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United Way grateful for past, continued support

Tami Cashioli, finance director, and Laura Rauch, executive director, United Way of Jefferson County, with some of the cookie sale donations -- Janice Kiaski

STEUBENVILLE — The United Way of Jefferson County recently wrapped up its first cookie tray sale fundraiser earlier this week, which was hailed a sweet success by Laura Rauch, executive director, and Tami Cashioli, finance director.

The United Way representatives expressed appreciation to its many cookie donors along with “cookie elves” who helped tray the goodies.

While the cookie sale marked a first-time event in 2021 for the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, so, too, was the inaugural Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K Run/Walk named in memory of Kresser, who was a United Way leader as a former director, supporter and community volunteer.

Her death in June to brain cancer inspired a group to organize in her memory the fundraiser that included a Chinese auction and informational tables manned by representatives of some of the agencies supported by the United Way. It was held Sept. 25 at Jim Wood Park in Steubenville’s West End, off John Scott Highway.

“We were ecstatic about the large turnout,” Rauch commented earlier this week in reviewing past fundraisers along with ones on the calendar for early 2022.

Sherri Wilson, sister of Suzanne Kresser; Laura Rauch, executive director, United Way of Jefferson County; and Ted Gorman, United Way campaign chair

“We had more than 104 registered participants and approximately 140 supporters and volunteers come out the day of at Jim Wood Park,” she noted.

The fundraiser enabled supporters not interested in running or walking to do some yoga instead.

Winners were:

5K run overall

Female: Allee Brancazio, first; Sarah Ostovich, second; and Paige Toothman, third.

Some of the runners who participated

Male: Bobby McDonald, first; Ryan Ramsey, second; and Kevin Wagner, third.

5K walk overall:

Female: Kari Byers, first; Kelly Franiy, second; and Amy Davis, third.

Male: Jeff Wilson, first; Kody Bennett, second; and Robert Ronevich, third.

5K Run, female, age group winners

Francesca Carinci, Anthony Mougianis and Jeanne D’Anniballe;

Age 15-19: Allee Brancazio, first; Sarah Ostovich, second.

Age 20-29: Kathryn Crow, first; Cari Wagner, second.

Age 30-39: Cherie Ramsey, first.

Age 40-49: No participants.

Age 50-59: Elena Tuhy-Walters, first; Christine Sabatasse, second.

Participants before the start of the event

Age 60 and over: Janice Kiaski, first; Martha Kovach, second.

5K Run, male, age group winners

Age 15-19: Bobby McDonald, first.

Age 20-29: Kevin Wagner, first.

Age 30-39: Domenic Presutti, first; Kenyon McAllister, second.

Kyla Wilson, 4, makes a Chinese auction selection, with her mother, Hanna Wilson of Toronto.

Age 40-49: Ryan Ramsey, first; Bryan Hyndman, second.

Age 50-59: John Wells, first; Shawn Javens, second.

Age 60 and over: William Allen, first.

Top walkers, female

Kari Byers, first; Kelly Franiy, second; Amy Davis, third; Jamies Perkins, fourth; Lisa Smith, fifth; Nancy Ronevich, sixth; Cheryl Lightfritz, seventh.

Top walkers, male

Jeff Wilson, first; Kody Bennett, second; Robert Ronevich, third; Rich Cesta, fourth; Charles Slike, fifth; Rick Parker, sixth; Rick Patterson, seventh.

“Because of COVID numbers on the rise at the time, we decided to postpone the Taste of Jefferson County until April 6, 2022, due to it being an indoor event,” Rauch explained, adding that a poker run intended for October was canceled because of rain. That fundraiser is postponed until spring.

“Our goal right now is spreading awareness about how the United Way of Jefferson County assists the 13 local agencies that help those in need of the services that the agencies provide,” Rauch commented.

“These services include domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, basic needs, seniors, emergency disaster, youth development and health services,” noted Rauch.

“Our financial goal for 2021 was not met. This is a time that our community can come together and show their support of the United Way by making a donation. Those contributions go toward funding our agencies for 2021-22,” she added.

For information on supporting the United Way, call the office at 511 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, at (740) 284-9000 or visit the website at www.unitedway-jc.org. The Facebook page is United Way of Jefferson County Ohio.

Laura Rauch, front center, executive director, United Way of Jefferson County, and behind her, Frank and Linda Slowikowski, Suzanne Kresser’s parents, with some of the event winners

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