United Way of Lake County: Residents in need benefited from 91,971 services

Calling his year-long tenure “an honor,” Mark Sutherland, United Way of Lake County’s 2017 Campaign chair, closed the nonprofit’s 2017 Giving Campaign April 18 at the American-Croatian Lodge in Eastlake.

“I’ve been moved by the impact that can be made when Lake County’s businesses, organizations, agencies and residents join together to uplift Lake County’s most vulnerable residents,” he said.

“We would all be surprised at how real the needs are for many in our county. I plan to continue my support of United Way of Lake County and urge others to join me. United Way is the best way to help the most people.”

Sutherland, vice president of public affairs for The Lubrizol Corp. and president of The Lubrizol Foundation, announced that 91,971 services were provided to residents in need through UWLC’s support of agency programs.

He also announced that $2,415,691 was raised during the 2017 campaign.

In addition to the 91,971 services provided, Sutherland went on to detail that the nonprofit organization provided over 50 local food pantries with enough food for nearly 205,000 meals throughout 2017.

“This is a wonderful win for our community,” said UWLC President and CEO Jennifer McCarty. “We’re proud of the work we do to uplift our community, including those in our county who struggle with food insecurity.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to Mark for the way he and his organization stepped up in support of our campaign. We raised a lot of new dollars this year and Mark was an integral part of making it all happen.”

Nearly 250 people turned out for the luncheon where UWLC Board Chairman Robert Lee of Lincoln Electric passed the gavel to his successor, Kathleen Buse, president of Advancing Women in STEM.

The meeting also recognized outgoing board members Cathy Bush, Lakeland Community College; Greg Lieb, The Lubrizol Corp., retired; Kay Malec, Community Volunteer; Frank McGorty, De Nora Tech, retired; and John Shepard, The Fine Arts Association.

Event awards included:

• UWLC’s Gus Gehring Award for excellence in volunteerism and leadership to Rick Cicero of Lake Health.

• UWLC’s Matt Logies Award for giving, advocating and volunteering to Scott J. Marn of Benjamin F. Edwards.

• UWLC’s Woman Leader of the Year award to Kathleen Buse of Advancing Women in STEM.

• UWLC’s Young Leader of the Year award to Brandi Haught of KeyBank.

• UWLC’s Power of One award to Greg Lieb, The Lubrizol Corp., retired.

• UWLC’s Outstanding Advocate of the Year award to Lovii Marie Hicks.

The Lubrizol Corp. and Lake Health, both longtime supporters of UWLC, sponsored the annual meeting.