United Way of Elgin names annual campaign leaders
The United Way of Elgin recently announced David Sam, president of Elgin Community College, and Tonya Lucchetti-Hudson, director of public affairs at Advocate Sherman Hospital, as co-chairs of the 2016-17 "Campaign for the Community."
They will lead the effort to bring together businesses, organizations and residents to raise $900,000 to meet the needs of families and individuals in the Elgin area.
Sam has been president of Elgin Community College for nine years. A native of Ghana, West Africa, Sam holds a bachelor's degree in economics, political science and history from Illinois State University, a Ph.D. in international relations from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, an MBA in finance and marketing from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, a J.D. from the University of Akron Law School, and two other advanced degrees. Since starting his tenure at ECC, Sam has been involved with and served on boards of many local and state organizations, including 9 years as a United Way of Elgin board member.
Tonya Lucchetti-Hudson is a lifelong resident of Elgin and grew up in Elgin Area School District U-46 schools. She attended ECC and graduated from Judson University with bachelor's degree in communication and Roosevelt University with a master's degree in integrated marketing communications. Over the past 10 years of living and working in the Elgin community, she has served on numerous boards, including the past three years with United Way of Elgin, supported a variety of nonprofit organizations and causes, and recently co-founded a nonpartisan civic organization called Elgin Civics Club.
Sam and Lucchetti-Hudson share a passion for serving the community and bringing people together to make a meaningful difference.
"United Way allows us to mobilize resources in our community to help our less fortunate neighbors," Sam said. "At this period in time, with a state budget crisis, the need is more paramount than ever before. In my role as co-chair, I will be able to work harder than ever before to help improve the quality of life in our community."
The vision for this year's campaign is "Together, we're changing the story," focusing on raising awareness and much-needed funds for programs and services that support the health, education and financial stability of every person United Way of Elgin serves.
"Health, education and financial stability are the building blocks of a community," said Lucchetti-Hudson. "The programs and services provided by United Way of Elgin and its partner agencies are essential to supporting successful families and thriving communities."
In 2015, a few of the benefits provided through United Way of Elgin-funded programs and services included:
• 323,860 meals provided to children, families and seniors;
• $2.8 million tax refunds and poverty-fighting tax credits secured for Elgin families and individuals;
• 431 individuals received 13,590 nights of shelter;
• 245 individuals developed employment skills and maintained employment;
• 954 individuals received critical therapy services to improve their coping skills;
• 631 children received quality child care, preschool and early intervention services and 71% reached age-appropriate developmental milestones;
• 893 youth actively participated in an after-school program to help them maintain or improve their grades.
The United Way of Elgin serves the areas of Elgin, South Elgin, Hampshire, Burlington, Pingree Grove, and La Fox.
To make it easier to support this year's campaign, United Way of Elgin has launched a new online community fundraising tool that allows individuals to not only make a gift online, but to build a personal or team campaign page to solicit additional support from friends and family. Other ways to give include workplace campaigns where employees can give through payroll deduction, corporate gifts from businesses and organizations, and volunteering.
The community is invited to learn more about the United Way of Elgin and how to get involved at the "Campaign for the Community" kickoff lunch at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, at Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave. in Elgin. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by calling (847) 741-2259 or visiting www.uwelgin.org/campaignkickoff.