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“I really enjoy being engaged with the community”

Dan Engen is currently serving as the “Immediate Past Chair” on the United Way of Warren County (UWWC) Board of Directors. During his nearly two decades of involvement with the United Way, Engen has played many different roles.

In the early 2000s, Engen was working for the Cintas Corporation in their corporate offices in Mason. “Our marketing department was doing some pro bono marketing work for UWWC. The manager working on the project suggested that I look into volunteering at UWWC as a way to get involved with a community organization,” explained Engen.

He went to a volunteer recruitment meeting and started as a volunteer on the Venture Grant Committee.  He spent roughly 12-18 months on that committee before progressing to the Allocation Committee. It was after a year on the Allocation Committee that Engen was first recruited to be a board member, which led to his being named Allocation Committee Chairman.

After serving for eight years (the term limit), Engen took a year-long hiatus and then was asked to return to the board where he headed up the annual campaign for two consecutive years, after which he was voted in as Chairman of the Board and served for two years.

In addition to being Vice President of Sales for Prominent Title Agency, his current role at UWWC has him heading up the Governance Committee which is charged with board development and management and functioning within the bylaws.

Said Engen, “Being with the UWWC has afforded me the opportunity to work with so many wonderful charitable organizations and the great people with whom they support. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

“I began searching for work that would make me happy. I found United Way of Warren County.”

Diana Campbell is the Campaign Director for United Way of Warren County. She came to the organization in 1991 after working in a law office for many years. While she found working at the law firm rewarding, it was also quite stressful and at times, very sad.

“Most of the stories I dealt with were personal injury, divorce, rape, DUI, and probate – all very devastating situations. I am an empathetic person,” said Campbell. “It’s been over 26 years, and I carry some of these stories with me still today.”

After the birth of her daughter, she began searching for work that would leave her with a happier, more hopeful feeling. That’s when she found United Way of Warren County and she hasn’t looked back.

“While I see tremendous need and some sad stories through my work at United Way, the majority of what I have experienced is the joy of being able to help individuals and families out of dire situations,” said Campbell. “I have gained personal knowledge of the many services available in Warren County and have met some amazing people through our United Way partnerships. Working at United Way has made a real difference in my life.”

So much so that she’s shared her passion and motivation for serving others with her children, who began volunteering for United Way at a young age. They’ve stuffed envelopes, packed campaign materials, held United Way signs to attract visitors to hot dog cookouts and train rides and walked in 5K Fun/Runs – all for United Way of Warren County.   Her youngest daughter, who was featured on the cover of the United Way of Warren County brochure as a teenager for her volunteer work, is now in college and volunteers for numerous organizations throughout the year.

Said Campbell, “I would like to think that the volunteer experiences my children have had with me at United Way has led them to get involved in causes and organizations that are important to them and has set them on a path to continue to serve as they grow as individuals.”

“Being affiliated with United Way is part of our company’s culture and identity.”

Mardia Shands is the senior director of human resources for Miami Valley Gaming (MVG), a position she has held with the company since its inception in April of 2013.

From the selection of the company’s location – they currently occupy what was once Lebanon Raceway – to the selection of staff, and the creation of corporate policies and procedures, Shands has played an integral role in establishing the company’s “keep it local” culture and mission.

“The building we now occupy has been a part of the Lebanon community for years,” said Shands. “Our employees understand that in addition to being a business operating in Lebanon, it’s important for us to address the social problems in the community and be a part of the solution.”

That shared core value of giving back to the community is why MVG has become such a valued corporate partner of United Way of Warren County (UWWC).

MVG contribution to Lebanon Community

The president/CEO of MVG has always occupied a seat on the UWWC board of directors and Shands herself sits on the board of Lifespan, Inc – a valued agency partner with United Way.

As a company, MVG participates in the annual campaign – raising roughly $12,000 in employee contributions each year. The company also hosts an annual Back to School Supply Drive, and regularly reaches out to local high schools as an Employer of Choice to let students know about the opportunities available to them with MVG.  Many people don’t realize that the majority of MVG’s business is in hospitality and food/beverage service – only 20 percent is in gaming – so opportunities abound for students.

“I personally see every day, the impact we have on income stability and workforce development in our community,” said Shands. “We love United Way – it’s part of the fabric of who we are and we will continue to support them in perpetuity.”

“Being in partnership with United Way of Warren County and seeing first-hand the people whose lives we’ve been able to touch has been life-changing.”

Linda A. Rabolt is the Executive Director of Interfaith Hospitality Network of Warren County (IHNWC), a valued agency partner of United Way of Warren County (UWWC). Rabolt has served as executive director since the organization opened its doors in September of 1998.

Since it’s humble beginnings on Lebanon’s Cherry Street, IHNWC opened its doors for operation with eight host churches that took 28 local homeless families into the program that first year.  Today, not only has the organization grown its network from those original eight to forty-four host churches, they’ve also added additional services to better meet the needs of the growing homeless population in Warren County.

Thanks to UWWC, in addition to non-emergency shelter services, IHNWC now provides homeless prevention & rapid-rehousing, free tax preparation, furniture assistance, and access to the State of Ohio’s benefits.  While IHNWC is devoted to helping families with children, they are also committed to finding solutions for individual community members undergoing hardships through their referral process. In 2016 alone, IHNWC processed over 1,300 referrals.

IHNWC is the only shelter in Warren County that provides families in need with a place to call home – keeping them together at a time when they need one another the most, and equipping them with the resources necessary to get back on their feet.

“Most shelters aren’t able to keep families together, but we think it’s really important for the healing process and developing an action plan moving forward. Everyone has a role to play,” said Rabolt.  “We emphasize accountability and responsibility with the families we serve.”

Rabolt credits the organization’s many volunteers and donors who make the work they do for Warren County families in need possible, and of course, UWWC.

“Being a part of the United Way family has been continually rewarding and has enabled us to maintain a level of excellence in serving our community,” said Rabolt.  “When our families leave our program, they go into housing more prepared than they have ever been.”