News and Events

2007 Galluzzi Volunteer of the Year Awards

The United Way's Roger Hill Volunteer Center announced the recipients of the 2007 Galluzzi Volunteer of the Year Awards at the Annual Meeting February 28. Reathyl Brummett was the recipient in the adult category, for her service to Lawrence Memorial Hospital .  Brummett is pictured here, center, along with Tracie Massey (left), Manager of the Roger Hill Volunteer Center, and Marie Galluzzi Potter.

In the youth category, for her service also with Lawrence Memorial Hospital, the recipient was Justine Ahle, a high school student at Free State High School and a recently named National Merit Semi-Finalist. Ahle is pictured here (left) with Marie Galluzzi Potter.

The Galluzzi award was founded in 1985 and is named after the late Wally Galluzzi, who came to Lawrence with his family in 1963 to serve as principal of Haskell Institute.  In 1983 Wally served as the chair of the United Way campaign (then known as the United Fund Drive). He was involved with a number of non-profit agencies in service and leadership capacities; and he exemplified the dedication and volunteer spirit that benefits the community and those who most need assistance.

For additional information about the Galluzzi Awards, please visit the Roger Hill Volunteer Center website at www.rhvc.org.

Chuck and Karen Warner, 2007 United Way Co-Chairs, announce the campaign total of $1,720,000 at the January 16th Campaign Celebration at the Eldridge Extended.

United Way announces campaign total of $1,720,000

The United Way of Douglas County is pleased to report an estimated campaign total of $1,720,000 for the 2007-2008 Campaign “It takes all of us to make a difference”. The Campaign results were announced at the January 16th Campaign Celebration held at the Eldridge Extended Valentine Room. This figure exceeds the goal of $1,700,000, and represents an increase of 5% over last year’s announced campaign results of $1,636,000.

To show its appreciation for area businesses campaign results, the United Way presented Corporate Honor Roll Awards and Awards of Excellence . A complete listing of these awards appear on our Campaign Awards page. To view the complete list of Campaign Awards click here.

Welcome Erika Dvorske

The United Way welcomes Erika Dvorske as the new President/CEO. She replaces Jo Bryant, who led United Way of Douglas County from 1981 to 1986 and returned to the post in 1998. Bryant will continue to work as a consultant with the organization until her retirement in March.

Dvorske brings to the post 6 years of experience with United Way of Wyandotte County. Her roles included Research and Marketing, and Director of Community Investment, where she developed and implemented a community planning process to inform funding priorities for the Board of Directors. Her job also included working with many agencies in the Kansas City area to help them develop effective program outcomes and provide accountability to the community.

Before entering her United Way career path, Dvorske spent five years at the University of Kansas in education and administration. “I am a proud University of Kansas Alumna,“ Dvorske said. “While at KU I became familiar with the Lawrence community and its amazing assets. I particularly appreciate the strong identity of Lawrencians, the abundance of successful locally-owned businesses, as well as a network within the faith community. I am excited to be a part of a United Way that is doing great things to strengthen the community by supporting the needs of its residents.”

Dvorske will be relocating to Lawrence soon with her husband, John, and two children, Nicholas and Renee.

2008 Community Impact Grant Awarded to the Skill Builders Program

The United Way Board of Directors presented the 2008 Community Impact Grant to the “Skill Builders Program” at the January 16 Campaign Celebration. Judy Bellome, Executive Director of the Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation & Hospice Care, received the award, along with partner agencies including the Douglas County Library and the Douglas County Senior Services. The Skill Builders Program is an educational and emotional support program for widows and widowers, teaching skills such as how to cook for one or how to pay bills while providing emotional and grief support. The Community Impact Grant will provide $47,000 funding over a 3 year period.