United Way of Union County (UWUC) will kick-off its annual campaign with a food drive at UCO Industries, 16900 Square Drive, on Friday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Residents are invited to drop off non-perishable food items. Businesses, organizations, churches or other groups may work together to collect and have their donation weighed on UCO Industries commercial scale.
The campaign goal for this year is $1,000,052.
“Traditionally we have done a presentation or a tour of partner agencies for our kick-off,” said UWUC Director Corinne Bix. “This year, we wanted to make the kick-off informative, pro-active and fun.”
Food collected will be distributed to United Way local funded partner agencies, The Hope Center and the Marysville Food Pantry. Bix said she wants to prioritize Milford Center and Richwood food pantries first and go from there.
“Our goal is to collect a lot of food so we can give a sizable donation to every pantry in the county,” Bix said.
Megan McCarthy Collins will serve as the campaign chair for the 2021-22 Annual Campaign. She has been supporting United Way of Union County for the past 25 years. In 1996, she made her debut in the organization’s annual campaign video at the age of 9.
Born and raised in Marysville, she and her husband, Jarrod, returned to Union County to raise their two young daughters, Eliza and Mia.
McCarthy Collins said she is proud to be this year’s chair.
“I am passionate about the United Way of Union County because the local programs and agencies they fund ensures a strong community for everyone to live, work, and play,” she explained. “I believe we care for our neighbors and the United Way partner agencies put that care into action.”
McCarthy Collins, a Certified Financial Planner and partner at McCarthy & Cox, added that she is excited to be involved with this year’s campaign. Upon graduating from Ashland University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, she joined the AmeriCorps VISTA program and served with the Cleveland Foodbank in northeast Ohio. McCarthy Collins has led the internal UWUC campaign at McCarthy & Cox for the last several years resulting in a top 10 ranking for the local company.
“I love the United Way,” McCarthy Collins said. “They are stewards of our community’s support and take great care in managing resources for all ages, from youth to seniors. United Way funding expands access to healthcare, emergency housing and economic stability.”
For more information about United Way of Union County, visit unitedwayofunioncounty.org. To register your group or business for the food drive, contact Bix at corinne.bix@unitedwayofunioncounty.org or call the office at 937-644-8381.