LIVING UNITED

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2012, ISSUE II

UNITED way Of CENTraL OhIO STrENGThENS VOLUNTEErING EffOrTS

NEw ONLINE TOOL, ExpaNDED EVENTS CONNECT MOrE pEOpLE TO VOLUNTEErING OppOrTUNITIES
United Way of Central Ohio has strengthened its efforts to connect more people with more opportunities to help our community through volunteering. United Way recognizes that volunteering is a great way for people to learn more about the needs in our community, and get handson experience in helping address them. There are plenty of opportunities for people to improve lives and strenghthen our community, and United Way is dedicated to ensuring that every person who wants to make a difference in Education, Income, Health and Home through volunteering gets the information they need to take action. Here are some of the key ways United Way is supporting volunteering: for groups of at least five people who wish to work together on a service project. Information on how to sign up will be available later this spring at liveunitedcentralohio.org.

Volunteer United: On February 21, United Way launched a new web-based, easy-to-use tool that connects individuals with year-round volunteer opportunities to strengthen our community. Volunteer United specifically targets volunteer opportunities that directly align with United Ways strategies and our communitys Bold Goals in Education, Income, Health and Home. Additional community volunteer opportunities are available through resources provided by HandsOn Central Ohio, a partner to United Way. On-site Volunteer Opportunities: Designed for our corporate partners, these opportunities provide employees with a way to make a difference without even leaving the office. Examples include food drives or collections for critically needed shelter items. Projects are matched with employees skills and expertise. For more ideas and for assistance customizing an on-site volunteer opportunity that is perfect for your team, contact Matthew Yannie at matthew.yannie@uwcentralohio.org or 614.241.3084.

200Columbus Community Care Day, and much more: Community Care Day has traditionally been central Ohios largest one-day volunteering event, and this year it will expand to a full 18 days of engagement and become the premier volunteering event of the entire bicentennial year. This special 200Columbus edition will begin in August and culminate on September 11. United Way is currently working with the City of Columbus and many other partners to rally thousands of volunteers for a series of events that will be a testament to the spirit of community service that sets Columbus apart. To help accomplish this, for the first time ever, Community Care Day will be open to the general public

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COMMITTING TO ThE DrEaM

Participants in the Commit to the Dream event enjoy an activity that illustrated the many interests and connections they share.

On Martin Luther King Day, United Way of Central Ohio held its first-ever Commit to the Dream event to help potential mentors learn more about mentoring and how it can change the life of a young person. 44 adults used their holiday to attend and make the event a great success. Adults engaged in deep, energetic discussions about the power of mentoring and youth openly shared their experiences. More than half of the adults who attended committed to changing a young persons life, and many signed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters to begin the process of becoming a mentor. United Way worked with five partners on this event and will organize more Commit to the Dream events in the future to help more people learn about mentoring.

prESIDENTS UpDaTE
Without volunteers there would be no United Way. Its really that simple. We always have been and always will be a volunteer-driven organization, and that is one of our great strengths. Millions of people around the world have joined the United Way movement motivated by the fundamental and powerful idea that when we come together to understand and confront the issues that face our communities we can create dramatic change. With this in mind, your United Way of Central Ohio has been stepping up our efforts to engage more volunteers in the work we accomplish together in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Home. We have launched a new online tool, Volunteer United, that connects volunteers to opportunities to help. We hope that this tool will be used not just by current members of the United Way family, but by those who are new to our work. I know from personal experience that the bonds formed through volunteering are strong and enduring, and that there is no better way to show people the kind of impact they can have on our community. We are also highlighting the great need for a very special kind of volunteer mentors. Our Commit to the Dream event on Martin Luther King Day, was just the beginning. In the future, we will build on the success of this event that brought potential mentors together with youth who could benefit greatly by having a caring role model in their lives. We know that mentors can make a tremendous difference in the lives of young people and help them succeed, and we will do our part to reduce the very long waiting lists prospective mentees now face. And in this bicentennial year for the City of Columbus, we are expanding our signature volunteering event, Community Care Day, to be the premiere volunteering event of the bicentennial calendar. By reaching out to the general public for the first time ever, we will mobilize more people and connect them to our work. These are all important pieces of our overall efforts to inspire people to get involved and work together to help our community achieve its Bold Goals. Without volunteers there would be no United Way. But with the many hundreds of volunteers who lead our movement, and with the enthusiasm of the new volunteers who will join us this year and in the future, we will remain a vibrant force for advancing the common good. Sincerely,

Janet E. Jackson President and CEO United Way of Central Ohio

19Th aNNUaL ChaMpION Of ChILDrEN SIGNaTUrE EVENT fEaTUrES COMpELLING DISCUSSION, hONOrS ChaMpIONS
More than 400 guests, including community leaders and education experts, gathered at COSI on February 7 to show their support of Franklin Countys youth at the 19th Annual Champion of Children Signature Event. The hour-long televised program featured a panel discussion on the report, Franklin Countys Children: a look at their lives in and out of the classroom, created by Learn4Life, Champion of Children and Community Research Partners. The local experts in education who served as panelists are Tanny Crane, President and CEO, Crane Group; The Honorable Eric Fingerhut, Vice President, Education and STEM Learning, Battelle; Dr. David Harrison, President, Columbus State Community College and Dr. Thomas Tucker, Superintendent, Worthington City Schools. This was followed by an awards ceremony to honor the 2012 Champions of Children. Patrick Losinski, Chief Executive Officer of The Columbus Metropolitan Library, was presented with the 2012 Champion of Children Individual Award, and Action for Children was presented with the firstever Champion of Children Nonprofit Organization Award, which was accompanied by a $5,000 check, courtesy of Chase.

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Left to right: Jeff Cullman, Board President of Action for Children, and Patrick Losinski, Chief Executive Officer of The Columbus Metropolitan Library, with their awards.

Linda Kass, Champion of Children founder and chair of the Advisory Committee, opens the program.

LIVING UNITED

GEOrGE MEaNy EVENT hONOrS OUTSTaNDING SErVICE

pENN NaTIONaL GaMING EarNS afL-CIO COMMUNITy SErVICE awarD
On March 22, the 53rd George Meany Awards Banquet recognized local business and labor leaders who have given outstanding volunteer service to the community. This event, hosted by Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO and the United Way Community Services Department, is the largest labor recognition of its kind in the country, and illustrates United Way of Central Ohios strong and longstanding partnership with labor organizations. More than 370 people attended the gathering where Penn National Gaming was honored with the AFL-CIO Community Service Award. This award recognizes the contributions Penn National Gaming has already made to our community, and their commitment to continue their support through economic development and charitable giving, said Walt Workman, Executive Director, Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO. The company is providing thousands of good jobs during the construction of Hollywood Casino Columbus, and will continue to provide much-needed jobs on the West Side when the casino begins operations this year. At Penn National Gaming, we have a deep commitment to the communities in which we operate, said Eric Schippers, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Penn National. Receiving this award is a distinct honor for us, and we think it sends a message to the central Ohio community as to the kind of corporate citizen and good neighbor we intend to be for many years to come. The casino going up on the West Side is a great example of what happens when corporations such as ours, organized labor, and community leaders work together for the benefit of all. In 2012, Penn National partnered with United Way of Central Ohio and its general contractor Smoot Construction to implement an innovative fundraising campaign during construction of Hollywood Casino Columbus. The Penn National Gaming Foundation has pledged up to a $10,000 match of funds raised by United Way of Central Ohio during the course of the construction project. The company has also committed to conducting a United Way campaign once the casino is in operation. Penn National will open two new casinos in Ohio this year Hollywood Casino Toledo in late May, and Hollywood Casino Columbus later this year, creating a total of 3,200 new permanent jobs in Ohio. The company is investing $400 million on Columbus West Side, and $320 million in Toledo.

Left to right: Scott Saunders, Assistant General Manager of Hollywood Casino Columbus and Eric Schippers, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Penn National, receive the 2012 AFL-CIO Community Service Award from Dave Caldwell, President of the Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO and Jack Heinzman, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of Columbus/Central Ohio Building Trades Council.

2012 hONOrEES
2012 George Meany Award:
Tony Jones, President, Teamsters Local 413 This award is given to a local labor union member whose leadership and voluntary commitment through the labor movements community services programs have made a significant contribution to the community.

2012 Community Service Award:

penn National Gaming, Inc. The AFL-CIO Community Service Award is given to a community volunteer whose leadership and involvement has made a significant contribution to the community.

2012 Central Ohio Scout Award:

robert J. wall, Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 The Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO Scouting Awards are local recognitions presented to male and female union members for outstanding service to youth through the programs of the Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

2012 Youth Services Award:

west high School Link Crew, Columbus City Schools The Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO Youth Services Award is given to a student or group of students who have voluntarily given their time to help others in the community.

LIVEUNITEDCENTraLOhIO.OrG

LEaDErShIp GIVING
CapITaL wOMEN Of DISTINCTION hONOrED
On March 7, United Way of Central Ohios Womens Leadership Council, YWCA Columbus, The Womens Fund of Central Ohio and The Columbus Metropolitan Club honored 18 remarkable women leaders as the first-ever Capital Women of Distinction. These inspiring women were chosen because they have been trailblazers with decades of service who have shaped and advanced central Ohio. Their legacies will continue in many areas like the arts, education, politics, medicine, mental health, human services, women and childrens rights, and business. Each honoree received a personalized signed print of the painting Fields of Laurel by local artist Marti Steffy. The Steering Committee for Capital Women of Distinction includes: Mary Frances Restrepo, Mary Jo Green, and representatives from The Columbus Metropolitan Club, The Womens Fund of Central Ohio and the YWCA Columbus. On March 8, The Columbus Metropolitan Club held a special luncheon discussion featuring three of the honorees: Barbara Fergus, Glenna Watson and Catherine Willis.

United Way of Central Ohios Leadership Giving groups offer the opportunity for donors to learn more about how their contributions are helping improve lives in central Ohio, develop meaningful service projects and network with fellow donors.

Capital Women of Distinction (left to right): back row, Catherine Willis, Floradelle Pfahl, Glenna L. Watson, Les Wright; front row, Mary Lazarus, Judy Garel, Elizabeth M. Ross, Barbara Fergus and Loann Crane. Honorees not pictured: Cecilia Cullman, Sylvia Goldberg, Phyllis Greene, Marcia Herrold, Nancy Jeffrey, Katherine LeVeque, Teckie Shackelford, Ann Isaly Wolfe and Mary Miller Young.

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Left to right: Janet Jackson, Jane Scott, Mary Frances Restrepo, Nichole Dunn and Elfi DiBella.

Left to right: Barbara Fergus, Glenna Watson and Catherine Willis participate in the a CMC panel discussion with moderator Fred Andrle.

Honoree Marcia Herrold.

LIVING UNITED

COMMUNITY

BUILDER

yLG CELEbraTES 20 yEarS Of GIVING

In 1991, a group of young donors who wanted to be more involved with the work of United Way of Central Ohio, and encourage other young people to become engaged with community service and philanthropy, formed the Young Leaders Group, or YLG. These young donors included leaders like Tanny Crane, Jeff Edwards and Roger Sugarman, who have remained strong supporters of United Way. The concept was simple: YLG was made up of individuals or households age 45 or younger who give an annual gift of $2,500 or more. The idea took off and today YLG has more than 400 members and has raised more than $45 million over its 20-year history. One of the innovations that YLG developed was the fast-track option that allows members to make a 3-year graduated pledge of $1,500 in the first year, $2,000 in the second year, and $2,500 in the third year while realizing all of the benefits of membership in YLG immediately. YLG developed regular networking gatherings built around compelling events like the openings of major new restaurants and venues like Nationwide Arena. The giving group also added an education component by creating the YLG Educational Roundtable Series, which features prominent community leaders at a monthly luncheon speaking about their professional and philanthropic development. In 2000, with the strong support and encouragement of campaign chairs Les and Abigail Wexner, YLG membership increased significantly. This increase, combined with the creative approach the group had taken in its activities, gained YLG national attention within the United Way system. YLG was held up as a national model and its path to success was shared with many United Ways across the country. In 2001, YLG co-chair Jim Coleman outlined YLGs approach at United Ways national conference. The Wexners also began a YLG tradition by hosting an annual recognition event featuring a national speaker. This event has become the highlight of the YLG calendar, and offers a great opportunity to honor the commitments of YLG co-chairs and members. YLG also launched an annual recognition, The Robert S. Crane Jr. Young Philanthropist Award. This prestigious award honors a member of YLG who demonstrates the utmost concern for health and human service work through both gifts and service. This years recognition event will celebrate not just YLGs accomplishments over the past year, but over its 20-year history of innovation in giving. To learn more about YLG, please contact Tracy Sharp at tracy.sharp@uwcentralohio.org or 614.241.3082.
YLG Co-Chair Dennis Duchene and his son enjoy the 2011 Leadership Giving Tailgate Party. Brandon Dupler, principal, Dupler Office, received the 2006 Robert S. Crane, Jr. Young Philanthropist Award. Pictured left to right: Leslie Wexner, Janet Jackson, Brandon Dupler, Abigail Wexner.

Teri Berliner, Jacqueline Taylor, Brian Hall, Donna Hall, Jessica Goldman and John Jolley at the YLG Fall Kick-Off Rally in 2007.

UpCOMING

A Tocqueville Leadership Conversation: The Policy of Poverty April 26, 2012 YLG Annual Recognition Event June 14, 2012

EVENTS
LIVEUNITEDCENTraLOhIO.OrG

For more information contact Denise Rehg at 614.227.2764 or denise.rehg@uwcentralohio.org For more information contact Tracy Sharp at 614.241.3082 or tracy.sharp@uwcentralohio.org

Cinquefoil Appreciation Event at COSI April 24, 2012

For more information contact Tammy Brown at 614.227.8703 or tammy.brown@uwcentralohio.org

FOCUS ON INCOME
ThE fraNkLIN COUNTy EITC COaLITION LaUNChES SaVENOw pLUS
The Franklin County EITC Coalition, with generous Franklin County EITC Coalition support from The Chase Foundation, launched a pilot of SaveNOW Plus at the St. Stephens Community House, Central Community House and Godman Guild volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sites in 2012. SaveNOW Plus is a savings account designed to help VITA clients develop regular savings habits. Taxpayers who have their returns prepared at participating VITA sites have the opportunity to open a SaveNOW Plus account with a portion of their tax refund.
earn it. keep it. save it.

eitc

This program builds on SaveNOW, an initiative of the Ohio Treasurer of State, that promotes saving by offering savers a three percent interest rate bonus on the average daily balance of a SaveNOW account. The accounts are offered through partner banks, including PNC. Savers receive quarterly financial education newsletters and, after completing a financial education assessment, receive the interest bonus on the average daily balance (up to $5,000) at the end of the first and second year of holding the account. Maintaining an emergency savings account and building assets is one of the best ways to safeguard a family from financial instability.

Unfortunately, the daily financial demands on low- to moderate-income individuals create a significant barrier to building and maintaining an emergency savings account. Data shows people want to save. In 2010 and 2011, Franklin County EITC Coalition clients were asked how do you plan to use some of your tax refund? The third most popular response after utility bills and mortgage or rent was savings. Tax season, when Franklin County VITA clients receive an average tax refund of nearly $1,500, provides a unique opportunity to talk about savings goals, discuss opportunities for improved financial habits, and connect people with ways to help them meet their goals.

rEpOrT fINDS COaLITIONS wOrk EffECTIVE

The nonprofit, non-partisan research institute Policy Matters Ohio has issued a report on the work of the Franklin County EITC Coalition, finding its efforts to be very effective in helping hardworking low- and moderate-income households get the refunds they deserve and need to become and remain financially stable. The report analyzed the Coalitions free tax preparation services and surveyed more than 400 Coalition clients. Findings include: The Coalition is helping new people claim tax credits and helping people avoid exploitative fees: roughly one-quarter of clients paid for tax preparation in prior tax seasons and 15 percent did not file in the previous year; The project is satisfying customers: roughly 40 percent of clients were return customers; The effort is relieving poverty: nearly one in three clients received the EITC, the nations largest poverty relief program; The coalition is growing: there were 2,327 EITC claims over the last two years, bringing more than $3.3 million into the community. Since 2007, the Coalition has more than doubled its total prepared returns, growing by 79 percent over five years; Despite this growth, the project still serves a fraction of the community; The project is using technology well: 92 percent of returns were e-filed, a higher rate than most coalitions around the country. In 2011, the Coalition prepared 3,692 tax returns resulting in $4.6 million dollars in refunds and savings of $923,000 in savings to taxpayers who did not use a paid preparer.

SUpEr rEfUND SaTUrDay a SUpEr SUCCESS!

The first-ever Super Refund Saturday, held at Columbus Downtown High School on February 4, was a tremendous success. 71 volunteer tax preparers completed 240 Federal returns and 226 State returns by far the most ever in one single day at one site. The Franklin County EITC Coalition partnered with the Ohio Benefit Bank, AARP and local financial institutions for the event, which significantly increased the capacity to provide free tax preparation in early February when demand is highest.

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Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks talks with free tax preparation clients on Super Refund Saturday.

LIVING UNITED

UNITED way NEwS

CITy Of COLUMbUS INVESTS IN COLUMbUS kIDS
A $250,000 amendment to the 2012 City of Columbus Budget, sponsored by Council President Andrew J. Ginther and Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Finance Committee, will help Columbus Kids: Ready, Set, Learn continue its mission of ensuring all children enter the Columbus City Schools ready for success. Councilmember Tyson announced the investment at an event at the Columbus Early Learning Center Northside where the evaluation report of Columbus Kids two years of progress was released. She was joined by Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Gene Harris and Janet Jackson. A key component of the recommendations of the report urges increased partnerships with the community and this budget amendment is a perfect way for the City to participate in getting our children ready for school, said Tyson. This amendment is an investment in the future of Columbus.

------------------------------------------------------------------Online Extra: ------------------------------------------------------------------Download the full Columbus Kids progress report here. -------------------------------------------------------------------

Left to right: Janet Jackson, Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Gene Harris and Columbus City Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson.

UNITED way fOrMS ONLINE ENGaGEMENT COMMITTEE

United Way of Central Ohio has gathered some of the best online experts in our community to help develop strategies and determine best practices for engaging donors, advocates and volunteers online. The committee has already begun an audit of all of United Ways online communication tools and refined key areas like social media outreach and website analytics. This skilled and enthusiastic group will help United Way engage more people in the increasingly important area of online communications.

SpECIaL INVESTMENT SUppOrTS EffECTIVE TEaChING

The video Effective Teaching in a 21st Century Franklin County Middle School gives a fascinating look into the effective teaching methods used at Phoenix Middle School in Worthington, and the art and science of teaching. It was shown to more than 400 guests, including many community and education leaders, at the 2012 Champion of Children Signature Event on February 7 at COSI, where it received an enthusiastic reception. To further the excellent work done at Phoenix Middle School to advance education in central Ohio, United Way invested $500 in a special gift for the school.

Online Engagement Committee Co-Chairs, Melissa Wirrig, Head of Relationship Marketing, METTLER TOLEDO and Ryan Bauer, Senior Adviser for Experiential Marketing, Interpublic Group.

Worthington Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Tucker and 2011 Ohio Teacher of the Year Tim Dove accept a special gift of $500 from Janet Jackson.

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LIVEUNITEDCENTraLOhIO.OrG

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------360 South Third Street

Columbus, Ohio 43215-5485

ONLINE ExTraS
The LIVING UNITED newsletter is now an even better source of news about United Way! We have added online extras that link readers directly to videos, event registrations, and much more. Just download the digital version of the newsletter at liveunitedcentralohio.org, you will get all of the online extras, and you can take LIVING UNITED with you on your laptop or tablet computer wherever you go.

LIVING UNITED
Cindy and Steve Rasmussen will co-chair the United Way of Central Ohio 2012 campaign. Steve Rasmussen is Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide, one of the strongest national corporate partners of the United Way movement. Cindy Rasmussen has extensive experience as a community leader and volunteer. We are excited to begin our work on the 2012 campaign, said Cindy Rasmussen. We look forward to educating more people about the important work of United Way and helping central Ohio continue its longstanding tradition as one of the most generous communities in the country. One of the many things that make central Ohio a great community is how people come together to give, advocate and volunteer through United Way, said Steve Rasmussen.

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CINDy aND STEVE raSMUSSEN TO LEaD 2012 UNITED way Of CENTraL OhIO CaMpaIGN
In Columbus bicentennial year we will continue that great tradition of improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Nationwide has twice received United Way Worldwides highest national honor the United Way Spirit of America Award to recognize the companys outstanding commitments to philanthropy, volunteerism, workplace giving and overall partnership with United Way. Brian A. Gallagher, United Way Worldwide President and CEO, has called Nationwide, a model of corporate social responsibility in action. In 2011, Nationwide associates, agents and retirees pledged more than $7.7 million to nearly 800 United Ways. The pledges are matched dollar for dollar by the Nationwide Insurance Foundation, bringing the total amount to more than $15 million. Since 2000, Nationwide associates have pledged $80 million to United Way.