Orrville Area United Way celebrates campaign success, honors volunteers

Organization reaches 99% of goal and recognizes community leaders

Two award recipients pose with their trophies at a United Way event.

Pete Krogh, left, received the Gene & Mickey Workman Lifetime Achievement Award and Ann McPeek received the Patti Ayers “YES!” Award at the Orrville Area United Way annual meeting.

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Published April 13, 2026 - 9:09 a.m.

Orrville Area United Way (OAUW) celebrated another successful campaign and recognized volunteers at its annual meeting April 7 at B’s Deli and Café. More than 75 community members attended the event, where the organization announced it had reached 99% of its campaign goal.

Thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses in Orrville, Dalton and Marshallville, OAUW supports 15 programs across 11 partner agencies, in addition to its own Percy Programs. Named after OAUW’s penguin mascot, these programs help fill gaps in local services and ensure families have the support they need through partnerships with schools, churches, nonprofits and community groups. More information is available at orrvilleareaunitedway.org.

The evening also included recognition of two volunteers whose service has made a lasting impact on both OAUW and the broader community.

Pete Krogh received the Gene & Mickey Workman Lifetime Achievement Award, established in 1987 to honor individuals who demonstrate a lifelong commitment to volunteerism, reflecting the legacy of Gene and Mickey Workman. Krogh was recognized for his years of dedicated service to OAUW from 2014 through 2025. During that time, he served in multiple leadership roles, including president, secretary and treasurer and contributed as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site supervisor. Krogh previously worked at The J.M. Smucker Company, where he spent more than 12 years on the foodservice marketing team.

Ann McPeek received the Patti Ayers “YES!” Award, established in 2004 to honor volunteers who consistently go above and beyond, embodying a spirit of service and a willingness to say “yes” to community needs. McPeek was recognized for her many years of service on the OAUW Board of Directors, including leadership roles such as secretary and president. Known for her “can-do” spirit, she has also volunteered with several local organizations, including the Orrville Historical Society, Orrville Reads, Orrville Public Library and the Silver Trowel Garden Club, to name just a few.

The event also featured a grazing table from B’s Deli & Café, balloon art by Conrad Creations, and etched insulated mugs and tumblers provided by the Romich Foundation Makerspace.