United Way highlights emotional success stories amid $4.1M campaign

It seemed fitting that Three Dog Night’s classic hit “Joy to the World” was part of the United Way of Bartholomew County’s annual meeting soundtrack Tuesday afternoon at The Commons in downtown Columbus. Because a world of joy permeated the proceedings to celebrate the local nonprofit’s successful $4.1 million fundraising campaign.

And it was a campaign completed under not only the economic strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the challenge of mostly online business and corporate campaigns that normally thrive on the in-person, emotional heartbeat of United Way’s very personal touch to help clients, often with severe, eleventh-hour needs of food, jobs, health care and more.

The gathering before an estimated 300 people overflowed with emotional stories of once-struggling clients finding independence via a host of United Way agencies working together, or as the agency’s slogan proclaims, “living united.”

In fact, that slogan was spelled out in giant letters on The Commons stage. It represents way more than dashing decor, according to Cathy King, United Way’s community impact director.

“We all really do work closely together,” King said, adding that many clients with multiple needs use the services of as many as 15 United Way programs to get needed help.

Among those clients who has progressed from struggling to successful is local resident Casey Absher. She came to certified United Way agency Sans Souci about five years needing clothes and a job. In time, a financial coach with United Way program Money Strong helped her find a way to save money, Foundation For Youth hooked her up with affordable child care, and others linked her with health care. Plus, the Individual Development Account program, in conjunction with Centra Credit Union, helped her get a car.

“It made me feel great that I had their support,” Absher said of Sans Souci and others in a video story presented at the meeting.

United Way President Mark Stewart told the crowd something that feels even greater. Absher couldn’t be at Tuesday’s gathering as planned because she was traveling on business with her employer — Amazon.

Seems Absher was in Mississippi to help train new managers.

“Is that incredible or what?” said a visibly excited Stewart.

Also among those once-struggling clients with a new life is local resident Nathan Wilson, who suffered from medical and financial problems so tough a few years ago that he was sleeping in his car before United Way intervened and smoothed out his life. But within a few years, he fell into old habits and job loss again while battling physical health issues and while fighting for mental stability.

“I’ve now learned to deal with all that on a day-to-day basis,” Wilson said in a video story, referring to counseling and other assistance he accessed via United Way agencies.

And he’s learned to succeed. Chuck Wells of Overhead Door gave Wilson a job twice — once in 2017 before he was let go because of problems that Wilson said were self-inflicted. But then, Wells gave Wilson a second chance a year later and rehired him.

“Now that Nathan has been back, his performance has been stellar,” Wells said in the video clip, adding that Wilson is his top technician.

Plus, with the help of people such as United Way’s King, Wilson’s credit score has climbed from a literal zero to 700 in eight years — and Wilson now is planning to buy a home.

Such stories gave extra emphasis to United Way board chair Kim Bennett’s remarks under the theme of “it takes a village” during the program.

“I have a village,” Bennett said, referring to family helpers and others. “But, what if I did not? One is a lonely number, and an overwhelming number when life throws challenges our way.

“United Way is a village to those who do not have one. The services they provide, not only help support people to getting to self-sufficiency, but also provide immediate support to help individuals get through extremely difficult situations.”