Sherry Orlando to retire from United Way of Fairfield County

LANCASTER - United Way of Fairfield County Executive Director Sherry Orlando will retire on July 1 after 25 years on the job.

She made her announcement at United Way's annual awards banquet Wednesday. 

"It's bittersweet, but I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my life," she said. "After 25 years it's time for a change not only for the organization but for me personally."

Orlando said she plans to get her real estate license and to also do volunteer work, including mentoring youth. She is not leaving the city.

"I have the United Way in my blood," Orlando said. "I will always be a great cheerleader for the person who replaces me."

She said the organization will post the job in February and plans to have her replacement start in June, giving Orlando a month or so to work with the new person.

While Orlando's announcement is big news, it's not the only thing that happened during the banquet.

Numerous local businesses received a variety of awards, including Fox Foundation, Inc., which won the 2017 Campaign Chairman's Award.

Campaign chair David Levacy announced the 2017 campaign has brought in $1,606,166 so far. He said that is short of his $1.7 million goal, but that there is still some money yet to come in.

"I'd hoped to do a whole lot more," Levacy said. "But I look at all the effort, and people gave 110 percent to the United Way this year. I think that's pretty darn good."

Lancaster Eagle-Gazette employee Jeff Cumberland was the big winner of the night, as he won an 18-foot Bennington pontoon boat valued at about $20,000.

He was among 25 people who donated to United Way whose names were placed into a drawing for the boat. Levacy owns Buckeye Lake Marina and donated the boat.

"I couldn't believe it," Cumberland said of winning. "I've never won anything like this before, and a boat is a big deal. It didn't sink in until my wife and I got home and started talking about it."

United Way has a program where donors can give one hour salary per month to the organization. Of those donors, 25 were picked in a drawing and given keys to start the boat. Cumberland drew 24th and said he didn't think he had much of a chance. But when he turned the key, lights and sirens went off signaling his win.

"I turned the key and still couldn't believe it," Cumberland said.

Levacy said the winner can take the money the boat is valued at instead of taking the boat. Cumberland said, for now, he's taking the boat, but that he may end up taking the money instead after thinking it over a bit.

Levacy said Standing Stone Bank President Jeff Beard will be the 2018 campaign director.

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron