New board members announced at United Way dinner

Monday, March 15, 2010
The Hamm trio entertains diners at the United Way dinner Saturday evening.

GREENCASTLE -- Five new directors were introduced during the annual United Way dinner Saturday evening at the Walden Inn. David Berry, Sharon Bone, Lisa Clark, Mark Nogelmeier and Dr. Isaac Case are the newest directors for Putnam County United Way.

They join fellow board members David Bohmer, Amber Bowers, Craig Chrispell, Therese Cunningham, Ben Dulaski, Georgenna Gick, Tom Graffis, Matt Hertenstein, Marcia McKelligan, Amanda Meyers, Kelly Ness-Perkins and David Zeiner.

Officers for 2010 were also elected during the meeting. Graffis was named president, Bohmer is vice president, Cunningham is the secretary and Kerry Ames is treasurer.

Before leaving the podium, Chrispell talked about the great job Executive Director David English has done with the organization.

"David English loves this community. He has a passion for his job and really promotes his agencies," said Chrispell.

"I also consider him my friend and am looking forward to sharing a game of golf and a cigar when the weather gets better," he laughed.

English told the group he was proud of the year's campaign.

"We ended the year with $159,300. That's 91 percent of our goal. That's due to folks here in the community and our agencies. There are 63 United Ways in Indiana and only nine of them made their goal last year," said English.

"Last year, we had a goal of $145,000 and exceeded it making $165,000 for the year. We were a little more ambitious in 2009 by setting our goal at $175,000 for the year. But I'm extremely pleased with all we did," added English.

Making a special presentation for the evening was DePauw Art Professor Meredith Brickell, who has joined with the United Way to combat hunger with a program called "Putnam County Empty Bowls."

Community members are invited to several locations including Greencastle, Russellville and Bainbridge to create ceramic bowls.

"It's a collaborative effort. One person may start a bowl, another might fire it and another may glaze it. There will be a lot of hands in each bowl," explained Brickell.

On May 8 there will be an Empty Bowl community picnic at Robe Ann Park where the community is invited to join friends and neighbors for a meal served in the bowls.

"At the end of the meal, participants can take home a bowl to keep in their homes as a reminder of hunger that exists in their community. Attendees are invited to contribute canned food or a cash donation to support the United Way of Putnam County Food and Shelter organizations," she said.

For information about the bowl making workshops, visit putnamcountyemptybowls.webs.com or contact Brickell at 658-4340 or by email at meredithbrickell@depauw.edu.

The project is hosted by the Community-based Art Projects class and supported by a Scholarship of Engagement Faculty Grant from the Indiana Campus Compact and the United Way of Putnam County.

English announced another fundraiser at the dinner. A raffle for a one-week trip for two to the Cayman Islands is underway. Winners of the tickets will be announced at the 2011 Annual Dinner.

The trip includes airfare and lodging for two people. Passports are required and people must be ages 21 years or older to participate. Tickets are $5 each.

The United Way is waiting for a gambling license from the State of Indiana for the raffle, but is accepting requests for tickets with payment for them to be made later after the license is granted. Contact the United Way for a form to order tickets. Their office is located at 2 S. Jackson Street in Greencastle. You can call them at 658-5638 or email unitedway@airhop.com.

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