(STURGIS) - The St. Joseph County United Way held their victory celebration Wednesday night for Campaign 2026.
The celebration was at the Sturges-Young Center For The Arts, and was a way for the United Way to honor their fundraising efforts over the last year and those who contributed. The goal for Campaign 2026 was $1,277,010. The total raised was short of that goal at $1,212,232.
United Way Executive Director Kelly Hostetler thanked the Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs for all of their hard work. The 2026 Co-Chairs were Kathy and Mike Messner along with Jane and Mike Eley of Constantine.
The top ten contributing companies for the campaign were Morgan Olson ($137,451); TH Plastics ($52,917); Dauch, formerly American Axle Manufacturing ($47,263); Abbott Nutrition ($35,154); City of Sturgis ($33,109); GT Independence ($32,789); Burr Oak Tool ($25,280); Beacon Health Three Rivers ($21,780); Kadant Johnson ($18,002); and Oak Press Solutions ($16,342).
Hostetler shared that Special Events made up 44% of the campaign, or $531,125. The Special Events include the WBET Radiothon, Mega Raffle, Silent Auction, Golf Outings, Raffles and the Celebrity Waiter Nights.
Hostetler announced the Campaign 2027 Honorary Co-Chairs, the 6 Ladies From Colon. They are Jan Eichel, Jill Groenendyk, Paige Smolarz, Ann Vinson, Becky Stauffer and Linda Tomlinson.