By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
John Barker may be new to volunteering for the United Way of Crawford County but he proved that time is just a number when it comes to something you really care about.
Barker was named the United Way’s Volunteer of the Year for the 2014 campaign.
”It’s really a surprise,” Barker said after the 2015 United Way of Crawford County (UWCC) annual meeting Monday night. “I did it because I enjoy volunteering for a great organization and I told them I’d volunteer for other events this year. It was really a total surprise.”
Barker had not been volunteering for the local United Way for very long but he certainly made an impression on former UWCC Executive Director Amber Wertman, who laughingly fought off tears as she introduced Barker to the assembled crowd.
Barker said he and his wife had started volunteering for UWCC within this last year and already have plans to continue their charitable ways.
“My wife and I are both going to be more involved this year,” Barker said.
The Bucyrus YMCA was named the Agency of the Year for creating Fitness Fun Fridays, which had been held at Millennium Park in Bucyrus as a way to get kids and their families involved in fitness activities. The Top 5 Award had been given to Ohio Mutual Insurance Group, The Timken Company, General Electric, Crossroads Original Designs, and ESCO Bucyrus. The Creativity in Caring Award went to Donley Ford of Galion and Goodwill Industries while the 100 Percent Award was given to Dostal & Kirk. Lifetouch, WQEL/WBCO, and A-1 Printing received the Gifts-In-Kind Award.
A highly successful 2013 campaign led to an increased goal of $315,000 for the 2014 campaign year but UWCC felt short of that goal for the past year as it came in at $280,000.
“While we fell short, we understand the economy is slowly coming back and we want to be as realistic as possible with our goals,” said Executive Director Barb Glowaski.
The 2015 campaign goal has been set at $300,000. The campaign will kick off the week of Sept. 6.
“We think this goal is achievable and necessary for us to meet since our partner agencies aren’t receiving funding from as many sources as they have in the past,” Glowaski said. “It’s our job as United Way, and as a community as a whole, to get them the resources they need to continue to help make a difference in the quality of life in our communities.”
Upcoming fundraising events for the UWCC include the 2nd Annual UWCC Golf Outing on June 13, Designer Bag Bingo on Sept. 12, and the OSU/Michigan Tailgate at Avita on Nov. 28. More information about the United Way of Crawford County can be found at www.unitedwaycrawfordcounty.org.