Orrville Area United Way launches $675k campaign goal

Setting forth a campaign goal of $675,000, Orrville Area United Way kicked off its annual campaign on Aug. 29.

Since 1958 OAUW has distributed over $18.5 million to programs that serve its three communities of Orrville, Dalton and Marshallville. OAUW currently supports 15 programs across 12 different social service agencies, as well as seven Percy Programs that address the needs of the local community.

Programs OAUW funds must fall under one of four impact areas: healthy community, youth opportunity, financial security and community resiliency.

“The names of the impact areas have been refreshed to best reflect the work being done locally,” said James Carpenter, executive director of Orrville Area United Way. “The language has changed slightly, but our mission and priorities remain the same.”

OAUW’s funding model is community-led and transparent. The vital piece in this process is the citizen review committee. The committee, comprised of volunteers from the three ZIP codes served, reviews grant applications, listens to in-person program presentations and recommends funding to the OAUW Board of Directors.

In addition to supporting local programs of partner agencies, OAUW invests in seven Percy Programs that address specific local needs. Percy Programs are named after OAUW’s penguin mascot. These programs include the Weekend Backpack Program, providing food for kids at Orrville and Dalton schools on the weekends; Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, providing free monthly books to kids birth through age 5; and the Sweet Dreams program, which supplies a complete bed set — frame, mattress, bedding and pillow — to children in need, age 2-18.

Every contribution helps address critical local needs. To donate, visit www.orrvilleareaunitedway.org. For more information about the 2026 campaign, call or email Michele Wilson at 330-683-8181 or michele.wilson@oauw.org.