United Way Fairfield County February 2026 Newsletter
From the CEO's Desk
As we continue moving through the first quarter of the year, I am excited to share several important updates that highlight the generosity, resilience, and commitment of our community.
First, we are thrilled to announce that Eastern Cottontail has donated $25,000 in support of our campaign. This generous gift will significantly strengthen our ability to serve Fairfield County families, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for their partnership and belief in our mission.
I also want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who attended and sponsored this year’s Polar Plunge . Despite the truly brutal weather conditions, your enthusiasm and dedication shone through. Your support helps fuel our work, and we appreciate the courage and spirit you brought to the event.
Our current campaign has reached $1,156,314 toward our goal of $1,250,000 . We are incredibly proud of this progress, and yet we need your help to close the gap. Every contribution, large or small, moves us closer to making the greatest possible impact in Fairfield County. Together, we can reach and exceed our goal.
In January, we received grant requests from 25 community nonprofits , each serving residents across Fairfield County. The Community Impact Council has already convened and will soon begin conducting interviews with each applying organization.
The Community Impact Council is comprised of dedicated individuals working across Fairfield County from banking, healthcare, and local government to social services, communications, and more. Their diverse perspectives and professional expertise help ensure that funding decisions are thoughtful, equitable, and truly aligned with community needs.
Once interviews are complete, the Council will make its recommendations, which will then be reviewed by our Board of Trustees as part of the final funding decision process. We are grateful for the time, care, and commitment each council member brings to this important work.
Thank you for being part of a community that continues to step up for one another. Let’s keep the momentum going as we are close to our goal, and with your support, we will cross the finish line together!
With Gratitude,
Missy Dever
CEO, United Way of Fairfield County
Connecting Students to Careers That Change Lives
In mid-January, Missy Dever, CEO of the United Way of Fairfield County, had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Phillips’ 5th–8th grade career exploration class at Fairfield Union Middle School. During her visit, Missy shared insights into the field of social work and discussed the vital role United Way plays in strengthening lives and communities right here in Fairfield County.
The conversation focused on how philanthropy, community service, and collaboration can create meaningful, lasting impact. By connecting real-world examples to students’ own community, Missy helped bring these concepts to life in an engaging and age-appropriate way.
United Way is grateful for opportunities like this to inspire young people and encourage early awareness of the importance of giving back. It’s never too early to help students understand how supporting neighbors and investing in community well-being can make a difference for everyone.
Campaign Update
Because of your generosity, belief, and commitment, we are getting closer every day to our campaign goal. Today, we are grateful to share that we have raised $1,156,485 toward our $1.25 million target. Every gift, every conversation, and every act of support has helped move this mission forward — and we sincerely thank you.
This campaign is about more than a number; it reflects the strength and compassion of our CommUNITY. Twenty-five nonprofit agencies are counting on all of us, and reaching our full goal is essential to ensuring they receive the funding needed to continue their vital work. Until we cross that finish line, the impact we envision together remains just out of reach.
As we enter this final stretch, your continued support can make the difference. If you’ve already given, thank you for helping build this momentum.
If you’re considering how to help next, a gift, a shared message, or an encouraging conversation with someone in your network can bring us one step closer.
Let’s keep showing what the power of CommUNITY looks like in action. Together, we can reach our goal and create the lasting impact our partner agencies — and the people they serve — are counting on.
A Heartfelt Thank you to Fairfield County for Making the Season Brighter
The annual Polar Plunge was once again a tremendous success, and we have so much to be grateful for. This event would not be possible without the incredible generosity, dedication, and community spirit shown by so many individuals and organizations.
First and foremost, we extend our sincere thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible. Their support of United Way and belief in our mission allowed us to host such a successful fundraiser. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Buckeye Lake Marina , 3XP Tours , Eastern Cottontail , PurposeCare , Snappalachia Photo Booth , Midwest Fabricating , South Central Power , and Buckeye Vodka . Your commitment to our community truly makes a difference.
We are also incredibly grateful to Buckeye Lake Winery for allowing us to host the Polar Plunge at their beautiful location year after year. A special note of appreciation goes to the winery’s Event Coordinator, whose dedication, organization, and support were evident throughout the planning and execution of the event. We truly could not have done it without her.
The Polar Plunge remains one of United Way’s most impactful fundraisers, helping ensure Fairfield County agencies and programs remain funded and supported for the year ahead. We were especially thankful for Eastern Cottontail, who has braved the cold and volunteered for four consecutive years and generously donated $25,000 during this year’s event. Their continued commitment exemplifies the spirit of community giving.
It was inspiring to see the support from our partner agencies, who came together to volunteer and assist throughout the weekend. A special shoutout goes to Center for Independence , The Salvation Army , and The Lighthouse for rallying together—even bringing their families—to support the event.
We were also overwhelmed by the turnout and encouragement from our board members, community partners, local businesses who donated raffle items, and the Fairfield County Police Department, who showed their support alongside Safety Service Director Carrie Woody. Your presence helped ensure the event ran smoothly and successfully.
Whether you took the plunge, volunteered, donated, or simply showed up to cheer others on, your support means the world to our team. We are incredibly thankful for this community and cannot wait to share just how much we raised together for Fairfield County.
Free VITA/TCE Prep Now Available—Schedule Your Visit Today!
We are excited to announce that our VITA/TCE Tax Preparation Program is underway for the 2025 tax season! This year, we are especially grateful to expand our services by adding new locations and partnering with United Way of Hocking County .
We are especially grateful to expand our services by partnering with United Way of Hocking County.
Thanks to these partnerships, we will be offering four convenient tax preparation sites across Hocking and Fairfield Counties.
2025 Tax Prep Site Locations & Availability
- Scenic Hills Senior Center — 187 S. Spring St, Logan, OH 43138; for individuals age 50 and older; appointments available Wednesdays only.
- United Way Office — 115 S. Broad St, Lancaster, OH 43130; drop-off appointments Monday through Friday; in-person appointments Tuesday through Thursday.
- Meals on Wheels Hub — 1515 Cedar Hill Rd, Lancaster, OH 43130; for individuals age 60 and older; appointments available Fridays only.
- Fairfield County Board of DD Building — 7140 Reynoldsburg-Baltimore Rd, Pickerington, OH 43147; appointments available Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
New This Year: Online Self-Scheduling
Another exciting update for this year’s program is the ability for individuals to schedule their own appointments online.
Simply click the Self-Scheduling button below to select a location, date, and time that works best for you.
Who Qualifies for the Program?
To be eligible for VITA/TCE tax preparation services, individuals must meet one of the following criteria:
- Earned less than $69,000 for the 2025 tax year.
- Be age 60 or older.
- There is no income limit for individuals age 60 and over.
Returns Outside of Our Scope
Please note that we cannot prepare tax returns that include any of the following:
- Rental income.
- Bankruptcies.
- Sale of inherited property, including stocks or housing.
- Cryptocurrency or Bitcoin transactions.
Upcoming Events
Big Brothers Big Sisters: The BIG $14 of Love
FairShare Grand Prize Drawing
Thursday, February 26 @ 5:30 PM
115 S. Broad St
Kick off the Grand Finale to see what FairSahre winner will receive the $7,000 prize!
Center for Independence: Artist Reception
Tuesday, March 3 @ 10:30 AM
219 N Broad St.
Meet the Artists for the FCI Art Exhibit "A Work in Progress" currently on display at the Main Branch of the Fairfield County Library
Awards & Appreciation Luncheon
Thursday, March 5 @ 11:30 AM
1150 Sheridan Dr
Join us as we celebrate the Pillars of our past, present, and the people, partners, and organizations who continue to strengthen our community
Community Listening Session
Wednesday, April 1 @ 3:00 PM
Virtual
This session is open to all community members, donors, and local professionals who care about the future of Fairfield County. Your voice matters, and we want to hear your insights on the most pressing needs within our community.
Impact & Resources
