Lakeview Couple to Co-Chair 2020 Campaign


LAKEVIEW COUPLE WITH GIVING LEGACY TO CO-CHAIR 2020 UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN

Darrin Haubert and Katie Rychener agreed to co-chair the 2020 United Way campaign in "January, B.C.."  Before coronavirus.  Little did the husband-wife tandem from Lakeview know what kind of challenge they were signing up for!
 
"A lot of folks are struggling now with the impact of the virus," said Haubert, a Financial Advisor with Katterhenry Investment Group and a longtime Lakeview resident.  "Now more than ever, United Way and the charities that we support need the assistance of this organization.  My hope is that this campaign can show how much Logan County cares about the people who live here."
 
If the past decade is any indication, it will.  Giving to United Way of Logan County has increased eight years in a row, including back-to-back million dollar campaigns in 2018 and 2019.  
  
"We talked about the fact that over the last 15 years of living in Logan County, we have seen what United Way has done for the community," said Rychener, a Marketing Management Teacher at Bellefontaine High School.  "As a result of seeing that, we just wanted to be a part of it.  It’s always about being a part of something bigger than yourself.  It’s always about doing what you can for your community."
 
The couple has always made giving back a part of their legacy.  Haubert has served stints on the boards of the Logan County and Indian Lake Chambers of Commerce and the Bellefontaine Rotary Club.  Rychener is also the DECA Advisor at the high school
 
"Giving back is what grows a strong and vibrant economy," said Haubert.  "That's what helps those less fortunate, and giving those folks an opportunity to better themselves.  I'm excited about all the things United Way does to facilitate that in our community."
 
Haubert says United Way may never have proved itself more valuable than it has in 2020.  That's because of its response to the unexpected secondary impacts the Coronavirus has made locally.
  • When unemployment soared to 31 percent and #1 in the state, 3,788 individuals flocked to the United Way-funded Second Harvest Food Bank’s drive-thru pantry distributions in the 2nd quarter.  The Ohio National Guard staffed them a dozen times a month!  Most recipients had never used a food pantry before.  
  • Our Daily Bread has become “Our Twice-Daily Bread,” serving both lunch AND dinner since March.
  • So that our most vulnerable did not have venture out, we started a free grocery delivery program with RTC Services for all residents over 60.  And the number of shut-ins receiving meals-on-wheels via LifeCare Alliance has increased by 38 percent.  
  • Calls to the 211 information and referral hotline increased by 25 percent during the shutdown period.  
  • Monthly book mailings to 1,800 preschoolers via our Dolly Parton Imagination Library continued uninterrupted.  Logan County remains #2 in Ohio with 60 percent of our preschoolers enrolled. 
  • With depression and anxiety levels high, all 6th and 9th grade students in Logan County will be screened for mental health, substance abuse, and suicide risk through TCN Behavioral Health. 
  • It’s also worth noting that United Way has been supporting local law enforcement long before national events put a spotlight on police relations with communities (since 2012).  $23,000 in United Way funding is backing the Bellefontaine Police Department and Logan County Sheriff’s Office community events this year.  These foster positive interaction, encouraging residents that policemen are on OUR side. 
"Who could have seen Coronavirus coming last year?" said Dave Bezusko, United Way's Executive Director.  "But as 2020 proved, United Way is flexible enough to make a difference no matter what our greatest human service need may be.  Who knows what 2021 will bring?  Or 2020?  Or 2050?  But United Way will be here, as it has since 1955 in Logan County, ready to serve and fill the gaps."
 
Joining Haubert and Rychener on the 2020 United Way Campaign Cabinet will be Danielle Anderson of Woodforest National Bank; Deb Baker, City of Bellefontaine Councilwoman; Magistrate Natasha Kennedy, Logan County Family Court; Carmen LeVan, Mary Rutan Hospital; Colton Lowry, Edward Jones; Alison Marker, Marker Construction; Christy Myers, Mary Rutan Hospital; Kris Myers, Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District; Shannon Reese, Small Nation; Kelsey Webb, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center; and Michael Wilson, Logan County Electric Cooperative.
 
"Please give generously and give with your heart," said Rychener.  "At the end of the day, you are helping your neighbor.  You are helping your friends.  You are helping the kids in this community who need this money and they need the support that we can provide locally."
 
Donors can give via payroll deduction at work, online at this link, or by texting UWLOGAN to 44321.