Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area Merge to Strengthen Human Services in the Region
September 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area today announce their merger, which will be completed by October 1, 2008, to provide greater efficiency and add more resources to help local residents in their time of need. The new United Way of the DuPage Area will be the largest, most comprehensive in the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago system.
“We initiated this merger as part of our strategic imperative to better serve the people of Naperville,” said Chip Downing, board president of United Way Naperville and divisional senior vice president of Great American Insurance. “Not only does this consolidation add financial and people resources to supporting health and human service programs but it also makes it easier for our agency partners, who are stretched more than ever to provide help to individuals and families in need.”
The Naperville and DuPage United Ways support 30 and 44 agencies, respectively, 21 of which they both share in common; these agencies will now have a central point for funding requests and other support efforts.
“We are thrilled to hear that two of our most important community partners are coming together,” said Carol Simler, executive director of DuPage PADS, a leading agency that is funded by both United Ways. “Each of these United Ways is a leader in our health and human service work and this consolidation will make that work easier, giving us more time for collaboration instead of paperwork. With this streamlining, they can focus more on finding resources, which moving forward, may be one of our area’s most critical issues.”
“By consolidating these two strong organizations, we can streamline operations and devote more donor dollars to touch and improve more people’s lives,” said Walker Geyer, United Way of the DuPage Area board president and managing director of Capital Markets for Paramount Lodging Advisors. “Combining forces frees up staff time from administrative concerns to focus more time and energy on engaging our community to advance the common good.”
According to both United Ways, there is great overlap in the human service issues people in their communities face and the programs that best address them. With demographics shifts, the aging of the population and decreasing government funding adding more pressure for support, this consolidation allows United Way to proactively build resources and partnerships that help the combined communities flourish.
“What changes,” said Mr. Geyer, “is around simplifying processes and eliminating duplication. What doesn’t change is the local nature of our work, improving lives in the same communities we have always focused on.” These communities include Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Itasca, Keeneyville, Lisle, Lombard, Medinah, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Wood Dale, and Woodridge.
Mr. Downing said, “Together, we will invest more than $4 million in local health and human care programs in the coming year. Local volunteers in each of our communities will continue to determine where the funding should be directed based on the priority needs in each community. United Way does not exist without the invaluable leadership of residents like Mayor Pradel who will serve as an honorary board member of the newly merged organization.”
Mr. Downing also confirmed continuation of the annual garden sculpture program that has become a Naperville tradition. The 2008 launch is scheduled for 5:00 PM on May 15 at Edward Hospital where the preview party will feature this year’s sculptures theme, “Garden Party.”
UWDA Announces Kellogg Company as #1 Top Corporate Citizen
February 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Kellogg Company Named United Way of the DuPage Area’s #1 Top Corporate Citizen for 2007
$272,400 Raised for United Way
United Way of the DuPage Area is pleased to announce that Kellogg Company of both Elmhurst and Oak Brook, is once again the #1 Top Corporate Citizen for 2007. This year’s campaign at Kellogg Company was able to raise $272,400 from a combination of employee pledges, corporate matches and a variety of special events they hosted with the proceeds benefiting United Way. This money is going toward the 84 programs and 44 partner agencies United Way funds in the 29 communities throughout the DuPage Area.
“DuPage County is facing some tough challenges and the support of companies in our communities is crucial to us meeting those needs,” said Walker Geyer, UWDA Board President. “For example, in Illinois poverty is moving to the suburbs and in the DuPage area the poverty rate has increased by 101% since 2005. Our area families are feeling a tremendous financial strain and without companies like Kellogg, we would not be able to keep up with the demand to meet the needs facing our communities.”
Including the $272,400 contributed to United Way of the DuPage Area, Kellogg has pledged $4.65 million for its company-wide campaign. Kellogg campaigns around the country will benefit 26 communities.
For more information on United Way, please contact Christine Lewis, Chief Professional Officer at 630.645.6352 or email at clewis@uw-mc.org.
United Way of the DuPage Area’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing caring people to invest in the community where it it needed most. Through community collaborations and program funding, United Way strengthens 29 communities of DuPage County –Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Itasca, Keeneyville, Lisle, Lombard, Medinah, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Wood Dale and Woodridge. United Way of the DuPage Area is a member of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.
United Way Of The Dupage Area Names Board Of Directors
September 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The new board was introduced to the public at its annual meeting, which was held on June 20. Walker Geyer of Wheaton, former vice-president, is the board’s newly elected president. Jerry Broz of Lisle is the new vice-president. Jean Utley of Wheaton is the board’s new Treasurer, and Carole Long of Downer’s Grove remains Secretary.This year’s honorary board members include State Representative Patricia R. Bellock, State Senator Kirk W. Dillard, Mayor of Wheaton Michael J. Gresk, Mayor of Woodridge William F. Murphy, Paul Pyrcik of Central DuPage Health, Regional Superintendent of Education in DuPage County Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti, Mayor of Downers Grove Ron Sandack, William E. Whitney of Hinsdale, and Carson Yeager of Northern Trust.
Other board members for the 2007 year are Jean Baker of Elmhurst, Rob Bisceglie of Roselle, Jon Emerson of Glen Ellyn, Barbara Intihar of Wheaton, Bridget Johnson of Woodridge, Cynthia Johnson of Lisle, Bob Larsen of Wheaton, Sue Luperini of Naperville, Bill Lyman of Elmhurst, Phil Mavon of Western Springs, Nate Paulson of Wheaton, Tim Sheehan of Addison, Phil Smith of Winfield, Rachel Thomases of Wheaton, Don Tomes of Wheaton, and Erin Vaughan of Westmont.
United Way community volunteers channel their community knowledge and commitment to service to make informed program investment decisions that will improve lives and strengthen communities throughout the DuPage area.
