United Way of Putnam County to celebrate 40th anniversary

The United Way of Putnam County will celebrate its 40th Anniversary on Feb. 17. The United Way, along with its sponsor DePauw University, will host its Annual Meeting and Dinner at the Walden Inn and Conference Center. The organization will also take this opportunity to recognize the founding Board of Directors and Members of the United Way of Putnam County. Honored guests will include Harry Moore, Jim Poor and Richard Sunkel.

The celebratory evening will kick-off with appetizers and a cash bar beginning at 5:30 p.m. The annual meeting will begin promptly at 6 p.m. and will be followed by dinner at 7 p.m. At the conclusion of dinner, there will be dancing, with Jason Hartman of Sound Investment Productions providing the music.

The 40th Anniversary celebration will honor the history of the United Way of Putnam County which began in the summer of 1967. On July 17, 1967, Ben Cannon, Richard Sunkel and Robert O'Hair met at 12 S. Jackson St., Greencastle, and agreed that steps should be taken to form the United Fund of Putnam County. The three organizers agreed that the fund would serve as a way to provide a means for the raising of funds in the united appeal for the operating expenses of community accepted local, state, regional and/or national charitable, health, welfare and recreational agencies. The United Fund of Putnam County was officially incorporated on Aug. 18, 1967. The first meeting of the Board of Directors of the United Fund of Putnam County met and elected the following members: president James Poor, vice president Morris Hunter, vice president Kenneth Eitel, treasurer Rex Thorlton, secretary Mrs. Lawrence Goodhue, public relations committee chairman James Cook, and allocations and admissions committee chairman Harry Moore. Other board of director members included E.H. Collins, William Cook, Phillip D. Elliott, Glenn Flint, O.B. Foster, Clarence Hamilton, Robert Hamontre, Arthur G. Hansen Jr., Dr. William Kerstetter, Murray Lewis, William Long, Fred L. O'Hair, Fred Pease, Dr. Joseph Rammel, Mrs. Ernest Roth, Byron Snyder, Mrs. J.L. Stamper, Simpson Stoner, Dale K. Teaford, George Messinger, Sam Hostetter, Noram Hill, Ben Hoover and Will Burt. In 1975, The United Fund of Putnam County changed its name to the United Way of Putnam County as the organization is now known today.

Anyone interested in attending the event or wanting more information about the organization should contact Cathryn Ensley at the United Way of Putnam County, 2 S. Jackson St., P.O. Box 365, Greencastle, 46135, or call 653-5638 or e-mail unitedway@airhop.com. Tickets for the event are $30.