Vollrath tapped to serve as 2024 United Way campaign chair
You’d be hard pressed to find a bigger champion for Logan County than Ben Vollrath. The president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce moved to Bellefontaine with his family six years ago and instantly fell in love with the small-town atmosphere.
“Logan County has it in a way I’ve never experienced anywhere else,” Vollrath said. “The people here, the care for our neighbors, the ability to have really quality conversations and friendships. I’ve been blown away by Logan County in that sense. This is a special place.
“I love the collaboration that happens. That’s what this community is about. Figuring out how we drive forward together.”
The husband and father of three young children said he knows the future of Logan County depends upon youth being trained to become leaders who are involved and engaged in opportunities in our community.
That’s why he said his most fulfilling work at the Chamber so far has been the development of the 3E Initiative, in which students at every local high school are encouraged to graduate having made a decision to be enrolled in post-secondary education, employed at a local workplace or enlisted in the military.
“Each one of those E’s is equally considered, respected, and honored in Logan County, providing students with a path for their future in a great community where they can make a difference.”
Now Vollrath is looking to make another difference, using his voice and connections as the champion of the 2024 United Way Campaign. Vollrath has done it before — in Union County in 2017 — and he sees the value United Way has here in Logan County.
“United Way is one of those organizations that sees the big picture and is collaborative, pulling people together to accomplish what others can’t do individually,” Vollrath said.
“The focus is, ‘Let’s pool our resources into one place, and that one place is able to provide those resources out where they can have the greatest impact.’ United Way does that in an amazing capacity in our community. This is the organization that brings charitable giving and charitable service all under one roof.”
To Vollrath’s point, 440 volunteers from 50 local workplaces are coming together on Friday, Aug. 23, for United Way’s ninth annual Community Care Day to work on pre-coordinated service projects throughout the county. That serves as the kickoff for the 2024 Campaign. Between then and the end of the year, Vollrath and United Way hope to raise $1 million for the seventh year in a row.
“Giving to United Way is more than just checking a box or doing something out of a sense of duty,” Vollrath said. “These dollars make a difference!
“We are in a low-income community and there are significant needs for education, for financial assistance, for housing stability. It’s not always in your face. But the needs are massive here. So when you give to United Way, there’s a face on the other side of that dollar that is being blessed, that is being impacted. It’s about the people who get the support and the help.”
United Way is the philanthropic hub of Logan County. Since 1955, generations of local residents and businesses make their charitable impact through United Way. When you give to United Way, you become a part of a long-standing solution that works to positively influence the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Logan County. More than just a fundraiser, United Way collaborates with businesses, non-profits, government, and civic organizations to address the growing needs of our community. No gift is too large or too small, as your contributions of time and treasure unite with those of others to make a difference here at home.
For more information or to make your gift to the 2024 campaign, please visit www.uwlogan.org.
