Category: Article Mentions

Yeshwant Sanzgiri Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign. 

Yeshwant Sanzgiri, Director, CMC Projects at AbbVie, volunteering as a guest reader for United Way of Lake County’s Reading Success Program.

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

I had a strong desire to share and contribute whatever I could to the community, which has given me and my family a very good environment to live in. After being in the area for a couple of years and learning more about United Way, I felt that getting involved with their activities would be the easiest way to learn more and have a broader impact. United Way makes volunteering very easy! I hope to continue and increase my involvement in the future, even after my professional career comes to an end.

Which of United Way’s programs do you connect to most and why?

Having had the benefit of a good education and giving the same to my kids, I connect most to United Way’s overall mission, which emphasizes the importance of early education. My involvement with grant screening for United Way’s Safe and Stable Families Program was also very meaningful to me.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

I feel that stable and self-sufficient families are at the core of a well-balanced, compassionate and caring society. Anything we can do to promote strong families and well-educated citizens is a worthwhile investment in our community. United Way provides a great and measurable way to show our community that we care.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Jim Stolzenbach Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign. 

Pictured: Jim Stolzenbach reading a Dr. Seuss book to students at Glen Flora Elementary School on Read Across America Day (March 2, 2018).

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

I first learned about United Way through the employee giving campaign at Abbott Laboratories and then at AbbVie. The ability to contribute to a deserving charity through a convenient payroll deduction seemed like an excellent way to support deserving organizations. Before joining the giving campaign, I conducted some research on the participating charities. United Way quickly rose to the top of my list. I was interested in United Way because it was a charity working in our local area, ensuring that any contributions would benefit communities near me. Also very important to me was the focus of the organization on educational opportunities for children in need and support for their families. As I became more familiar with the organization, I also wanted to commit some of my time to support its programs.

What aspect of United Way’s work do you connect most with and why?

I support all of United Way’s programs but the one I feel the most passionate about is the effort to ensure that young children in our community learn how to read even if they are economically disadvantaged. Reading has always been a great source of learning and enjoyment for me as long as I can remember. It’s a skill that lasts throughout one’s lifetime. One of the great things about reading is that it can be shared with others. I fondly recall reading to my children when they were young and still appreciate knowing they enjoy reading as adults. Reading is the point of entry for any educational effort and is a fundamental skill essential for being a successful citizen. I enjoy participating in United Way’s reading programs for children because I think it is important for every child to achieve high-level reading skills. I also think it’s fun to read to a classroom and to enjoy the book with the children. I believe that if we can encourage children in our community to read, we can help them on their way to be better citizens able to contribute to our society.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

I believe United Way’s mission should be supported because of the focus on our local community and the long-term commitment to help disadvantaged children and families. I am very confident that the contributions I give to United Way are dedicated to assisting families in need in Lake County. The focus on education is important because it allows those receiving assistance to ultimately take control of their own destinies. I am afraid that without organizations like United Way many of these families and children would not be able to compete in our society successfully.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Bill Pappano Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign. 

Pictured: Bill Pappano, Biology Group Leader at AbbVie, with his two sons. 

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

My wife has worked at United Way of Lake County for 10 years. I continue to be inspired to give because of the stories of families in need in our community. I remember hearing about young elementary students showing up to school in the middle of winter without any socks or boots.

I am also inspired to give because of the stories of success. I remember the story of a co-worker participating in United Way’s Reading Success program, who helped a young student dramatically improve her reading skills so she could read at grade level.

What aspect of United Way’s work do you connect most with and why?

We have two school age children who have grown up in a house that is overflowing with books. It is hard to imagine that there are children within miles of where we live who do not have any children’s books in their home.

I know the advantage that an education gives a child in life. President Obama once said, “A child’s course in life should be determined not by the zip code she’s born in, but by the strength of her work ethic and the scope of her dreams.” I appreciate the work United Way does to give every child a chance to succeed and achieve their dreams.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

United Way identifies and tackles our community needs in a way that leads to measurable and lasting change for children and their families.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Chris Sardi Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign. 

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

I was approached about the opportunity to serve on United Way of Lake County’s Finance Committee several years ago and I viewed it as a great chance to contribute my time as well as my years of finance experience to a very worthy cause right here in our own backyard. My exposure to United Way’s staff and programs, which I’ve gained through my committee involvement, has further convinced me of the tremendous community value provided by this organization, made possible by thousands of generous Abbott and AbbVie donors United Way relies upon for continued support.

Which of United Way’s programs do you connect to most and why?

United Way of Lake County concentrates most of its donor funding towards community programs dedicated to improving the lives of children in Lake County. These critical child-targeted programs like Success By 6 (kindergarten preparation), Reading Success (literacy tutoring), and Stay in School (helping youth overcome barriers to graduation), demonstrate tangible outcomes tracked for over a decade and yield compelling results across a range of objective success measurements. There is really no doubt in my mind about the immense community impact resulting from these education programs – it’s gratifying to help further that success which provides lasting benefit to so many kids in our community!

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

Most of us employed at Abbott and AbbVie, here in Lake County, recognize how fortunate we are to take home ample incomes and enjoy stable careers at these great companies. But it’s evident there are many less advantaged families right here in our immediate area that don’t have nearly our high living standard nor the educational opportunities that we enjoy. Our income taxes and other regular financial obligations simply don’t go far enough to ensure the health, welfare or opportunities for all those in our neighborhood. Contributing to United Way of Lake County is an excellent chance to help offset that unfortunate imbalance in our community in a direct and meaningful way.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Chris Schweitzer Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign. 

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

I have always wanted to become involved in my local community, I have always enjoyed school and learning, and I strive to be a life-long learner. United Way provides a vehicle to share my resources and time with children in need. I cannot think of a better opportunity than to have a hand in turning a child on to learning.

Which of United Way’s programs do you connect to most and why?

United Way of Lake County’s Success By 6, Reading Success and Stay in School programs resonate with me since they are focused on providing children with tools and experiences that will lead them to become life-long learners. United Way’s education programs provide important support to the children and schools that have significant resource constraints.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

All children deserve an opportunity to learn and equip themselves with the fundamental tools to help them succeed in future careers. Without the engagement of United Way’s programs, many children in our local communities are at risk of not being able to be successful in school, limiting their ability to find work and contribute sustainable growth in our community. We have an obligation to do what we can to ensure those opportunities are provided.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Mark and Sarah Schweitzer Choose United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign. 

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

United Way’s mission is a balanced approach to fill gaps that many of our communities are facing. Having that balanced approach is a critical success factor if we want our community to grow and thrive. While my wife, Sarah, and I have a passion for increased educational opportunities, we cannot just focus on education alone. It is tough for a child to learn if they have inadequate or no housing, limited or no food, and no access to health care. United Way cannot play a role in all those issues given resource constraints; however, their effective leadership of inclusion and collaboration brings other communities, governmental and private organizations together to meet those needs of our community. The need in Lake County is great, and we must use all of the tools in our toolbox to have an impact. In my mind, the mission of United Way embodies the right approach to make it happen.

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

Sarah and I have been supporters of United Way of Lake County for over two decades through donations and volunteer activities. I’ve had the opportunity to see United Way’s programs “live” in the classroom with students in our area, which truly made me understand the value of our United Way. Engaging with the students and seeing the impact brought the value of our support into greater focus. The integrated approach that United Way offers – providing real time/acute support to families but also ensuring support through long-range programs that provide our students and families increased opportunities to gain a brighter future – is key to the successes shown by the involvement of United Way. Seeing the success of United Way’s programs, along with data-driven information showing that every dollar spent in our community has a positive impact on the lives of families struggling to succeed in our county, drove us to become more active in supporting United Way and its mission.

As a board member and current member of the executive committee, it is rewarding to see that our efforts are continuing to have a positive impact on our community. Being part of the team that can increase the reach of United Way in the community is what drives my engagement and involvement. We have so much untapped potential waiting to be released, to do so only takes more resources and commitment.

Which of United Way’s programs do you connect to most and why?

We have a passion for enhancing the tools children use to learn and develop. Sarah and I were blessed with tremendous educational opportunities and learning environments that stimulated critical thinking and creativity. Our parents instilled a passion for reading. They and the teachers and faculty that we were fortunate to have in our educational careers fostered a passion for life-long learning. A strong foundation in reading is so critical in every career that we should be doing whatever we can to ensure all children have the same foundation that will enable them to pursue new and exciting challenges throughout their lives.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Dennis Burke Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign.  

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

I enjoyed a successful career with Abbott Laboratories and spin–off Hospira Worldwide, where community service and support for United Way were simply a part of our culture. I had long been a supporter, albeit from afar, as a contributor as well as serving as a departmental campaign coordinator in multiple locations.  I had confidence in my employer’s choice of United Way as an ethical charitable partner that was worthy of their matching contributions, and I was inspired by others to participate.

I was introduced to United Way of Lake County (UWLC) by a former Abbott colleague and a current member of the UWLC Finance Committee – another Abbott-United Way connection!  Although I have been a resident of Lake County living in Deerfield for more than 20 years, I had no idea of the depth of need that exists within the region until I met with the leadership team.  I was struck by their passion and their commitment to the children and families of Lake County.

Which of United Way’s programs do you connect to most and why?

There is no special program, but rather our overall mission to advocate for basic needs of all Lake County residents that truly resonates with me.

I have learned the fundamental importance of kindergarten readiness as served by our Success By 6 program that truly sets the table for reading at grade level by grade 3, supported by our Reading Success program which then provides students with the tools and abilities to successfully complete high school, further supported by our Stay in School program.  Since joining United Way, I have had the privilege of witnessing these programs first hand, and experiencing the joy that these programs bring to children, their families and volunteers alike.

I have also discovered the tremendous value of 2-1-1, our proposed confidential helpline that will connect all residents of Lake County to services. Across the country, individuals of all ethnicities and socioeconomic status connect to 2-1-1 in times of crisis or need. It is inspiring to know that through this service we might help someone find shelter or food for their family, secure resources during a flood or disaster, or even intervene in a mental health crisis. 2-1-1 will be there for all Lake County residents when needed most!

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

As a resident of Lake County, I am awe struck by the tremendous need for services that exists within our community. United Way connects the people, programs and resources with those that need them most and produces measurable results that improve Lake County for all who live and work here.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.

Azita Saleki-Gerhardt Chooses United Way of Lake County

Donors and volunteers shared with us why they choose to give to United Way of Lake County. We hope their stories motivate you to continue (or begin!) to choose United Way when you are asked to participate in your workplace giving campaign. 

What inspired you to become involved with United Way of Lake County?

Everyone deserves a chance to succeed, no matter where you come from or the environment in which you were raised. United Way of Lake County does just that. I love that it gives kids a chance to succeed through valuable early education, reading success and stay-in-school programs, all while striving to enable healthy, safe and stable family environments. I believe the next generation of scientists, researchers and so many other critical professions needs to be supported to ensure their success.

Which of United Way’s programs do you connect to most and why?

Every day, I drive to work through communities that are in desperate need of help. United Way’s mission to prepare at-risk kids to succeed in a changing world is incredibly important to me because I see first-hand the impact it makes. It doesn’t take a lot to move the needle. But when you combine the passion of volunteers, the know-how of the staff, and the resources of Lake County businesses and philanthropic-minded organizations, the difference we can make is remarkable.

Why do you think it is important to support United Way’s mission?

AbbVie’s mission is to make a remarkable impact on the lives of our patients. But as a company, we can’t forget that we have a responsibility to the communities in which we do business. United Way makes a significant difference with at-risk kids in communities right around the corner from our offices. The impact of United Way is local, and where it’s needed most. I’m proud of our company’s commitment to this incredible organization.

If you’d like to make a gift to United Way, click the button below.