OGLE COUNTY — It’s September, and that can only mean one thing: the Ogle County Community Campaign of United Way of Rock River Valley is officially underway.
Throughout the next few months, many local companies will be talking with employees about the importance of giving to the United Way. Campaign committee members will be explaining how the money raised in Ogle County, stays in Ogle County to help fund many area human service agencies. The employees of Exelon’s Byron Nuclear Generating Plant, Rochelle Foods and Rochelle Community Hospital, plus many others, believe in the strength of the workplace giving campaign and the impact those campaigns have on the health and well-being of the community.  
Average yearly giving is $200,000
In the past five years, workplace gifts to United Way in Ogle County have averaged $200,000 every year. This money has gone to provide important senior transportation for the Hub City Senior Center. It’s been used by HOPE of Ogle County to save women and children from dangerous domestic situations. With funding from United Way, Serenity Hospice and Home’s bereavement program brings peace and support to those grieving after the loss of a loved one. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Focus House, Pinecrest Community, Village of Progress, and many more agencies all offer important programming and services for their clients thanks to funding from United Way.  
Half of All Ogle County residents benefit from United Way services

Right now, United Way funded agencies affect the lives of 26,000 people – every other person in Ogle County benefits from United Way supported services.  In the upcoming weeks, representatives of United Way’s currently funded organizations will be talking with employee groups, explaining how every gift, large or small, makes a life-changing impact to Ogle County residents.  
Each year, givers through workplace campaigns and individual donors are thanked for their gifts, and then asked to give a little bit more. United Way doesn’t ask for more just to raise more money. More is asked so more can be done. More is needed to help United Way partner agencies serve more individuals and families. So they can provide more important services. So they can positively impact more lives.
If there’s a United Way workplace campaign where you work, think about what your $1, $5, or $10 a pay period can do. You can buy a fast food soft drink for $1. And for $1 a pay period you can be a part of the thousands of dollars raised to support life-changing programs and services in the community. Every dollar matters, so when your United Way workplace volunteer asks for your pledge, give what you can.  But please give.
Each year United Way publically thanks the Ogle County companies that run successful campaigns. These are the 2018 campaign award winners:
* The Award of Distinction for high employee participation and a $10,000 or more campaign – Rochelle Foods, Sterling Federal Bank and Stillman Bank
* The Community Impact Award for highest total campaign – Exelon Byron Nuclear Generating Plant
* The Corporate Spirit Award for highest per capita giving – Sterling Federal Bank
* The Spirit of Community Award for largest campaign increase – Byron Bank
* The Rising Star Award for highest employee participation increase – Sterling Federal Bank
* The Living United Award for highest employee participation – Hub City Senior Center.