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The History of the United Way in Coshocton County

The concept of combining the needs of several charitable organizations and holding one annual fund drive to support them originated with a priest, a rabbi and two ministers in Denver in 1887. The Charity Organization Society, as it was called then, held its first campaign for 22 agencies in 1888 and raised $21,700.

This idea of combined fund raising was a practical answer to a need in most communities. By 1930, there were in excess of 350 organizations raising funds under the banner of Community Chest. Today, more than 2,300 charitable organizations are affiliated with United Way of America.

In the late 1930's, a group of Coshocton citizens became concerned over the number of fund raising drives plaguing the area. They began to take steps to bind the various organizations into a compact unit with one yearly drive. From these actions, the Community Chest was organized March 21, 1940 with Stewart Lane as president. The association chose Guy Clow to head the first campaign with a goal of $16,180 set to meet the needs of seven member agencies; Boy Scouts, Christmas Baskets, Girl Scouts, Hospital Auxiliary, Salvation Army, YWCA, and Summer Band Concert.

The organization's by-laws, then and now, state that the objective of the organization "shall be to develop team work between the various charitable agencies of Coshocton, and their constituencies in the interest of the financial support of such agencies, and the effective planning and execution of the charitable programs of the community." In striving to meet this objective, the United Way has raised more than $5 million since 1940. In addition, the number of partner agencies has grown to include 20 organizations to meet the needs in three areas of service:

Health and Human Service:

  • 1940 - Salvation Army
  • 1961 - American Red Cross
  • 1983 - Maternal/Child and Health Center
  • 1990 - Arthritis Foundation
  • 1991 - Rainbow Children's Center
  • 1995 - First Step Family Violence Intervention Services
  • 1998 - Handicapped Society
  • 1999 - TLC (Tutoring Learning Contributing)
  • 2003 - RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program

Youth Organizations:

  • 1940 - Muskingum Valley Council - Boy Scouts
  • 1940 - Heart of Ohio - Girl Scouts of USA
  • 1982 - Big Brothers Big Sisters

Recreational Organizations:

  • 1941 - Coshocton County Recreation
  • 1951 - Ridgewood Recreation
  • 1956 - Warsaw Youth Development
  • 1978 - Rising Tide Aquatic Club
    Three Rivers Recreation
  • 1956 - Canal Lewisville
  • 1956 - Roscoe
  • 1959 - Conesville
  • 1997 - Union

The Community Chest became affiliated with United Way of America in 1970. The agency incorporated in 1981 and became known as the United Way of Coshocton County, Inc. Volunteers from all walks of life make up the Board of Control. Board members are elected for a three year term. Anyone contributing $1.00 or more is a member of the United Way of Coshocton County, Inc.

United Way has evolved to encompass more than just its original objective of fund raising. The organization has six principles for direction:


  1. Providing leadership on urgent needs
  2. Supporting self-sufficiency
  3. Building coalitions
  4. Exploring new forms of access
  5. Empowering people with knowledge
  6. Providing knowledge