The Tiffin-Seneca United Way (TSUW) celebrated their campaign kick off on Sept. 17 at the East Green in downtown Tiffin and announced the largest goal in campaign history.
The 2022-2023 campaign theme was announced as “Sheltering our community through life’s storms. That’s what it means to Live United.” The aspirational goal was set for $1,200,000.00 with the message being if every working member in Seneca County gave just $1 per week the goal would be superseded, according to the press release.
Through the message of every dollar will count, Chris Lewis mentioned all the methods in which donations could be received and put special emphasis on the new online bill pay system through Harness, an updated online payment processor, which uses text to give or a QR code.
Along with announcing the 2022-2023 campaign cabinet the event featured special entertainment, guests, and some freebies.
Volunteers, spectators, and United Way supporters gathered at the East Green Amphitheater to kick off the 2022-2023 Tiffin-Seneca United Way Campaign. Following the Mayor’s proclamation, TSUW Executive Director, Kari Steele shared a story of a local, terminally ill woman who received support services from First Call for Help and how donations received made a direct impact on her life.
Steele then announced the campaign team, staff, and board members present from United Way. Chris Lewis, campaign chair, Samantha Rumschlag campaign co-chair, and Jose Arias, campaign leader were all present to celebrate. Valerie Zeno, campaign leader was unable to attend but sent her well wishes. United Way Staff members who were introduced included Office Manager, Nikki Distel and First Call for Help Program Coordinator, Abbey Strausbaugh. Board President, David Stover, represented the board of directors while partner agencies were represented by Jennifer Gill - SMYL, Barb Flood - Patchworks House and Diane Culver - Allen Eiry.
Mikayla Ludwig was a featured speaker and expressed her gratitude while sharing her experience of getting help through direct services from First Call for Help, Salvation Army, and Patchworks House. Following the presentation of Ludwig’s journey, Lewis announced several important details of the campaign.
Lewis then announced the band, The Athen Ry out of Findlay, Ohio. The folk-rock band featured Alex Treece on mandolin, Jason Wagner on guitar and harmonica, vocal harmonies by Maria Weigman on violin, Dan Wilkinson on upright bass and Matt Walker on percussion. Closing the event was 14-year-old, Ataiah Foster, a Columbian High School Freshman, featuring accompanist Carter Bennett Producer of TiffinKidz and senior music major at Tiffin University.
In addition to the free concert, sponsored by National Machinery and Thrivent, the event also featured free ice-cream sandwiches and popsicles sponsored by Friends of United Way – Cole Family Foundation, Sutton Bank, Knot Splinters and Hempy Water.
United Way is currently scheduling short presentations so if you or anyone you know would like to donate to the United Way or to learn more, please call Nikki at 419-448-0355 or donations can be mailed directly to United Way, dropped off at 201 S Washington Street, called in over the phone, by scanning the updated QR code, monthly pledges can be given, rounding up a dollar amount is an option, you can asked to be billed/invoiced or make a payment by credit card or debit card online at tiffin-seneca-unitedway.org. Text to give is also new for 2022-2023. Text TSUW to 269-89 to make your pledge. They also suggest signing up for future event e-mail notifications and follow their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.
