The United Way of Hancock County held its annual campaign kick-off at the University of Findlay's Koehler Center, using the reality show "Dancing With the Stars" format to tie in with this year's campaign theme, "In Reality."
The evening featured a dance competition between 14 couples, each team representing a local United Way partner agency. While some of the couples provided whimsical dance interpretations, the majority of the teams' partners were accomplished dancers, many of whom have taken years of lessons.
The couples danced the waltz, the cha-cha and the swing.
Winners of the competition were Bev Phillips and Larry Sammet, representing the Red Cross. Second place was awarded to Jack and Kay Spearman, dancing for Open Arms and the Salvation Army, and third place was given to Bob and Jeanne Rustic, representing the Community Action Commission. Tom and Cathy Smith, dancing for Hope House, received the Mayor's Award. Phillips and Sammet also received the People's Choice Award by garnering the highest amount of donations made in their name during the event.
Campaign chair Eric Kurjan, president and CEO of the Six Disciplines Leadership Center of Northwest Ohio, has set this year's campaign goal at $2.45 million. The Pacesetter campaign total was revealed during the kick-off celebration, with $1,369,885 pledged. Pacesetter pledges are collected through in-house campaigns conducted by numerous local companies. Kurjan said the goal is to have 50 percent of the total campaign goal pledged by the overall campaign's official kick-off, so he is more than pleased with the efforts of this year's pacesetters.
Kurjan said the "In Reality" theme is intended to point out the harsh realities that exist within the community -- situations such as child abuse and lack of transportation -- which can only be properly addressed when programs and services provided by partner agencies are funded
sufficiently.
The annual campaign raises funds which are distributed among the 16 United Way partner agencies.
A raffle for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is also being held to benefit the annual campaign. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold at $30 each. Winners can opt for a $12,000 cash payout. The winning ticket will be drawn Nov. 12 during the Night of Giving event. Tickets are available at Coffee Amici, 328 S. Main St. Findlay Ohio
