Volunteer of the Month

Duane Stutzman (Pictured above (Left) with T.J. Wright, 2nd grader at Keene Elem.), December’s United Way Volunteer of the Month!

Duane Stutzman, who volunteers for the Tutoring, Learning & Contributing program (TLC) has been named the United Way of Coshocton County Volunteer of the Month for December. Stutzman was nominated by Kathy Raber, Keene TLC Supervisor.

Duane Stutzman has been a TLC tutor at Keene Elementary for 2 years. He is a junior at River View High School. When Duane arrives at tutoring, he is the one everyone (tutors and students) looks up to. “From the time he hits the door until the end of each session, he always has a smile on his face, energy that is contagious. He is always positive and ready to do whatever is asked of him,” states Raber. The word “no” is not in his vocabulary. Because he is so committed to the program, his students work really hard to get a high five, “good job” or just a smile out of Duane. He strives every week to bring out the best in everyone. According to Raber, Stutzman is a great mentor for everyone he touches. Raber feels he is a true blessing to the TLC program. “We are so lucky to have Duane in our program. He is such a dedicated and caring young adult. When I think of T.L.C, I think of Duane and smile,” states Raber.

In addition to his work with T.L.C., Stutzman has dedicated over 100 hours of service to the Coshocton Hospital, he helps with the youth program at his church, is a Junior Leader, a Jr. Fairboard member, and helps with the Higher Hopes auction. He enjoys helping backstage with the school drama department. He has also been known to help disabled children at the Christmas program, help clean up the park after the big storm, and help friends and neighbors with anything that needs done. Stutzman is the son of Mary and Nelson Stutzman and has two sisters Lisa and Marium.

T.L.C. is a free, after-school tutoring program that matches volunteer Jr. and Sr. High School students with elementary students. There are currently 13 T.L.C. sites throughout the county. For more information regarding enrolling a student or becoming a volunteer, contact Katrina Havranek, county coordinator at 622-2924.

On behalf of the Board of United Way of Coshocton County, Inc., I would like to congratulate and thank Duane Stutzman for being recognized as a person in our community who is willing to volunteer his time and talents to the community. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.

The Night Before Christmas -United Way style

Tis’ the night before Christmas
And all through the house,
The cats are not stirring
Thank God there’s no mouse.

When out on the roof
Arose such a clatter
I pulled on my sweats
To see what was the matter.

I threw open the window
Drew up my gaze
To see a sight
That did shock and amaze.

Out on the roof
With a thump on the snow
Landed a sleigh and a driver
Sporting a United Way logo!

His smile was merry
His features so bright
I knew in a second
He was our hero tonight.

As I drew in my hand,
And was turning around
Down the chimney our Hero
Came with a bound.

I stood quite still
When he landed so slow
And asked him quite simply
Why the UWay Logo?

His eyes, how they twinkled
His dimples so merry
He answered quickly
And did not tarry.

“Tis the season of giving,
of love and of sharing.
What better way to
Show we are caring?

Than to give to the needy,
Provide for the poor
United Way does that,
And so much more.

With problems so great
In our world today
It gives me hope
To see United Way…

Address the issues
Our communities face
To find solutions
With dignity and grace.”

Laying a finger
Aside of his nose
With a wink and a smile
Up the chimney he rose

I knew it was Santa
That jolly old elf
Who cared about this world
More than himself.

I heard him exclaim
As he flew out of sight
“Give to United Way &
May your holidays be bright!”

Half Way There!

I am happy to announce that we are officially half way to our $375,000 goal!

Congratulations to the Schools Division! They were the first group to hit and exceed their goal!
This year the schools have brought in $28,658.96!

Here's where the others are ranked as of today...

Goal; Total raised; % of Goal
Public Employees $20,000; $19,908; 99.5% -Only $92 away!
Retiree $10,000; $ 3,399; 94%
Professional $23,000; $21,025; 91.4 %

Special Gifts (500+) $23,000; $19,120; 83%
Retail/Small Business $45,000; $36,033; 80%
Agribusiness $5,000; $3,790; 75%
Industrial $221,000; $28,502; 13%

We need you! If you haven't given, please consider helping out. Those struggling need us more now than ever. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 84 or donate online by going to our website at http://www.coshoctonunitedway.org/. Thank you!