Together, We Make a Difference.

In this issue, we’re excited to share a look at our latest events and initiatives, and hope you will take part!

Whether you join us at our fundraisers and events, participate in our raffles, make a gift, donate food, volunteer your time, or lend your voice in support of our mission, please know that you are contributing to the well-being of Lake County's most vulnerable residents. Every act of support, big or small, helps change lives.

Why United Way of Lake County?

At United Way of Lake County, we don’t just fund programs—we invest in futures. Our Community Investment Committee volunteers carefully vet and select the most impactful nonprofit programs to support - those proven to change lives in our community. We do the behind-the-scenes work so our partners, like the Lake County YMCA, can focus on what matters most, helping children and families thrive. And this, friends, is just one of the answers to the question, "Why United Way of Lake County?"

When we take care of the details, our partners can take care of people.

We proudly help fund the Y’s Financial Assistance, Summer Learning Loss, and Childcare programs because every child deserves a strong start, and every family in need deserves a helping hand. The services they provide are more than just a safe place for kids—they’re a lifeline for working families and a foundation for brighter tomorrows.

Watch the Lake County YMCA video below to see how the support we receive from our donors carries forward!

Video kindly provided by the Lake County YMCA.

Community Volunteer Fair: April 30

Join us on Wednesday, April 30, from 12 pm to 4:30 pm at Lakeland Community College for a Volunteer Fair you don't want to miss!

We’ve teamed up with several fantastic partners to bring together over 30 community agencies—all in one place—ready to help you discover ways to get involved and make a difference!

The Volunteer Fair will take place in the H-Building Atrium, and parking is available adjacent to the H-Building.

Come find your passion. Find your purpose. Find your place to serve!

Weller Rainbow Bourbon Raffle!

Enter to Win the Ultimate 6-Bottle Collection of

Weller Bourbon Valued at Over $2,200!

Get your raffle ticket entry now to win! As with all of our raffles, proceeds benefit our Lake County friends and neighbors in need!

The lucky winner will enjoy the best in fine American bourbon with this rare and coveted six (6) bottle Weller Collection from the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery! Each bottle in this wheated bourbon lineup delivers a unique character and complexity, perfect for the most discerning bourbon connoisseur's palate and all bourbon lovers! The following bottles are included in this collection:

• Weller Single Barrel 
• Weller C.Y.P.B
• Weller Full Proof Bourbon
• Weller 12-Year-Old Bourbon
• Weller Antique 107 Bourbon 
• Weller Special Reserve Bourbon

Tickets are $50 each. Contest ends May 26, and the winner will be selected May 28, 2025. Complete details can be found here.

Click here to get your raffle ticket entry now!

Annual Meeting & Campaign Kickoff Breakfast: May 28

We’re excited to announce that for the first time ever, our Annual Meeting will be combined with the launch of our Campaign Kickoff! Register now to join us for highlights from the past year, the impact we have made together, special acknowledgment of our volunteers, supporters, and advocates, and the kickoff to our 2025 Campaign!

We're also excited to share that the winners of our two campaign contests will be selected and revealed during the meeting! One lucky winner will receive $10,000 in cash, courtesy of Mentor Nissan, while another will win a lifetime of monthly salon services from Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa, generously donated by owners Ed and Nancy Brown, our 2024 Campaign Co-Chairs! If you haven't purchased your raffle tickets yet, there is still time. Click here now!

Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Time: 8:30 am - 10 am

Location: The Paradigm building on the campus of Mentor High School at 6477 Center St. 

Cost: 

• $25 / Person 
• $200 / Table of 8

Questions? Email jsmyser@uwlc.org or call 440.639.1286.

Click here to register!

The Bourbon Event! Bourbon, Bites, & Big Wins Await!

Save the Date: The Evening of Thursday, June 26

Join us the evening of Thursday, June 26, for a curated, next-level progressive bourbon raffle featuring 100 bottles of bourbon, including rare and difficult-to-acquire finds like Old Rip Van Winkle 10-Year Bourbon! Enjoy bourbon tastings, small bites, prize raffles, a 50/50 drawing, and cigars — plus, the opportunity to boost your odds with raffle insurance!

Date: Thursday, June 26

Time: Evening (Exact time TBD)

Location: Springbrook Gardens, 6776 Heisley Rd., Mentor

Enjoy:

• Progressive Bourbon Raffle
• Featuring 100 bottles of bourbon, with rare and difficult-to-acquire finds like Old Rip Van Winkle 10-Year Bourbon 
• Opportunity to increase your odds of winning with insurance
• Bourbon tastings
• Small bites
• Prize raffles & 50/50 raffle
• Cigars

Registration and raffle ticket information will be available here on our website starting May 28, including the list of bourbons that will be available at The Bourbon Event.

Want to be added to our email list to receive event details? Click here now!

Clothing Drive for August Back-to-School Bash.

Will You Help?

We are collecting new socks and underwear, as well as clean, gently used or new clothing for infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and young adults. Collected items will be distributed as part of our Community's Back-to-School Bash on August 2, 2025. Please help by pre-sorting donated clothing by gender and size and placing them in labeled boxes or bags (e.g., adult/youth, small/medium, etc.).

Drop-Off Location: United Way of Lake County, 9285 Progress Pkwy, Mentor

Drop-Off Times: Mon - Thu 9 am - 5:30 pm and Fri 9 am - 11:30 am, or by appointment for evening and weekends (call 440-639-1107).

Unable to donate clothes but want to help? We are accepting cash donations here for the purchase of needed items.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are also needed to help sort and prepare donated clothing for the Back-to-School Bash. If you are able to help, please contact Jen Smyser at jsmyser@uwlc.org or call 440.639.1286. 

Questions? Contact Jen Smyser at jsmyser@uwlc.org or call 440.639.1286.

Hurry, Our Second & Final "Rally 'Round Our Neighbors" Raffle Ends Wednesday, April 30!

Our second and final of two back-to-back Rally 'Round Our Neighbors raffles in support of our friends and neighbors in need is winding down! Click here now for your chance to win any of 17 epic prizes. Act now and buy entries for just the prizes you love, including:

• $250 in Amazon Gift Cards (A Bundle of Five $50 Gift Cards)!
• Guardians & Browns Tickets!
• $250 Target Gift Card!
• 2-Night Getaway to Standing Rock Farms in Madison ($600 Value)!
• 50/50 Raffle for Your Chance to Win Cash! (The Winner of Our First Raffle Took Home $1,605)!
• An 18-Hole Golf Foursome at The Kirtland Country Club ($1,000 Value)!
• An Entire Year of Salon Services with Twelve (12) Monthly $100 Gift Certificates to Jenniffer & Co. in Mentor ($1,200 Value)!
• A $600 Bottle of Clase Azul Tequila Anejo - A Top Shelf Treasure!
• And more!

Click here now for your chance to win big!

33rd Annual Day of Caring: Wednesday, June 18

Now Accepting Project Submissions & Seeking Volunteers to Adopt Projects.

We are now accepting project submissions from Lake County nonprofits for initiatives such as cleaning, organizing, indoor and outdoor painting, weeding, hedge trimming, window washing, power washing, spreading mulch, planting flowers, and hosting social events like picnics, ice cream socials, and game days for children and seniors.

We are also looking for volunteers from local organizations, groups, and individuals to select from and "adopt" project submissions.

Interested in submitting a project or volunteering?

You can do so right here on our website! Questions? Feel free to contact David Whittaker at dwhittaker@uwlc.org or by calling 440-639-1203.

Small Business United (SBU) - Get Involved!

Join the Movement

If you are a small business owner, you, more than anyone, understand that a strong, healthy community is good for business. You know the impact of shopping local—how it strengthens your business, our local economy and supports your fellow business owners. That same idea applies to giving local, which is where our Small Business United (SBU) membership comes in. Every dollar raised through this program stays right here in Lake County, helping our local friends and neighbors in need. If you're looking for a simple, budget-friendly way to make a meaningful impact, SBU is the perfect fit for you!

Learn more about our SBU program now!