United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties Campaign Update

November 5, 2020

United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties is pleased to provide an update to the community on their annual campaign drive that benefits local organizations and programs. United Way of Wayne and Holmes is currently at 57% of their $1.5 Million Dollar goal. The campaign runs until December 31, 2020.

United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties is working around the clock to get donations in the door from both Wayne and Holmes Counties corporate and individual donors. “We are pushing harder than ever before in this year like no other,” said Katie Koglman, the United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties Executive Director. “This community is depending on you more than ever,” Koglman added. “With the season of thanks and giving upon us, we continue to have so much gratitude for our donors and will continue to ask and hope that the holiday spirit pushes people to give in order to help us reach our goal.”

The start of the holiday season brings many community needs. United Way is a wonderful local resource that is currently providing 19 area agencies with funds to support some of the most necessary programs in the communities we serve. Last year, United Way donations helped more than 32,000 people. Meals, shelter, food and clothing were provided to many. Hundreds were assisted with utility assistance and even more with low cost prescriptions. No matter the gift, big or small, United Way makes sure your donation stays local. With eight more weeks in the campaign, please consider a gift, if you haven’t already.

United Way’s campaign runs through December 31, 2020. Their campaign goal is $1.5 Million and they are currently at 57% . Please call United Way to make your pledge, or visit uwwh.org and click on DONATE. You can also text: GIVELOCAL2020 to 44-321, VENMO United Way at: UNITEDWAY-WAYNEHOLMES , call us at: (330) 263-6363 or mail your gift this holiday season to: 215 S. Walnut Street, Wooster, OH 44691. The work of United Way is impossible without the generous support of the communities in Wayne and Holmes Counties.

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Why we stay nonpartisan

By Katie Koglman • October 7, 2026

United We Help: Why United Way Wayne and Holmes Stays Nonpartisan Turn on the television. Scroll social media. Check your mailbox. Election season brings a steady stream of political messages, each competing for our attention and asking us to choose a side. It can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to separate facts from opinions and decide whom to trust. At United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties, we value the trust our community places in us. That is why we want to be clear about our role during elections.We do not endorse candidates, oppose candidates, or tell people whom to vote for. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, we are prohibited from participating in political campaigns for or against candidates for public office. This is a legal requirement , not simply an organizational preference. Our responsibility is to serve Wayne and Holmes Counties and bring people together to help our neighbors. Nonpartisan does not mean silent We see the challenges people face every day: families struggling to afford groceries, workers facing transportation barriers, children needing opportunities to learn, and neighbors searching for mental health support. We have a role in helping our community and policymakers understand those needs. We can share information, educate elected officials, build relationships, and speak up about issues connected to our mission. We can also engage in some lobbying on specific legislation, within the limits that apply to charitable organizations. Speaking up about a community need is different from asking you to vote for a particular candidate. Can we do that? Our “Can We Do That? A Quick Guide to Nonprofit Advocacy” graphic uses a traffic-light approach to explain the difference. Green: Speak up for our community. Share stories, explain community needs, educate policymakers, and encourage civic participation. Yellow: Know the rules. Supporting or opposing specific legislation is lobbying, which comes with limits and responsibilities. Red: No candidate endorsements. We cannot support or oppose candidates, contribute organizational funds to their campaigns, or use our organizational voice to tell you whom to elect. We can encourage people to register and vote, and provide voter information, as long as those efforts remain neutral and do not favor or oppose candidates or political parties. Your vote belongs to you You may hear us discuss hunger, literacy, housing, transportation, or other issues affecting local families. You may see us meeting with elected officials to help them understand what is happening in our communities. Those conversations are about the people we serve. They are not candidate endorsements. We encourage you to ask questions, examine reliable information, learn about candidates, and make your own informed choices. The neighbors who turn to us for help have different backgrounds, beliefs, and political views. So do the donors, volunteers, and partners who make our work possible. Helping our community takes all of us. Election season will come and go. Our commitment to Wayne and Holmes counties continues regardless of the outcome. We encourage all of you to vote, and vote for who you think is the best candidate! Early voting begins October 6, 2026 through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. To find where you should go to vote Click Here. Go VOTE!!