Orrville Area United Way launches 2025 campaign

Orrville Area United Way recently announced the launch of its 2025 CommUnity Campaign, embracing the theme “YOU make a difference in our CommUnity.”

This year’s campaign underscores the role everyone — donors, service recipients, partner agencies and volunteers — plays in fostering a thriving community. With a goal of raising $725,000, OAUW is committed to supporting the growing needs in Dalton, Marshallville and Orrville and the requests from its partner agencies.

Since 1958 OAUW has distributed over $18 million to programs that serve its three communities. OAUW currently supports 14 programs across 11 different social service agencies alongside seven Percy Programs.

Programs are dedicated to nurturing children and youth, developing life skills, helping in hard times, and promoting health and wellness. In 2023 alone, over 27,000 services were provided in the local area through OAUW community investments.

“The need in our community continues to grow, and so does our commitment to meet it,” said James Carpenter, executive director of Orrville Area United Way. “We are challenging ourselves this year, but with the strong support of our community, I am confident that we can make a significant impact.”

A key component of OAUW’s funding model is the Citizen Review Committee process. This committee, comprised of volunteers from Dalton, Marshallville and Orrville, reviews grant applications and recommends funding based on the needs of the community.

In addition to supporting partner agencies, OAUW invests in seven Percy Programs, which address specific local needs, from providing books to children through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to offering free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and providing backpacks of food for kids at Dalton and Orrville schools on the weekends.

The community is invited to support this year’s campaign. Every contribution helps address local needs. For more information about the 2025 CommUnity Campaign or to learn how to support OAUW’s efforts, call or email Michele Wilson at 330-683-8181 or michele.wilson@oauw.org or visit www.orrvilleareaunitedway.org.