United Way of Sandusky County's History

United Way History

In 1887, a Denver woman, a priest, two ministers and a rabbi got together... It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but they didn't walk into a bar; what they did do was recognize the need to work together in new ways to make Denver a better place.

Frances Wisebart Jacobs, the Rev. Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J.O’Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman put together an idea that became the nation's first united campaign, benefitting 10 area health and welfare agencies. They created an organization to collect the funds for local charities, to coordinate relief services, to counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and to make emergency assistance grants for cases that could not be referred. That year, Denver raised $21,700 for this greater good, and created a movement that would become United Way.

United Way has since become an international network of over 1,100 nonprofit fundraising affiliates engaged in 37 countries and territories now recognized as United Way Worldwide.  Each local United Way organization serves as an independent separately incorporated entity, governed by local volunteers to focus on the most important needs in each community. In many communities, United Way is the only nonprofit building up the cornerstones of education, financial stability and health—and the only nonprofit bringing people together from all walks of life to be a part of local solutions.

United Way of Sandusky County was founded in 1930 with the Chamber of Commerce organizing the first meeting of various charitable agencies responding to the need for additional community services and funding sources. By the conclusion of this meeting the Community Chest was formed. With a goal of raising $29,790 the first year, the committee surpassed their goal raising $35,000. In 1958, under the leadership of Fremont resident, Al Nichols, the Community Chest became the United Fund raising approximately $69,000 and serving 5,800 residents. In 1976, under the leadership of Clarence Schiefer the United Fund expanded to becoming a countywide program becoming the United Way of Sandusky County and raising over $161,000.

Today, United Way of Sandusky County continues to serve as an impact leader in the community. Its yearly campaign raises between $650,000 and $750,000 and funds over 25 vital community programs, serving tens of thousands of Sandusky County residents.