Whirlpool is supporting Darke County United Way since many years and in 2023 the company and its employees set a new record with $458,000, a $38,000 increase over last year’s already impressive $420,000.
This money was raised through payroll-deductions, different sales activities (bake sales, selling products to the employees) as well as other fundraising activities, Renato Esteves, Whirlpool Greenville Manufacturing Plant Leader explained. The retirees of the company also donated a large sum this year, over $17,000.
Darke County United Executive Director Becca Cotterman stated that the donated money will go in full to the 2024 campaign and back to the community. United Way has 21 partner agencies under the topics Health (Cancer Ass., Catholic Social Services, EverHeart Hospice, Recovery and Wellness Centers of Midwest Ohio, SafeHaven), Education (Big Brothers and Sisters, Boys & Girls Club, Bridges to College, CORS-ACES Alternative School, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Empowering Darke County Youth, Stuff-the-bus) and Stability (Community Action Partnership – Homeless Shelter, Community Unity, FAME, FISH, Grace Resurrection Community Center, Next Step Helps, Radiant Lighthouse Blessing Boxes, YMCA of Darke County Child Development Center) and each of these agencies will receive funds in this campaign.
Gavin Glasscoe,Past President of the Darke County United Way Board explained that all the agencies the United Way is donating to go through an extensive allocation interview to see what these partner agencies need the funds for. He also confirmed that the Whirlpool donation does not go United Way Corporate but straight back to the Darke County United Way und with that to the community.
Additionally to the partner programs, Darke County United Way also has a Community fund program, which is more of an one-time funding for special projects in the community, for which people can apply for.
Darke County United Way has several campaigns in the community and Whirlpool is their largest campaign.