United Way of Fairfield County June 2026 Newsletter

JUNE NEWSLETTER | 2026

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, April and May were remarkable months for helping keep local children fed and supported.

In just the first two months of launching our youth weekend food program, Fairfield County has already made an incredible impact:

• 1,505 bags of food sent home with local youth
• $6,487 worth of donated food items
• 109 volunteer hours served
• 203 donated miles driven to deliver meals and food

Every volunteer hour, every donated can, and every mile traveled made a meaningful difference for children and families right here in our community. Together, these efforts are creating fuller plates, brighter days, and hope for so many local kiddos.

We are also excited to officially announce the name of our Weekend Backpack Program: the United Way Full Plate Club!

While supporting local youth has always been at the heart of our mission, we officially launched this program just two months ago — and the response from our community has already been overwhelming in the best possible way.

The name “Full Plate Club” reflects our vision of ensuring children have access to balanced meals while also highlighting the importance of a balanced, connected community coming together to support local families. Along with the new name, we are proud to unveil a new logo designed to symbolize nourishment, unity, and community collaboration.

The United Way Full Plate Club represents more than food assistance — it represents compassion, partnership, and a shared commitment to ensuring local children have the support they need to thrive.

As we continue growing this important program, we are also excited to announce that we are hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA member to help support and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Full Plate Club initiative.

This opportunity is ideal for someone looking to build professional skills, gain valuable nonprofit and community engagement experience, and make a direct impact in Fairfield County. We encourage students, recent graduates, career changers, and anyone seeking meaningful entry-level workforce experience to apply and join us in helping create lasting change for local families.

We would also like to extend a special thank-you to our amazing volunteers and community partners from Party Plus, Berne Union Local Schools, Life Church Vineyard, Vineyard Food Pantry, Kiwanis, Fairfield County 211, Christ United Methodist Church, Lancaster Rotary, Kroger, and the Juvenile Courts. Your dedication and hard work continue to make an impact at a time when our community needs it most.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you, Fairfield County, for continuing to show up for our children and families. Your support truly reflects the meaning of “unity in community.” 💙💛

At this year's Kids & Cops Day, we had the opportunity to celebrate something truly special: the Kindness Heroes who make our community stronger every day.

Throughout the event, we invited local children to share what it means to be a Kindness Hero. Their answers were simple, genuine, and powerful reminders of how much impact small acts of kindness can have.

Some of our young Kindness Heroes shared ideas such as:

• "I pick up trash after people drop it."
• "Be a safe friend."
• "Be the reason why people smile."
• "Help others."

These responses remind us that being a hero doesn't always require a badge, a cape, or a grand gesture. Sometimes being a hero means noticing when someone needs help, offering a kind word, lending a hand, or simply making someone feel seen and valued.

Our community's children are leading by example. They are showing us that kindness can be practiced every day, in every neighborhood, classroom, playground, and home. Their actions demonstrate that anyone, regardless of age, can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

We also witnessed another powerful example of kindness in action from one of our valued community partners, Fairfield County 2-1-1. As we navigated challenging weather conditions throughout the event, their team stepped in to help. From assisting us when the wind created difficulties to offering support when the rain arrived, they were there without hesitation.

Their willingness to help was not surprising—it is what they do every day. Fairfield County 2-1-1 connects individuals and families with resources, support, and hope throughout our community. At Kids & Cops Day, they demonstrated those same values through their actions, becoming Kindness Heroes themselves.

The lessons from the day were clear: kindness is contagious, and heroes can be found all around us. Whether it's a child picking up litter, a friend looking out for someone else, a neighbor lending a helping hand, or a community partner stepping in when support is needed, each act of kindness helps build a stronger, more caring community.

As we reflect on Kids & Cops Day, we are grateful for every Kindness Hero who participated and shared their stories. May we all take a lesson from these young leaders and community partners by looking for opportunities to help others, spread joy, and make a positive impact wherever we go.

After all, kindness is one of the most powerful ways we can serve our community—and everyone has the ability to be a hero..

We are proud to recognize our Chief Financial Officer, Garrett Davis, for successfully completing the Lancaster Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. While Garrett consistently demonstrates excellence in his professional role, we are especially proud of the dedication, hard work, and commitment he invested throughout this prestigious leadership course.

As part of the program, Garrett collaborated with his leadership group on a community-focused presentation highlighting one of our valued partner agencies, the Fairfield Center for Independence. Their work helped shine a light on the important services and positive impact the organization provides to individuals throughout our community.

Garrett's commitment to leadership extends far beyond the workplace. In addition to completing the Leadership Program, he recently accepted the role of Treasurer for the Friends of the Parks Board, further demonstrating his dedication to strengthening and supporting our local community.

Whether he is coaching baseball at Lancaster High School, serving on community boards, advancing his professional development, or advocating for local organizations, Garrett consistently leads by example. His passion for service, willingness to give back, and commitment to personal and professional growth make a lasting impact on those around him.

We are grateful to have Garrett as part of our team and are excited to see the continued difference he will make throughout our organization and the community. Congratulations, Garrett, on this outstanding achievement. We know that whatever challenge or opportunity comes next, you will continue to thrive and succeed.

Over the past month, we have been grateful for several opportunities to connect with our community through local Chamber of Commerce events and celebrations.

One highlight was our participation in this year's Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Vendor Show. We were honored to attend and share information about our organization with community members, fellow businesses, and local leaders. Our attendance was made possible through the generosity of Hugh White, who graciously donated table space for us. We are incredibly thankful for this support, which provided us with the opportunity to engage with our community, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the many accomplishments happening throughout Fairfield County.

We were also pleased to attend a recent Pickerington Chamber of Commerce event, where we had the privilege of cheering on several of our valued community partners. We were especially excited to celebrate the Pickerington Food Pantry, Lancaster Fairfield Community Action Agency, and The Lighthouse, all of whom were nominated for Nonprofit of the Year award or the Athena Celebration in recognition of their outstanding service and impact.

It was inspiring to see these organizations recognized for the meaningful work they do each day. We are proud to partner with agencies that are so deeply committed to supporting individuals and families throughout our communities. Their dedication serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration and the positive change that can be achieved when organizations work together toward a common goal.

We extend our congratulations to all of the nominees and award recipients and look forward to continuing to strengthen these partnerships as we work together to serve our community.

The Fairfield County ADAMH Board recently celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting: Venture Place and the Fairfield Center of Hope. The event marked a significant milestone in the county's ongoing commitment to supporting mental health, addiction recovery, wellness, and housing stability for residents.

The Fairfield County ADAMH Board is responsible for planning, funding, and monitoring mental health, addiction, and recovery services across the county. Through initiatives such as Venture Place and the Fairfield Center of Hope, the Board continues to advance its mission of promoting wellness, recovery, and hope for individuals and families.

Located at 230 and 231 Venture Place in Lancaster, the new development includes Venture Place, a 24-unit housing complex, and the Fairfield Center of Hope, which will serve as a vital resource for residents seeking support and recovery services.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together with a shared vision. These new facilities will provide safe housing, supportive services, and renewed opportunities for countless Fairfield County residents for years to come.

Congratulations to the Fairfield County ADAMH Board and all project partners on this extraordinary achievement and investment in the health and well-being of our community.

When we launched the Wheels 2 Work program, our goal was simple: help local young adults overcome transportation barriers and create new opportunities for work, education, and independence.

We are incredibly proud to share that our first participants successfully received vehicles and are already benefiting from the program. Seeing those young adults drive away in reliable transportation was a powerful reminder of why this effort matters and what can be accomplished when a community comes together to invest in its future.

As with many new initiatives, the journey has also brought important lessons. Shortly after the program began, we were notified that the transfer process being used for donated vehicles requires a state-issued motor vehicle dealer license when more than five short-term titles are processed within a year.

While this news is disappointing, it does not diminish the impact the program has already made, nor does it change our commitment to finding solutions. We remain incredibly grateful to Brad Hutchinson, whose vision and leadership helped bring Wheels 2 Work to life, as well as the many community members, businesses, volunteers, and partners who rallied behind this effort.

Most importantly, this pause is not the end of the road.

The need for reliable transportation remains real, and so does our determination to help address it. Over the coming months, we will continue exploring options, building partnerships, and identifying sustainable ways to move this initiative forward while remaining fully compliant with state requirements.

We are proud of what Wheels 2 Work has already accomplished, grateful for the support it has received, and optimistic about what comes next. Sometimes progress requires a brief stop to check the map and choose the best route ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this program and believed in its mission. We look forward to sharing future updates as we continue working toward solutions that will help more young people access the opportunities they deserve.

The journey isn't over—we're simply preparing for the next mile.

United Way of Fairfield County was proud to participate in two wonderful community events this past month hosted by Lancaster Fairfield Community Action Head Start and the Pickerington Library. These events provided an opportunity to connect with local families, share information about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and most importantly, place books directly into the hands of children throughout our community.

Thanks to the support of these events and our community partners, nearly 200 books were given away in a single day. Families were able to learn more about the Imagination Library program, replace well-loved favorite books, and discover new stories to enjoy together at home. Moments like these continue to highlight the importance of early literacy and ensuring children have access to books from an early age.

Many community members may not realize that United Way of Fairfield County helps fund and administer Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library locally. Through this program, children from birth to age five can receive free, high-quality books mailed directly to their homes each month, helping build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and reading success.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helps make this program possible. Special thanks go to those who purchase Dolly Parton license plates, as proceeds directly support Imagination Library programming across Ohio. We would also like to thank CareSource for helping sponsor and donate books during this past month’s events and outreach efforts.

United Way is continuously thankful for the ongoing support of the Fairfield County Foundation, South Central Power, and the PNC Marten’s Trust Fund. Their generosity helps ensure local children and families continue to have access to books and literacy opportunities throughout Fairfield County.

Together, we are helping inspire a love of reading — one book at a time. 📚💙

Date: June 10th @ 6:30 PM

Location: Hunter Park 907 Lincoln Ave

Details: Join our local Kiwanis Club at Hunter Park as your local Kiwanis hosts Story time for our community! In partnership with Lancaster Parks and Rec

Date: June 12th @ 10:00 AM

Location: Victory Park, Pickerington

Details: Bring the family out to Victory Park in Pickerington for a day of fun activities, games, sweet treats and more!

Date: June 12th @ 9:00 AM

Location: The View Golf Club

Details: Show off your best golfing skills while supporting an incredible cause! Join the Lighthouse Domestic Violence Shelter for a day on the greens filled with fresh morning air, friendly competition, and the satisfying crack of a well-hit drive. Enjoy a fun round packed with prizes, exciting challenges, and those heart-racing Hole-in-One moments—every swing helping bring hope and safety to those who need it most.

Date: June 17th @ 6:30 PM

Location: Hunter Park 907 Lincoln Ave

Details: Join our local Kiwanis Club at Hunter Park as your local Kiwanis hosts Story time for our community! In partnership with Lancaster Parks and Rec

Date: June 24th @ 6:30 PM

Location: Hunter Park 907 Lincoln Ave

Details: Join our local Kiwanis Club at Hunter Park as your local Kiwanis hosts Story time for our community! In partnership with Lancaster Parks and Rec

Date: June 26th @ 9:00 AM

Location: Fountain Square

Details: Bring the family out to Fountain Square in downtown Lancaster for a day of fun activities, games, sweet treats and more!

Date: June 26th & 27th

Location: Berne Union Local Schools

Details: Share with all the BAKERS you know! This to be the biggest and best PIE BAKING contest ever! Friday June 26th.

THEN, don't miss the CHARITY PIE AUCTION with Big Brothers & Big Sister of Southeastern Ohio, on Saturday June 27th directly after the parade (from the Bill Palmer Insurance Main Stage).

Date: July 1st @ 6:30 PM

Location: Hunter Park 907 Lincoln Ave

Details: Join our local Kiwanis Club at Hunter Park as your local Kiwanis hosts Story time for our community! In partnership with Lancaster Parks and Rec