Tag: United Way of Lake County

Kate Collins 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 grew up in a community that was far more likely to be the recipient of charity than the donor. I simply wasn’t exposed to philanthropy at an early age. It wasn’t until I joined Abbott and began to participate in Abbott’s Employee Giving Campaign (ECG) that I started to understand the importance of giving back. Abbott’s EGC began as a United Way campaign and, to this day, United Way remains a very important component of our campaign. As I became increasingly involved in our corporate campaign, I became more familiar with United Way and the many ways the lives of so many of my neighbors in Lake County have been improved by this organization.

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

I think it’s the inclusivity of United Way’s approach that I value most. Many charities target very specific needs. United Way, on the other hand, targets whole communities. United Way of Lake County works with dozens of community partners and funds programs that promote healthy early childhood development and empower families throughout Beach Park, North Chicago, Round Lake, Waukegan and Zion. Broad-based community support with measurable outcomes is hard to beat. I guess I’m an utilitarian at heart.

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

Of course, there is a world of need and many ways to provide support, but starting with the health and welfare of our local communities feels right to me. My company operates globally and I have the good fortune to work with colleagues and customers in over 100 countries, but I never want to lose sight of the needs of those closest to home.

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

Tony Thompson 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?

My initial exposure to United Way was through my employer. I was struck by the breadth of services that the organization provides to the community. It presented a wonderful opportunity to make contributions that benefit many on a variety of fronts.

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

Providing diverse educational opportunities and experiences for those that may not readily have access.

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

I think that United Way’s mission is representative of what we all want to do for each other in one way, shape or form.

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

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.