Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area Merge To Strengthen Human Services In The Region
May 8, 2008 | 1 Comment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 08, 2008
Contact: Susan Fritz (630) 369-2508
Naperville United Way
Christine Lewis (630)645-6352
United Way of the DuPage Area
Naperville and Oakbrook, IL? Naperville United Way and United Way of the DuPage Area today announce their merger, which will be completed by October 1, 2008, to provide greater efficiency and add more resources to help local residents in their time of need. The new United Way of the DuPage Area will be the largest, most comprehensive in the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago system.
?We initiated this merger as part of our strategic imperative to better serve the people of Naperville,? said Chip Downing, board president of United Way Naperville and divisional senior vice president of Great American Insurance. ?Not only does this consolidation add financial and people resources to supporting health and human service programs but it also makes it easier for our agency partners, who are stretched more than ever to provide help to individuals and families in need.?
The Naperville and DuPage United Ways support 30 and 44 agencies, respectively, 21 of which they both share in common; these agencies will now have a central point for funding requests and other support efforts.
?We are thrilled to hear that two of our most important community partners are coming together,? said Carol Simler, executive director of DuPage PADS, a leading agency that is funded by both United Ways. ?Each of these United Ways is a leader in our health and human service work and this consolidation will make that work easier, giving us more time for collaboration instead of paperwork. With this streamlining, they can focus more on finding resources, which moving forward, may be one of our area?s most critical issues.?
?By consolidating these two strong organizations, we can streamline operations and devote more donor dollars to touch and improve more people?s lives,? said Walker Geyer, United Way of the DuPage Area board president and managing director of Capital Markets for Paramount Lodging Advisors. ?Combining forces frees up staff time from administrative concerns to focus more time and energy on engaging our community to advance the common good.?
According to both United Ways, there is great overlap in the human service issues people in their communities face and the programs that best address them. With demographics shifts, the aging of the population and decreasing government funding adding more pressure for support, this consolidation allows United Way to proactively build resources and partnerships that help the combined communities flourish.
?What changes,? said Mr. Geyer, ?is around simplifying processes and eliminating duplication. What doesn?t change is the local nature of our work, improving lives in the same communities we have always focused on.? These communities include Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glyn Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale, Itasca, Keeneyville, Lisle, Lombard, Medinah, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Wood Dale, and Woodridge.
Mr. Downing said, ?Together, we will invest more than $4 million in local health and human care programs in the coming year. Local volunteers in each of our communities will continue to determine where the funding should be directed based on the priority needs in each community.?
Mr. Downing also confirmed continuation of the annual garden sculpture program that has become a Naperville tradition. The 2008 launch is scheduled for 5:00 PM on May 15 at Edward Hospital where the preview party will feature this year?s sculptures theme, ?Garden Party.?
United Way improves lives by mobilizing caring people to invest in the community where their resources are needed most. People engage with United Way to give, advocate and volunteer in their community to advance the common good. Spanning 30 communities across DuPage County and beyond, United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of health and human service programs in the region. By promoting education, income and health, United Way creates opportunities for people to live stable, healthy and independent lives.
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Naperville United Way Names 2007 Campaign Co-Chairs
August 16, 2007 | Leave a Comment
For immediate release: Contact:August 16, 2007 Susan Fritz
Naperville United Way
Chief Professional Officer
(630) 369-2508
Naperville, Illinois 60540
Naperville United Way Names Campaign Co-Chairs
NAPERVILLE, IL ? Naperville United Way has named Art Littlefield, of Financial Strategies and Solutions Group, and Robert Heap, of Kuhn, Heap and Monson Law Offices, as this year?s campaign co-chairs. They will lead the 2007 annual campaign with a goal of $1,100,000. The campaign begins with the Naperville United Way?s ?Under the Sea? art sculpture auction event on Friday, September 14th. The annual auction event has averaged over $100,000 in campaign revenue over the last 6 years. Littlefield and Heap will look to area businesses and individuals to raise the balance over the next 6 months.
?We are thrilled to provide leadership for an organization that makes a difference in the lives of people who live in the Naperville area,? says Littlefield. ?Naperville United Way studies Naperville?s most pressing needs and has put together a plan to create the most impact by investing in an array of human care programs.?
?We are all fortunate to live in a growing and caring community. The Naperville United Way has been successful in raising monies to invest locally, helping address the many human care issues we have in Naperville,? says Heap. ?Although a wonderful community, Naperville has its own needs and we are working very hard to ensure positive outcomes in the lives of people.?
In 2007, the Naperville United Way invested $900,000 into human care programs, falling short of the $1.7 million in requests from partner agencies. This has left a large gap in funding programs which now do not have the resources to fully support the needs of Naperville residents. ?It is very important that Naperville has a healthy network of human care programs,? says Heap. ?I believe we all have a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate.?
For more information, contact Susan Fritz at (630) 369-2508 or visit www.napervilleunitedway.org
Naperville United Way Elects New Board Members
June 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESusan Fritz
Deena Manna
Naperville United Way
(630) 369-2508
Naperville United Way Elects New Board Members
(Naperville, IL?June 18, 2007) The Naperville United Way board recently elected new board members. The Naperville United Way announced the election of Keith Beckmen, Ruth Cross, Stephen Daeschner, Scott Klein, Robert Perna and Bobette Soltau.
These six new board members come from varied backgrounds.
- Keith Beckmen is the Regional President of Harris Bank in the Naperville market.
- Ruth Cross served as Assistant Superintendent for Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and plans to retire the end of June.
- Stephen Daeschner is the new Superintendent of Schools for Indian Prairie School District 204.
- Scott Klein is a CPA and is the founder and managing partner of Klein, Hall & Associates, LLC.
- Robert Perna is Associate General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of International Truck and Engine Corporation.
- Bobette Soltau is a long-term volunteer of the Naperville United Way and an associate at Resources Global Professionals.
Slated officers for the 2007-2008 term are Chip Downing as President, John Schmitt as Immediate Past President, Stephen Frost as President Elect, Pepper Erdmann as Secretary, and Len Monson as Treasurer.
Leaving Naperville United Way are outgoing board members Howie Crouse, Bruce Hanson, Dave Hilderbrand, Kitty Ryan, and Mike Sandfort.
The mission of the Naperville United Way is to improve people?s lives by mobilizing the caring power of Naperville. For further information contact the Naperville United Way at (630) 369-2508.
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Naperville United Way
29 S. Webster Street, Suite 106B
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 369-2508
www.napervilleunitedway.org
Naperville United Way continues to make waves
June 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Naperville United Way continues to make waves Naperville, IL ? This summer, you don?t have to vacation at the seashore, just stroll through downtown Naperville to catch a glimpse of ocean life. Since June 1, a menagerie of sea creatures has wandered on shore to populate downtown Naperville. But there are more to come! The popular Naperville United Way sculptures, this year themed ?Under the Sea,? continue to be installed throughout Naperville, bringing the grand total to 41 dolphins, sea turtles, mermaid and sea horse birdbaths and mermaid clam chairs.
This is the seventh year for the sculptures that are auctioned to support a broad range of programs benefiting Naperville residents. The fundraising gala will be held Sept. 14 at the Signature Room.
?The artists are hard at work, putting the finishing touches on their beautiful artwork,? said Naperville United Way Executive Director Susan Fritz. ?We?re so pleased to receive community support and we?re looking forward to a great summer.?
A complete guide to where the sculptures are located, the titles of the artwork and the artists will be available in a few weeks.
The mission of the Naperville United Way is to improve people?s lives by mobilizing the caring power of Naperville.
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