United Way of Delaware County http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org Live United Fri, 04 May 2012 04:10:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Visit at United Day Care with Carol Johnson http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/visit-at-united-day-care-with-carol-johnson http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/visit-at-united-day-care-with-carol-johnson#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 04:10:56 +0000 Maggie Hamilton http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/?p=316 It’s Maggie again! I recently had the pleasure to visit the United Day Care in Muncie. There I not only got to meet with Carol Johnson but I also was given a tour and was introduce to many of the adorable children that United Day Care watches over.

It was easy to tell that Carol was very appreciative of United Way. She believes that the day care fits well into all aspects of United Way’s mission, income, health, and education.

Carol then emphasized her favorite part about United Way, all the different partnerships that come with their commitment. One specific example she provided was the Lions Club coming into the day care and giving free vision screenings. A poor toddler did not pass the vision screening but with the funds provided by United Way, United Day Care and Lions Club were able to provide this little girl with a prescription for her eyes. She loves that United Way is helping every child at the day care one step at a time.

The United Day Care is committed to helping not only the child but the family as a whole. They are able to do this with the way they welcome each and every person that walks in their front doors. When I walked in their earlier this week I never felt out of place. I felt as if I knew all these children for more than a few minutes.

Another thing that touched my heart was when I received my tour. I got to meet each employee in all of the different rooms. The way that all the employees looked at each of the children melted my heart. It was easy to see that they were more focused on them than anything else going around and they would do anything for each and every child.

In the end, I was incredibly lucky to be able to meet the employees at United Day Care. I can’t wait to spend more time with them in the upcoming year. Thank you United Way for changing the lives of these children along with mine as well.

 

]]> http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/visit-at-united-day-care-with-carol-johnson/feed 0 Our visit at the Alpha Center with Connie Hacker http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/our-visit-at-the-alpha-center-with-connie-hacker http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/our-visit-at-the-alpha-center-with-connie-hacker#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 19:15:52 +0000 Maggie Hamilton http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/?p=313 My name is Maggie Hamilton and this past week I was able to go visit the Alpha Center here in Muncie. While I was there I had a great sit down conversation Connie Hacker. Not only did I learn a lot about the Alpha Center as a company but also how us at United Way have helped them accomplish their goals.

A brief overview of the Alpha Center, their primary goal is to offer the elderly of Muncie the opportunity to learn and be an active participant both individually in their lives and also be part of group interaction.They are able to accomplish this goal by providing the elderly with continuing education, daily newspapers with discussions and crossword puzzles, monthly health education speakers, PowerPoint presentations on different cultures throughout the world, and field trips through the community.

Connie could not have been more appreciative of the work we do at United Way. She got very sentimental when she came forward with a story of a personal impact United Way has made on one of her clients. This client was not able to be helped by the Alpha Center immediately because he hadn’t reached the age necessary for enrollment. This being said, he had a difficult life for the next few years, living on low income, if any. When he was finally able to enroll at the Alpha Center, the funds provided by United Way were the only way the Alpha Center was able to get this man back on his feet. Connie remembers they were exceptionally low on funds that year and if it weren’t for United Way they would have had to turn this man away from the Alpha Center. He thanks the Alpha Center and United Way every day.

“United Way has been like a back bone to us here at the Alpha Center,” Connie would emphasize a few times throughout our conversation. She has been very grateful that the Alpha Center has continued to be chosen to be a partner with United Way and would not change that for the world.

The Alpha Center is an important aspect to our community. Just by walking into their building I was able to feel the love and endearment each employee had for not only their job but the elders that they work with. They all know there that they are changing lives, not only their clients but also their own as well.

I was so touched with how welcomed I felt at the Alpha Center. Not once have I felt more wanted in a place than there. I will never forget that feeling and I will never forget the Alpha Center as a whole.

]]> http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/our-visit-at-the-alpha-center-with-connie-hacker/feed 0 Terri and Denby of First Merchants Bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/terri-and-denby-of-first-merchants-bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/terri-and-denby-of-first-merchants-bank#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:20:55 +0000 Maggie Hamilton http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/?p=308 We are very pleased to have had these two wonderful employees from First Merchants Bank be a part of the United Way campaign this year. Terri and Denby have shown tremendous determination for the causes brought forth by the United Way campaign. They have incredible heart and display what it is like to truly care for ones community.

Thank you Terri and Denby for showing us what a community that loves and cares for one another really is.

Please take this moment to view the videos below and see how these two feel about our campaign.

Terri of First Merchants Bank

Denby of First Merchants Bank

]]> http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/terri-and-denby-of-first-merchants-bank/feed 0 Brian and Dixie of First Merchants Bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/brian-and-dixie-of-first-merchants-bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/brian-and-dixie-of-first-merchants-bank#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:31:02 +0000 Maggie Hamilton http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/?p=303 Today we would like to send a big thank you out to Brian and Dixie of First Merchants Bank for all they have done not only for First Merchants Bank but also for all of us here at United Way of Delaware County. We have been incredibly lucky to be able to work with these two throughout our previous campaign.

The drive and determination Brian and Dixie have to better their community is uplifting. They always put others first and are significant role models in our community.

So again, thank you Brian and Dixie for everything you do. None of it goes unnoticed.

Please take this moment to few their stories in the videos posted below.

Brian of First Merchants Bank

Dixie of First Merchants Bank

]]> http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/brian-and-dixie-of-first-merchants-bank/feed 0 Torey and Mike of First Merchants Bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/torey-and-mike-of-first-merchants-bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/torey-and-mike-of-first-merchants-bank#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:05:00 +0000 Maggie Hamilton http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/?p=298 This year United Way of Delaware County had the pleasure of working with Torey and Mike from First Merchants Bank. First Merchants Bank is full of employees with big hearts and caring hands and these two are a prime example.

Without the effort put forth by Torey and Mike the campaign this year would not have gone as far as it had. They truly care for their community and it’s clearly shown through their effort in this campaign.

Please take a few moments to view their thoughts on First Merchants Bank and United Way in the videos posted below.

Torey of First Merchants Bank

Mike of First Merchants Bank

]]> http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/torey-and-mike-of-first-merchants-bank/feed 0 Jack and Erin of First Merchants Bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/jack-and-erin-of-first-merchants-bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/jack-and-erin-of-first-merchants-bank#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:16:35 +0000 Maggie Hamilton http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/?p=274 We would just like to take this time to thank Jack and Erin of First Merchants Bank for the efforts they put forth this year with the United Way campaign. If it weren’t for them our campaign would not have been as successful as it was.

We are so excited to work with them in the future and would like for everyone to take this time to view the videos posted below to witness their thoughts and experiences with First Merchants Bank and United Way.

Thank you Erin First Merchants Bank

Thank you Jack First Merchants Bank

]]> http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/jack-and-erin-of-first-merchants-bank/feed 0 My Experience with First Merchants Bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/my-experience-with-first-merchants-bank http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/my-experience-with-first-merchants-bank#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:23:19 +0000 Maggie Hamilton http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/?p=268

My name is Maggie Hamilton and I am a marketing intern at United Way of Delaware County. Recently I have had the privilege to spend some time with their company of the year, First Merchants Bank.

Just in the past few weeks I made a trip to the First Merchants Bank office to interview and get to know the employees that really make a difference in this community. While I was there not only did I get to hear some incredible stories but I also got to learn more about the employees that have gone above and beyond for not only United Way but their community as well.

I believe that I was incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to meet these amazing people. Many have experienced or are experiencing their own hardships but still find room in their hearts and busy schedules to put others in the community first. Seeing their faces light up when they spoke about all the things that they were a part of and contributed to really showed me that each and every employee does this for their community not for their own self gratification. I have yet to meet a selfish employee at First Merchants Bank and I doubt I ever will.

It’s obvious to see why First Merchants Bank was named the Company of the Year this year. They put all of their heart not only into the United Way initiatives but also in to the community as a whole. I believe that the community has become a better place because of First Merchants Bank. I know that I can speak for many in the community when I say, thank you First Merchants Bank for making our home feel more like a home.



 

]]> http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/my-experience-with-first-merchants-bank/feed 0 First Merchants Bank Named “Company of the Year” http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/first-merchants-bank-named-company-of-the-year http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/first-merchants-bank-named-company-of-the-year#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:19:57 +0000 Qiana ONeal http://blog.invitedtoliveunited.org/?p=257 Company of the Year Photo

Congratulating from left to right: Back Row Center: Larry John, UWDC, Board Chair, Gary Chenault, President/CEO UWDC, Brian Haughn, Steve Selby, Indiana Association of United Ways Board Member, Kevin Kenyon, UWDC Board Member 2nd Row: David Forbes, Robert Connors, John Martin, Michael Rechin, President/CEO First Merchants Corporation, Mike Stewart, Scott McKee 1st Row: Evelyn Goode, Kim Ellington, IAUW- Director, Abby Daugherty, Erin Sylvester, Ilese Hoyniak, Qiana ONeal, Marketing Director UWDC

First Merchants Bank was named “Company of the Year” by United Way of Delaware County at the 2012 United Way and Funds Volunteer and Company of the Year Awards Banquet held February 21st at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel, Indiana.

First Merchants Bank is the epitome of what it means to LIVE UNITED. They are the true definition of their motto: The Strength of big, The Service of small. At First Merchants, community commitment is more than just mere words. It’s how they do business. First Merchants has provided more than 1.2 million dollars in financial contributions within our community. More importantly, First Merchants has provided support to employees as they give of their time, talent and treasure to programs and organizations that make this community home–especially United Way.

 

“Their “above and beyond” attitude has been an inspiration to the United Way of Delaware County as, despite harsh economic downturns, we watched them not only increase their workplace campaign participation and giving by over 36% this year, but also watched them invite others to LIVE UNITED through volunteer efforts,” said Qiana ONeal, UW Director of Marketing and Communications.

First Merchants unites the caring power of community through supporting United Way initiatives such as Bank On Muncie—an initiative to connect more Delaware County families to local financial institutions; Tools for Schools—a community initiative spearheaded by Hearts and Hands to give school supplies to needy families and the United Way Day of Caring—a community wide volunteer effort, to name a few.

“We are so proud to be recognized as the Company of the Year by United Way of Delaware County. We are especially proud of the group of people that head up the campaign at First Merchants. We are even more proud that First Merchants has been involved in United Way since its inception in Muncie, Delaware County,” said Jack Demaree, Vice Chairman of First Merchants Bank.

“This year’s campaign was a success because of the united approach to work together.  I LIVE UNITED because I believe that people in the community make a difference together.  Our employees dug deep in their pockets because they really wanted to help. That, to me, spoke volumes about the people I work with,” said Evelyn Goode, Vice President/Credit Process & Risk Specialist and First Merchants workplace campaign coordinator.

United Way of Delaware County is a non-profit organization whose mission is to unite the caring power of community to improve lives. We salute First Merchants for all of their efforts and support of United Way and their exemplary enthusiasm for LIVING UNITED.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out our VLOG on Youtube.com/liveunitedmuncie

 

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