Crayons, Compassion & Community: My First Month at United Way

August 19, 2025

Crayons, Compassion & Community: My First Month at United Way

Before I had a login or a desk, I got a text from our CEO, Katie Koglman:
“There’s a gap. We need to help.”
Some of the usual programs that support local kids with school supplies couldn’t do it this year. These organizations do incredible work all year long, but this time, the need was clear and we stepped in.
We couldn’t wait.
We gathered school supply lists. We reached out to teachers and staff. We asked: What’s missing? How can we help?
And then something amazing happened: our community didn’t just respond they burst into action like a pack of neon highlighters, each one illuminating in their own special way.
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Why It Mattered
This wasn’t just about handing out pencils and glue sticks. It was about making sure no child walked into school feeling left out, unprepared, or unseen. It was about ensuring no family felt ashamed for not being able to afford supplies while waiting for next week’s paycheck or worried about showing up to open house empty-handed.
There were no income requirements. No hoops to jump through. We just wanted to help.
Because while school supplies may seem simple, they carry a powerful message:
“You matter.” “You belong.” “We got you.”
For families juggling tight budgets and long work hours, this kind of support isn’t just helpful, it’s a lifeline.
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The Power of Community
When we opened the notebook of need, our community filled every page with generosity.
🧂 Morton Salt seasoned the school year with kindness. 
🎒 YMCA of Wayne County turned extras into essentials, proving backpacks can carry more than supplies, they carry hope. 
🚚 The Brown Family, Whitaker Myers Insurance, and Friendly Wholesale delivered cleaning supplies like a well-packed care kit, insured with love. 
🏈 The Troyer family scored a touchdown in generosity, showing up at football practice with a car full of heart. 
🏭 Akron Brass / IDEX brought legacy and leadership… plus a little family pride from my coloring contest champion days. 
🥩 Certified Angus Beef served up farm-fresh compassion, moo-ving us with their thoughtful donation. 
🙏 Canaan Apostolic Christian Church added sparkle, like sticky notes of encouragement tucked into every backpack. 
🧼 Always Organized by Design erased chaos with a clean, intentional donation that helped families reset. 
🏦 Commercial Savings Bank budgeted for kindness, filling boxes with steady, strategic support. 
📓 Farmers National Bank contributed with notebook-worthy care, dependable, rooted, and ready to inspire success.
And when the supply list still had gaps, I made a late-night dash to Meijer, where Hunter and Shellie helped me check out and load two carts overflowing with supplies. Back at the office, Kayley stayed up late helping me sort through the chaos, turning a mountain of materials into organized magic.
Each act of kindness was more than just a donation, it was a bold, bright message: "We see you. We’re with you. You’re not alone."
That’s what community does. That’s what love looks like. 
And that’s the kind of magic we get to be part of every day at United Way.
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Beyond the Dollar
Since joining United Way, one question keeps coming up from friends and family:
“So… what does United Way actually do?”
It’s a fair question. For some, United Way is the organization that shows up once a year at your workplace. But we’re so much more than a fundraising campaign.
We’re problem-solvers. Connectors. Helpers. We ask what’s needed, and we show up.
Here’s what that looks like:
- We help kids walk into school with confidence and the tools they need.
- We help families through tough times, especially those who are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet.
- We help empower nonprofits to launch bold, life-changing ideas.
- We help connect the dots when no one else can.
We’re not a distant office in a big city. We are your United Way.
Boots (and sometimes heels) on the ground in Wayne and Holmes Counties. Rooted in this community. Powered by the people who love it.
When you support United Way Wayne and Holmes, you’re not just giving to an organization. You’re investing in your neighbors. Your schools. Your community.
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Living My Values
Looking back on my first month, one thing is clear: I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Showing up. Listening. Lending a hand. Not just as a mom. Not just as a neighbor. But now, through my work, I get to live out my values every single day.
This is more than a job. It’s a calling. A chance to help my community in ways that matter.
That’s what United Way is all about. That’s what our team here does. And I couldn’t be prouder to be part of it.
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Want to Help? Here’s How
If this made you think, “I want to be part of that,” you already are.
Helping doesn’t have to be big or flashy. Sometimes it’s showing up. Sometimes it’s sharing an idea. Sometimes it’s just asking, “What do you need?” and gettin’ it done.
Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Volunteer Your Time – Join us at events, lend a hand behind the scenes, or share a skill. Every hour makes a difference.
- Donate What You Can – Every dollar stays local and helps meet real, urgent needs in Wayne and Holmes Counties. [DONATE HERE]
- Share This Post – Awareness fuels action and the more people who know, the more we can do.
- Make a Connection – Know a business, school, church, or group that wants to help? Introduce us. One connection can spark something big.
- Share Your Ideas – See a need? Have a creative way to help? We’re listening and we love bold, community-driven ideas.
- Be a Champion – Talk about United Way. Share our mission. Help others see the impact. Your voice matters.
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Let’s Connect
Want to learn more about United Way, our mission, and the incredible community partners doing amazing work in Wayne and Holmes Counties?
📞 Give us a call at 330-264-5576 
📧 Shoot us an email at info@uwwh.org or ashley@uwwh.org 
🌐 Visit our website at www.uwwh.org
We’d love to hear from you and we want to help. 
Let’s keep building something beautiful, together.

One Flat Tire Away: The Reality For Working Families in Our Community

By Katie Koglman • May 5, 2026
One Flat Tire Away: The Reality for Working Families in Our Community By: Ashley Hershberger Around Holmes and Wayne Counties, people are doing what they’re supposed to do. They’re working. They’re showing up. They’re trying to get ahead. And still, far too many of our friends and neighbors are one flat tire, one home repair, or one unexpected bill away from falling behind . At United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties, we hear this story all the time… from families, employers, school staff, churches, and local businesses. The problem isn’t effort. It’s that when something goes wrong, there’s just not much wiggle room. Who Is ALICE? You might hear our team talk about ALICE . It sounds like data, but it’s really the people we know: coworkers, parents from ball practice, folks sitting next to us at church and our own family members. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed . In plain terms: people who are working, but still can’t quite afford the basics. That includes things like housing, food, transportation, childcare, and healthcare. Here’s what that looks like in our community: Holmes County 31% of households are ALICE 9% live in poverty Wayne County 26% of households are ALICE 11% live in poverty That means 40% of households in Holmes County and 37% in Wayne County are living at or below the basic cost of living . These families aren’t avoiding work. Many are working full‑time, sometimes multiple jobs, and still making tough choices: Fix the car or pay the electric bill Buy groceries or fill a prescription Pay for childcare or turn down a better job That’s not bad decision‑making. That’s a math problem. What Household Survival Budgets Tell Us United Way uses Household Survival Budgets to understand what it actually costs to live. Not get ahead, not save… just cover the basics. When you add it all up (rent/mortgage, utilities, food, childcare, gas, healthcare, and taxes) a lot of working families simply don’t earn enough to keep up. Wages haven’t kept pace with real life costs, especially in areas like ours where getting to work often means getting in a car that you yourself are responsible for. That’s why so many hardworking people fall into the ALICE category, even while doing everything “right.” (See example budgets below)

The Day Off That Opened My Eyes

By Kayley Cox • April 6, 2026
The Day Off That Opened My Eyes I took the day off to chaperone my son’s Kindergarten field trip: fun, sweet, and honestly pretty exhausting. After dropping him back at school, I ran to the grocery store. At the checkout, the cashier asked how my day was going. I laughed and told her I was a little tired from keeping up with a group of five-year-olds all day at the field trip. She smiled and said she understood. She had recently retired from a local school district, and then she shared something that made me pause. Despite having worked all those years, she couldn’t afford to stay retired. She was still too young for Medicare, and health insurance premiums were simply unaffordable without additional income. Even with Social Security survivor benefits from her late husband, she was struggling to get by. So, she returned to the workforce. And she’s not alone. Far too many older adults are finding themselves in similar positions: forced back into work not because they want to, but because our systems leave them with no choice. Rising healthcare costs, gaps before Medicare eligibility, and limited fixed incomes mean many retirees simply cannot cover their basic needs. This wasn’t just a conversation in a grocery store checkout line. It was a reminder that the people who spent decades serving our communities, teaching, caregiving, supporting essential services, often face their own unseen challenges. We can do better. We have to do better. If this story resonates with you, here are a few meaningful ways you can help create change: 1. Support organizations helping older adults access healthcare and financial stability. United Way Wayne and Holmes partners with dozens of local nonprofits to support seniors who have nowhere else to turn. 2. Advocate for policies that protect affordable healthcare, strengthen Social Security, and support aging with dignity. Your voice truly matters. 3. Check in on retirees in your life. A simple “How are you really doing?” can make all the difference. 4. Get involved. Volunteer, donate, or share this message. Every action counts! Our older adults deserve more than scraping by. They deserve dignity, stability, and the ability to enjoy the retirement they worked for. Let’s work together to make that a reality.  For information about how to donate to help our Older Adults in Wayne and Holmes, go to uwwh.org, email us at info@uwwh.org or call (330) 264-5576.

You Don't Know, What You Don't Know

By Kayley Cox • March 5, 2026
You Don’t Know, What You Don’t Know At United Way, one of the most meaningful parts of my job is helping community members discover the resources that already exist to support them. Holmes and Wayne Counties are filled with compassionate organizations and services ready to help, but too often, people simply don’t know where to start. That’s where WHIRE/211 comes in. And although 211 has been in our community for over 60 years, many people still have no idea it exists. If you’ve never heard of 211, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have, and yet, I constantly hear these same reactions when I mention it: “Wow, I had no idea.” “This was so informative.” “I wish I knew this sooner.” 📞 What Is 211? 211 is our local, 24/7 resource hotline. With just one call to 211 or the direct line (330) 263-6363, you’re connected to a live, compassionate operator who can guide you to essential services in our area. Whether you’re looking for: 🥫 Food assistance 🏠 Housing support 💼 Workforce development 🧠 Mental health services 🚗 Transportation help 👶 Childcare options …or any other community resource, 211 is your starting point. And the best part? It’s anonymous and available 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 (or 366 if leap year) days a year. 💬 Why Awareness Matters I’ve spoken at schools, met with nonprofits, and presented to local businesses. And every time, I’m reminded of how powerful awareness can be. People are genuinely surprised to learn how much help is just one phone call away. So many resources that our own community members don’t know exist. That’s why spreading the word about 211 is so important. Whether you’re a community leader, a neighbor, or someone simply looking for help, knowing about 211 can make all the difference.  📣 Help Us Share the Message If you’ve used 211, tell someone about it. If you haven’t, save the number. And if you’re part of a group, organization, or business that serves our community, consider inviting United Way to share more about how 211 is a free resource right in our community. To schedule a brief presentation or meeting about WHIRE/211, contact me at kayley@uwwh.org Because you don’t know what you don’t know, but now that you do, share it. The more we know, the more we can help, and the stronger our community becomes.
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