United Way of Logan County celebrates 60 years this Saturday

[October 01, 2021]   On Saturday, October 2nd, the community is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United Way of Logan County. The event will take place at 10 a.m. at 120 South McLean Street in Lincoln.

On this same date in 1961, the certificate of incorporation was filed for the United Fund of Lincoln, the predecessor to the United Way of Logan County. The filing was done with five officers listed: Walter Musick, Emil Stahlhut, Charles Purseglove, John McCullough and Marjorie Fuller. The first director for the United Fund was Jane McKinnley (Carroll) and she served a board that was 46 members strong.

In that first year, the United Fund raised $33,688, which enabled the organization to offer financial support to five local agencies or groups that served the community. Those groups included the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Logan County Mental Health.

Now, 60 years later the United Way of Logan County still supports four of those five organizations, along with several others.

In 2021 the funding for the 2022 program year was announced with 14 recipients or partners.

Sixty year partners include:

• American Red Cross Serving Central Illinois

• W.D. Boyce Council Boy Scouts of America

• Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

• The Salvation Army 360 Center – Lincoln Center

Additional 2022 program year partners include:

• Center for Youth and Family Solutions

• Christian Child Care

• CAPCIL Food Pantry Co-Op

• CAPCIL Meals on Wheels

• CAPCIL Transit

• Girls on the Run of Central Illinois

• Lincoln Area YMCA

• Lincoln Pastoral Counseling Services

• Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center

• The Oasis – Senior Citizens of Logan County

On its 60th anniversary the United Way works under the leadership of Administrative Director Patti Becker and a nine member board of directors.

Board members include President Erin Burns, Vice President and Campaign Chair Ashley Welch, Secretary Jaylee Swinford, Treasurer Stacy May, Immediate Past President Beau Anderson and Directors Adrienne Klockenga, Sheila Nelson, Brittney Peterson and Vicky Wachendorf.

Please join Becker and the board in celebrating their 60 successful years of supporting vital local services and programs this Saturday. After the ribbon cut, there will be light refreshments served inside. Guests will have an opportunity to learn more about the programs offered by United Way such as Logan County 2-1-1, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and how to contribute to the work of this great organization.

Hope to see you all there!

[Nila Smith]