2010 United Way officers

Derek Meinhart, President

Debbie  Albin, Past-President

Brian Daniell, Treasurer

Lew Stiff, Secretary 

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Carolyn Cloyd, Executive Director

History of United Way of Coles County

On November 8, 1956 a “meeting of representatives of all facets of business, labor, health, welfare, and charity agencies of the City of Mattoon” was held at the Burgess-Osborne Auditorium in Mattoon to discuss the organization of a united appeal. A resolution was unanimously adopted creating a Mattoon United Welfare Fund.

The first goal was set at $76,102.30 for 14 organizations including the Boy and Girl Scouts, Cerebral Palsy, Humane Society, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Recreation Board, Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Charities and the USO.

In 1973, the Mattoon United Welfare Fund changed its name to United Way of Mattoon, Inc. to more closely align with United Way objectives.  And in 2001, the organization merged with the Eastern Coles County United Way to form the county-wide United Way of Coles County.

The organization passed the $100,000 mark during the 1976-77, $200,000 in 1995-96 and met a goal of $325,000 in 2007-08.  Today, the United Way of Coles County funds 31 agencies providing services to Coles County residents.

“I think the catalyst was that we thought we could do a better job with one concerted drive.  It made sense to put it all under one umbrella and not have 10 or 15 organizations calling each year.  And United Funds were really just coming into existence, so we thought that it would be the way to go. 

And it’s proven itself over the years.”

William Hamel Jr.

Original Board Member, 1958 Board President