told the crowd of around 350 people who gathered
at 176 West. "Your unselfish commitment makes this community a better
place for everyone to live."
"It was a lot of hard
work for a lot of people to reach this goal," said Campaign Chairman
Mike Hanrahan.
"As the county grows, so
does the (United Way) agencies' needs. Surpassing this goal is a credit
to the companies, organizations and people of Will County who
contributed to this very worthy cause," Hanrahan said.
The United Way of Will
County provides funding to 45 local not-for-profit organizations.
"Statistics show one in
four people will reach out to one of our agencies this year," said
Michael Hennessy, President of United Way of Will County.
People were the
recurring theme of Thursday's program. In addition to recognizing many
volunteers and former chairpeople, the organization paid special
recognition to two area leaders.
Joliet Grade School
Superintendent Phyliis Wilson was honored for her year as United Way of
Will County Board of Directors Chairwoman, and First Midwest Bank of
Joliet President James M. Roolf received the Roger Osman Award for
Distinguished Volunteer Service.
"I am honored to help
the United Way and I'm humbled to receive this award," Roolf said.
"United Way is about
people," Hennessy said. "The people we serve and the people who
volunteer their time, money and resources to have a positive impact on
their communities."
Anyone interested in
becoming involved with the United Way of Will County can call (815)
723-2500 or visit their Web site at www.unitedwaywillcounty.org.
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