Making her Mark

United Way is turning to the President of a local construction company to build on its recent success when its annual campaign kicks off August 29.  Alison Marker, of Thomas & Marker Construction, will serve as the 2019 Campaign Chair, leading the countywide fundraising effort this fall.  Giving to United Way of Logan County has increased seven consecutive years, culminating with last year's record-breaking Million Dollar campaign.    

 

"The people of Logan County are generous beyond belief with their volunteerism and financial support," Marker said.  "Logan County residents have big hearts and come together when needed. It’s the small-town values of hard work, and commitment to family and friends that makes this a strong and caring community."

 

The Bellefontaine High School alumna joined the family business in Human Resources seven years ago.  That's when she integrated her passion for community service and philanthropy into the company’s culture by collecting and donating warm items for homeless shelters in the winter, starting their United Way workplace campaign, and participating in other community volunteer activities throughout the year.  Thomas & Marker ranked 6th in company giving in last year's United Way of Logan County campaign with just over 120 employees. 

 

"We are great at what we do – and as a successful organization, we believe that it’s our responsibility to reach out and invest in our communities so that we are all thriving together," Marker said.  "I also believe that, until the bigger systemic issues of racism, sexism, poverty, affordable access to healthcare, etc. are solved, then we have a duty and responsibility to impact and strengthen the wellbeing of our communities."

 

Marker developed her giving heart through an extensive career in social work and her private psychotherapy practice prior to her transition to construction.  Service at homeless shelters, rape crisis centers, and counseling individuals opened her eyes to the myriad of reasons why people end up in situations of need.

 

"My interests were always in understanding the disparities in our culture, including poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia, understanding how people’s minds worked, and how we all influenced and impacted each other," she said.  "We are all pieces to a bigger puzzle." 

 

A bigger puzzle she sees United Way as working to put together in its work to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Logan County.  United Way funding currently supports 45 programs of 30 local organizations.  

 

"There are so many nonprofit organizations out there, but United Way is a one stop shop that I trust to allocate funds fairly to organizations that have proven themselves to be well-organized and well-run. United Way takes care of the vetting work and administration so that we don’t have to.

 

"You can make a difference in the lives of people in your community and United Way makes it so easy to do that."  

Marker joins a long line of community leaders who have served in the role of Campaign Chair.  Joining Marker on the 2019 Campaign Cabinet will be: 

The United Way Campaign Kickoff Breakfast, presented by Robinson Investments, is scheduled for Thursday August 29 at 8:00 a.m. at the Hilliker YMCA.  RSVP to attend by calling United Way at (937) 592-2886.