Jackson County United Way

The Jackson County United Fund was founded in 1962 by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to find an easier, and more efficient, way to help the social agencies in our county. The corporation was organized following many months of planning, and research, by individuals who were members of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce. They, in turn, drew in... other people from throughout the county to form the first Board of Directors for which Don Bollinger was elected chairman. Joyce Marley was hired as the Executive Secretary. The first Kickoff Dinner was held at the Elks Club with the Seymour Rotary Club hosting the event. George Boas served as the first Drive Chairman, assisted by vice chairmen Arthur Kaufman and Clifford Osterman. There were eleven social agencies involved the first year, most of which are still in the group: Girls Club, Boys Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mental Health, Council for Retarded, Goodwill, United Cerebral Palsy and the Owls Nest. The mascot "JACSY" was introduced at the first drive and stood for the slogan "Jackson County Serving You. He was a familiar figure and readily recognized when the fall campaigns began. An annual school contest for grades 1-6 produced a new slogan for the next year's drive. Although JACSY served the United Fund well, the year 2000 brought a new "look" and slogan. "You Give...You Get" accompanied by a new logo helped start the new millennium for the Jackson County United Fund. One of the unique features of the drive was the formation of the Merit and Booster Clubs. Merit contributors are individuals who pledge 1/10 of 1% of the goal, and Booster Club contributor's pledge 1/20 of 1%. Later a JACSY Club with pledges of 1/2 the amount of the Booster pledge, and in 1998, a Pacesetter Club which is double the Merit pledge, were added. In 2000, the JACSY Club was renamed the Patron Club. There are also the 1% contributors made up of companies who pledge at least 1% of the goal each year. These categories have produced continual increases ...Read More