Karen Nall: United Way of Grundy County has been helping improve lives for 70 years

It’s important in life that we pause to celebrate successes once in a while. We get so busy in our daily lives that before we know it, another year has gone by – another birthday, holiday or anniversary. When you stop to reflect on the years gone by, you realize just how far you have come.

I think back to when I started as executive director of the United Way of Grundy County – I had a lot to celebrate. In September, I celebrated year five. I come from a background of more than 25 years working in nonprofits. This experience gave me the skills to be where I am today, doing what I love at an organization that positively impacts the lives of others.

United Way of Grundy County, founded in 1946, will be celebrating 70 years in Grundy County. There have been many changes over the years but one thing has remained – our mission to “help improve lives.”

It began as the Community Chest in 1946 with a group of local individuals who came together to make a difference. The campaign goal was $1,800, which supported three local nonprofit agencies. In 1970, the name was changed to United Fund Inc. The campaign goal was $61,454. By that time, more individuals joined the Board of Directors, additional agencies were supported and more residents of Grundy County received services. In 2002, the name was changed to the United Way of Grundy County. The campaign goal was $330,192, which supported 21 local nonprofit agencies due to an increased need for services.

Now we are approaching our 70th anniversary. Our campaign goal is $525,000 and currently we support 32 local nonprofit agencies. There are 16 members of the Board of Directors. These local community members are volunteers who demonstrate great passion, dedication and support for our mission. In addition, advisory and special events committees made up of volunteers work on specific tasks, which assist us in meeting our goals, and a core group of volunteers continually assists us whenever help is needed. I am grateful for all the boards of directors, committee members and volunteers from the past to our present for their dedication to our United Way.

Lastly, and most importantly, over the past 70 years our donors continue to be true philanthropists in every sense of the word. Without the support from the community, our United Way would not be able to “help improve lives.” The annual campaign money raised stays local. It is because of our donors that we are able to support a variety of programs and services in Grundy County. Many of our donors have given to our campaign for more than 10 years, 20 years and some more than that. From businesses and companies to employees giving through payroll deduction to individuals in the community, our donors are the reason we are able to celebrate 70 years in Grundy County.

So as we pause and reflect on the last 70 years, we celebrate everyone who gives back by dedicating their time, talent or treasure to help make Grundy County a great place to live and work! For more information call 815-942-4430, visit our website at www.UWGrundy.org and find us on Facebook.

• Karen Nall is the executive director of the United Way of Grundy County. Community Pulse is a weekly column for Grundy County-area nonprofits, schools, organizations and Morris Herald-News staff to share information.