UW surpasses fundraising goal
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Borders to donate books
United Way celebrates Community Caring Day

United Way surpasses fundraising goal

JOLIET -- It was a close call, but United Way of Will County was able to reach its campaign goal and surpass it by raising $3,990,957 -- almost $6,000 past its goal.

As of Monday, Mike Hennessy, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization, said they had not reached its goal of $3,985,000 which was just a buck more than they raised the previous year.

"It is going to be a challenge to meet before Thursday's celebration event. We have been going back to a number of workplaces that implemented their campaign earlier in the year to respectfully make another friendly ask to their employees," he said Monday.

As a result, new contributions graciously came to United Way, Hennessy said.

"We are so grateful to a very generous and giving community. A community that understands that the requests for assistance made to our partner agencies have grown and were willing to do all they could to help," Hennessy said. "We are so blessed.

"We respectfully asked employees who had not given in the past to their United Way workplace campaign if they could give just $1 per pay period. Many responded to this request," he said.

"We had new companies step forward to help -- both through making a corporate gift and implementing an employee campaign," Hennessy said. "Just a great deal of hard work by so many wonderful persons in our community who believe in our United Way and our 46 partner agencies."

"It was amazing to think last year was a record year and to think we topped that with a new record in an extraordinary economic climate we are in," Roolf said earlier Thursday. "I'm blown away, excited, pleased, but blown away."

The United Way staff and volunteers have done an outstanding job in a year that has been economically challenging for everybody, Roolf said.

"I think the agencies are seeing continuing increases in demands for services they provide," Roolf said. "People who never thought they would be homeless are finding themselves in a homeless situation or, in need of a food basket or medical care. One of the 46 United Way agencies is in the position to help them."

Roolf was optimistic that they could raise more, reaching the $4 million mark by June 30 when the campaign closes out. They would only need an additional $9,043.

If nine companies agreed to do $1,000 more or if nine new contributors each offered $1,000, they could make it, he said.

"A series of folks could decide to put in a $100 more and all of a sudden you are at $4 million," Roolf said.

Mary Jaworski, vice president, of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was recognized for her year of service as chairwoman of the United Way's board of directors.

Mark Wilson, senior account manager/facilitator for Dale Carnegie Training, was the recipient of the Roger Osman Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service. The Citgo Petroleum Co. and Exxon Mobil Refining and Supply Co. were both presented with the Frank Turk Sr. Outstanding Campaign Achievement Award for their outstanding workplace campaigns and other volunteer commitments for United Way. Roolf was recognized for his outstanding leadership as campaign chair.

United Way of Will County's top 10 supporting companies and employee groups this year were: ComEd and Exelon Company raising a total of $410,145; Exxon Mobil Refining and Supply Company, $288,858; Caterpillar Inc., $243,047; United Parcel Service, $220,088; Citgo Petroleum Corp., $182,171; Illinois Tool Works, $211,458; Chicago Bridge & Iron, $118,818; Provena Health, $86,185; AT&T, $80,750; and Will County, $80,750.

To donate or for more information about the United Way of Will County, call the office at 815-723-2500 or visit www.uwwill.org.

United Way sets fundraising goal

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.

Borders to donate books

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.

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.