By: Jenni Marsh, President and CEO, United Way of Delaware County—
Muncie, IN – Annually, United Way of Delaware County works with hundreds of volunteers. This makes identifying the recipient of the organization’s highest honor, the Volunteer of the Year award, a difficult task. No one was surprised however, when 2017 Campaign Chair Casey Stanley was awarded the honor—except for Stanley himself.
“Casey thoughtfully, and with full commitment, took on the task of running the campaign,” said Chris Caldwell, UWDC board member and past Volunteer of the Year award recipient. “But more importantly, he did so with a sense of making sure that our message was clearly illuminated across multiple platforms and communities. He intentionally brought individuals under the tent to share with them the importance of our desire to end generational poverty. He reinvigorated our campaign, and with his efforts, he created a new sense of energy about the work of United Way.”
Through Day of Action (a day celebrated by United Way annually as a community-wide volunteer effort), campaign and governance volunteers, and direct service volunteers for reading clubs and tax preparation, United Way interacts with hundreds of people who volunteer their time to improve people’s lives in Delaware County.
“Annually, we look at all those volunteers to find the ones who truly stand out,” explained United Way President and CEO Jenni Marsh. “We’re really zeroing in on those volunteers who give us their all and then ask, ‘What more can I do?’ To those volunteers, we bestow the Volunteer of the Year award—and it is often a tough choice.”
Marsh surprised Stanley with the award at the 2017 Campaign Celebration held on Jan. 4, 2018—where it was announced that UWDC exceeded its $1.2 million goal by raising more than $1.4 million.
At the celebration, she sited Stanley’s countless hours given to the effort. She commended his innovative work to revitalize Kick-Off, engage new audiences and donors, and increase the community’s understanding of the incredible impact UWDC has on changing the trajectory of people’s lives and the community on the whole.
“When we rehearsed for this event, she did not share this portion of her comments,” Stanley quipped, clearly taken aback at being bestowed the honor.
“I’m humbled by the recognition because I care so much about United Way’s work in this community,” said Casey Stanley. “In the end, though, the recognition is merely a reflection of a generous and committed community that is working to make this a better place for our kids–and for all of us. I have been fortunate to have had a chance to serve this place.”
“Having learned from my grandfather, Casey, and my father, Kelly, both of whom chaired successful United Way campaigns, I fully embraced the wisdom that a team is only as strong as the people within it,” Stanley said. “I cannot thank the 24 men and women who worked so hard alongside with me. United, we accomplished something far greater together than we ever could have done on our own.”
To learn more about United Way of Delaware County, the 2017 Campaign, and its impact on the community, visit InvitedToLiveUnited.org.
About United Way of Delaware County
United Way of Delaware County, Indiana engages the community to improve lives by focusing resources on education, health, and financial stability. The nonprofit fights to create lasting change in community conditions. As the sponsoring organization for the community’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, United Way works to help children read at or above grade level by the end of their third-grade year. It is during this critical time that children transition from learning how to read, into readers who learn from what they have read. United Way strategically invests in local programs that provide services that contribute to children’s success with reading and ultimately aim to end generational poverty in Delaware County. Learn more at www.InvitedToLiveUnited.org.