The First 100 Years...
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 make Denver a better place for all. These Founders* put together an idea that became the nations 1st united campaign benefiting local area health and welfare agencies.
Collecting the funds for local charities and coordinating relief services and emergency assistance grants, the new partnership built a fundraising federation. The first year the people of Denver raised $21,700 for the greater good and started a movement that would become United Way.
Today, United Way still fuels local solutions to communities’ toughest problems by connecting resources in innovative ways. By bringing local people, organizations and communities together, we focus on a common vision and a common path for the future. But we’re not your grandfather’s United Way.
United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties started in 1919 as the Social Service League. Our name has changed over the years and our role is constantly evolving to meeting the needs. The common thread between United Way’s history and its future is that if people are hungry children are not successful in school, and families are in crisis, we have an obligation to act.
United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties 100th Year Celebration Kickoff
Pictured Back Row Left to Right: Stu Mullins-UWJWC Partner Agency, Susie Poulton- UWJWC Partner Agency, Jan Jensen-Past Campaign Co-Chair, Mark Nolte-Board Chair, Bob Dvorsky-2019-20 Campaign Co-Chair, Sarah Krumm 100th Year Celebration Co- Chair, Tim Krumm - Sarah Krumm 100th Year Celebration Co-Chair
Front Row: Sue Dvorsky 2019-20 Campaign Co-Chair
1919: Founded as the Social Service League United Welfare Drive
1930: Name Changes to Community Chest
1941: Name Changes to Iowa City Community Chest
1943: Name Changes to War-Community Chest
1958: Name Changes to Community Givers of Iowa City, Coralville, and University Heights
1961: Roberta Patrick is hired as first half-time Executive Secretary
1968: Name Changes to United Community Services of Johnson County, Iowa, Inc.
1971: Name Changes to United Way of Johnson County, Inc.; Linda Glazer hired as first Executive Director.
1972: Pat Hanrahan replaces Glazer as Executive Director
1977: Mary Ann (Volm) Madden replaces Hanrahan as Executive Director.
1993: Teresa McLaughlin replaces Madden as Executive Director
1998: Beverly Weber replaces McLaughlin as Executive Director
2004: Connie Benton Wolfe replaces Weber as President and CEO.
2008: Christine Scheetz replaces Benton Wolfe as President and CEO.
2014: Name Changes to United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties
2014: Interim Director, Mary Westbrook appointed
2015: Katie Knight hired as President and CEO.
2022: Interim Director, Mary Westbrook appointed
United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties'
100th Year Special Events
Click on the Event Name or Image to View Event Images
CHEERS TO 100 YEARS CULMINATING EVENT
"LIGHT THE WAY"
"FLAGGING THE PENTACREST"
PHOTOS COMING SOON...
"BUILD ME A LEARNING SPACE"
"COMMUNITY PROCLAMATIONS"
"GROWING OUR FUTURE"
"100th YEAR BIRTHDAY PARTY"
"4thFEST PARADE"
"100th YEAR KICKOFF"
PREMIER SPONSOR
THREE PILLAR SPONSOR
GAME CHANGER SPONSOR
HAND RAISER SPONSOR
NEUMANN MONSON ARCHITECTS | MORTENSON
LEADERSHIP SPONSOR
DEERY BROTHERS FORD LINCOLN | GEICO | GREAT WESTERN BANK
HODGE CONSTRUCTION & THE HODGE FAMILY
MIRON CONSTRUCTION | RELION INSURANCE SOLUTIONS | SCHEELS
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO...
CORALVILLE MARRIOTT & HANDS JEWELERS