United Way 2023-2024 Campaign Results Announced at 85th Annual Meeting

Community problems rarely originate from a single cause. Solving problems requires that everyone work together – schools, nonprofit organizations, foundations, city and state government, and businesses. This is the focus of United Way’s work – bringing people together to create a vision for a healthy community and then to set goals, align programs, activities, strategies and partners, and then measure success by tracking and sharing data, stated J. Berry Harrison United Way president. Harrison spoke before 40 guests at the 85^th United Way of North Central Oklahoma’s annual meeting. 

The United Way annual meeting and appreciation celebration held on Tuesday, January 31, 2024 at Pioneer Technology Center with those individuals and companies who helped make this year's United Way campaign a success as well as letting the community know about the sponsored programs and projects by United Way of North Central Oklahoma. Harrison acknowledged the partner agencies, their guests, United Way Board Members and the United Way team. United Way events and projects were highlighted during the presentation, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, Ramp program, Medical Transportation program, RX for Oklahoma, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Imagination Library, OSU Community Wellness Programs and partnership with SingleCare, one thousand discount prescription cards were distributed in our community. Over $666,493 dollars have been saved since UW started distributing cards in 2005.

Erica Fetters, 2023-2024 campaign chair, reported to those assembled that $430,410.00 was raised and allocated to our partnering agencies, initiatives, and the United Way office. Erica recognized the Top 10 Workplace Campaigns- Phillips 66, City of Ponca City, Ponca City Public Schools, Hurst Construction & Fabrication, LLC, First National Bank of Oklahoma, Dorada Foods, Pioneer Technology Center, RCB Bank, Equity Bank & Stolhand Wells Group.   Erica recognized volunteers for their service and announced 2024/2025 campaign chair, Steve Kelley with Kay County Sherrif.    

J. Berry continued the meeting recognized was the Admissions and Allocation Committee, Bryanna Lewis, Committee Chair, Steve Kelley, Lynn Robinson, Corbin Dewitt, Anna George, Kisha Oakes, Kimberly Reusser, Megan Collom, Madai Rivera and Jacque O’Grady. These committee members spend countless hours reading agency program requests, financial statements and spend time visiting with agency staff and volunteers. After campaign ends, committee members discuss each program and make the recommendations to the United Way board of directors on funding for each agency.

Another committee recognized was the United Way Endowment Committee, Pat Mulligan, Committee Chair, Darin Hiatt, Lisa Reed, Marc LaBossiere, Erin Liberton, Craig Poet and J.Berry Harrison. This committee administers all funds entrusted to the Endowment and coordinates the Planned Giving Program of UW. This was the eleventh year United Way was able to distribute grants to organizations here in Kay County through the United Way Jesse and Barbara Manering Endowment Fund, since inception totaling $153,690.

Every year we give out a special award to a person or business that exemplifies their dedication to United Way, this year the award is going to an extremely dedicated individual of Ponca City. Our Friend of United Way award goes to Calley Lamar. Calley Lamar is a champion of United Way, our partnering agencies and our community. Calley is always willing to help highlight all the amazing work of our volunteers and share the pride of our community. Thank you for all that you do for our community and the residents on Kay County. 

During this meeting, the reigns were passed to Erica Fetters to begin her presidency.

The United Way of North Central Oklahoma board of directors meets at noon, the second Tuesday of the month at the Pioneer Technology Center and all meetings are open to the public. For more information on becoming a member of the board, committee member or campaign volunteer, call 765-2476.