United Way of America was founded during World War I as a way to make it easier for businesses to help families in need.
The idea was (and still is) that it’s simpler for businesses to give to one united campaign which then distributes donations throughout the community than it is to give to many individual charities.
United Way of Summit County, which was founded in 1918, funds 114 programs through 51 partner agencies. Programs include The Armed Forces Emergency Services, through the American Red Cross; the Rape Crisis Center, through the YWCA; and the Big Brothers and Sisters program, through Big Brothers & Sisters, to name a few.
Last year, United Way of Summit County raised $12.5 million for programs in Summit County and Wadsworth; this year, it expects to raise $13.5 million.
