Lots of Exciting Things Happening with the

Shelby County United Way!

Check out the latest!

"United is the Way" Campaign Finale

We are thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of our 2025 'United is the Way' campaign that was held at The Historic Sidney Theatre on Nov. 6th. It is truly remarkable to witness the collective effort of our community in raising funds for the invaluable services provided by our United Way partner agencies to those in need.

The campaign had raised an impressive $1,306,988, with projected totals exceeding $1.4 million once outstanding company & individual donations as well as Match Day contributions are accounted for. We extend our sincerest gratitude to the United Way Campaign Chair, John Bertsch, the numerous division leaders, company leaders, and dedicated volunteers who made this achievement possible.

We are deeply thankful to our generous donors and supporters who have demonstrated that 'United is the Way' to drive meaningful change in our community.

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We are blessed and honored to be a part of such a generous community that helps us continue to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community.

Student United Way continued to fuel the fire of compassion with their second session of the year, shedding light on food insecurity! Students embarked on a powerful journey, touring Alpha Community Center, The The Mercy Mission House, and Agape Distribution, and gained valuable insights into the free and reduced lunch programs in their school districts..

Heartfelt thanks to the selfless staff at our partner agencies for sharing their tireless efforts to make a difference in our community!

2025 Match Day

We're thrilled that the Community Foundation of Shelby County Ohio is hosting another Match Day! This incredible opportunity will amplify the impact of the Shelby County United Way's POWER Grants, Student United Way Grants, and Special Project Grants.

Double your impact and MAKE A Tax-Deductible DONATION payable to the Community Foundation of Shelby County, note on your check’s memo line: MATCH/Shelby County United Way.

How to Give:

Checks must be made payable to the Community Foundation of Shelby County with “Shelby County United Way - MATCH” noted in the memo line or use the Match Day Form, which can be found at commfoun.com/match-day or download form below.

Accepted between Nov. 7–Dec. 2:

• Cash, check, stock, IRA gifts, and fund transfers

• Credit card gifts accepted only on Tuesday, December 2, 2025

• Visit commfoun.com/donate/ on December 2 to donate by credit card

Gifts must be received by Dec. 2 to qualify for the match.

Deliver to:

Community Foundation of Shelby County

Courtview Center, Suite 303

100 South Main Avenue

Sidney, OH 45365

OR

Shelby County United Way

232 S. Ohio Ave.

Sidney, OH 45365

Every dollar you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to the first $5,000, thanks to sponsors Dave Ross, Dave and Ann Monnier, Evie Bensman, Ed Borchers, John and Julia Frantz, and Ken and Brenda Schlater.

Double Your Impact and help the Shelby County United Way continue to serve over 19,000 people annually in our community!

Annual Free Community Christmas Dinner

Saturday Dec. 13th, 11:30-1:00pm

Join Us for the 44th Free Community Christmas Dinner, while supplies last, on Saturday Dec. 13th at the EMA building 800 Fair Rd at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. Enter the fairgrounds from Highland Ave. Parking is available anywhere within the fairgrounds, keeping in mind that the meal is inside the EMA building. All Shelby County residents are welcome to come and enjoy this meal.

As in years past, The Spot will prepare a delicious traditional meal, including: turkey, gravy, green beans, dressing, rolls, and pies. Volunteers from Temperance Lodge #73 Free and Accepted Masons; the Masonic Lodge of Sidney, will make mashed potatoes.

Santa will be onsite to listen to children’s wish lists and hand out treats. Santa’s corner is sponsored by Alvetro Orthodontics.

Meals will only be delivered to homebound adults who call in their reservation to Shelby County United Way, at 937-492-2101, Extension 1005. Reservations for home delivered meals must be made no later than 12:00 Noon Thursday Dec. 11. Please feel free to leave a message with your name, phone number, address, and number of meals.

The Shelby County United Way staff would like to thank the many generous donors, and the dedicated volunteers who give of their time each year.

United Way Special Project Grant

The Shelby County United Way Board of Trustees awarded a $2,000 special project grant to the Shelby County Special Olympics for new uniforms.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES....

Agape Distribution Inc uses volunteers daily to stock food and misc. items on the shelves and unload product (937-498-4368) agapedistribution.org/volunteer

Alpha Community Center and Holy Angels Soup Kitchen rely on volunteers to cook and prepare lunch meals (937-498-9758) and (937-498-0598) alphacommunitycenter.org/volunteer

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County have youth waiting to be matched with a mentor

(937-492-7611) www.bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org

Catholic Social Services needs volunteers to serve seniors and drivers (937-498-4593) cssmv.org/help/volunteer/

Compassionate Care of Shelby County needs trained medical providers willing to volunteer and see patients (937-492-9400) welovecompassionatecare.com/become-a-volunteer/

FISH of Shelby County is an all-volunteer thrift store with various volunteer opportunities (937-492-1760) fishofshelbycounty.wordpress.com/volunteer/

Mercy Mission House Emergency Shelter needs various volunteers (937-815-1777) themercymissionhouse.com/get-involved

Morgan's Place Cemetery needs various volunteers (937-726-4805) or (937-497-8118) morgansplacecemetery.org

Salvation Army needs volunteers for their Emergency Disaster Service (EDS) and various other volunteer opportunities (937-492-8412) salvationarmy.org

Shelby County Bd of DD-Special Olympics program needs various volunteers for their basketball, track and softball programs (937-658-6825) JGuillozet@shelbydd.org

Shelby County CASA/GAL (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is looking for volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children (937-498-7447) shelbycountycasa@shelbyco.net

Shelby County Department of Job and Family Services are recruiting & training foster parents (937) 498-4981 shelbycountyjfs.org

POWER-Shelby County United Way needs kindergarten tutors Mon-Thurs between the hours of 8:45-10:00 am (937-492-2101X1003) awest@shelbycountyunitedway.org Power4Women.org

Partner Agency Spotlight

Alpha Community Center serves the community in four main ways; serves meals, emergency pantry, children's/adult's programming and rent/utility assistance. They are located at 950 Children's Home Rd on the same campus as Holy Angels Soup Kitchen, and Mercy Mission House.

They will be having their annual Thanksgiving Dinner Friday Nov. 21st at 5pm.

Their Christmas Food Drive is going on now where you can donate boxes of non-perishable food items that can be dropped off at Alpha Community Center Dec.15th - 17th, from 9am-noon. See flyer below for more information.

They are always looking for volunteers, especially to help organize the food that will be coming in for the upcoming Turkey Trot. To volunteer or learn more about Alpha Community Center just go to alphacommunitycenter.org or call 937-498-9758, you can also email Executive Director Justin Neu at jmneu@alphacommunitycenter.org.

Partner Agency Spotlight

Shelby County Victim Services provides support, trauma counseling and court advocacy to victims of crime through 24 hour response to law enforcement and hospital requests. It is their intent that all crime victims be aware of their rights and that they receive sensitive treatment throughout the criminal justice process. They also provide a trained therapist to address any needs they may have from the trauma. They provide information, support, & advocacy to victims and their families in a courteous and compassionate atmosphere. Any questions you can call their office at (937) 498-7400 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm.

Kindergarten Tutors Needed!!!

Join the fun and and make a true impact!

Become a kindergarten tutor TODAY!

19 slots still need filled!!

• POWER provides coats to area children in need. Donated New Coats are always accepted to replenish stock for requests received from schools throughout the year.
• POWER Business Luncheon was held last month with guest speaker & POWER grant recipient, Randy Klauss, President of the Pickleball Association.
• POWER Holiday Sip & Pour Creative Event: Dec. 11th at 6:00pm