United Way began as a voluntary, charitable movement in 1887 in Denver, Colorado. A Denver woman, a priest, two ministers and a rabbi recognized the need to create a community effort that focused on addressing local problems. They joined forces to create an organization to help meet local needs through one singe annual fundraising campaign for twenty-two agencies. That campaign raised $21,700 and created a movement that would spread throughout the country.
The organization throughout the years went through several name changes including The Red Feather Society, Community Chest, United Fund to the United Way name that is nationally recognized today.
Today the system is worldwide in 41 countries and has 1,800 local organizations across the USA. In 2010, the United Way worldwide movement raised $5.09 billion.
The local United Way organization was formed in 1971 combining the local United Funds in Oil City and Franklin. After closing both offices in Oil City and Franklin, the new home for the Countywide Organization was located in the Venango Human Services Center. Serving as the first Countywide Director was W. Forrest Sharpnack.
The By-Laws of the newly formed organization called for twelve Directors from Franklin and twelve from Oil City, plus the President. Franklin Directors included: Tom Brickley, David W. French, Wayne Harton, Adm. Morris Hirsch, Al Iorfido, Larry Keenan, Joseph Levi, Ralph Montgomery, John O’Toole, Burton Strawbridge, William Troxell and Russell D. Wilson. The Oil City Board Members were John Bracken, Mrs. Madge Dinberg, Robert D. Harman, James Hovis, Albert E. Kiefer, Thomas G. Mansfield, J.G. Montgomery, Thomas Ossoff, Milton W. Rosen, Robert Schettler, Henry B. Suhr, Jr. and W. K. Bayer.
W. William Carson was hired as the second Executive Director in 1972. Carson held that position until 1980 when A. Jane Klinger was named as his replacement. Klinger still serves as Executive Director of the local organization today.
Since being Incorporated as a Countywide organization, the United Way of Venango County has raised $14, 916,181 to help people in this community, thanks to the generosity of local citizens.
Campaign Chairpersons serving the United Way of Venango County have been: (1973) Thomas G. Mansfield; (1974) Jennie M. Brandon; (1975) Albert E. Smathers; (1976) Stanley J. Riordan; (1977) Richard L. Mong; (1978) John A. Comet; (1979) Spence H. Garvin; (1980) Ralph L. Montgomery; (1981) Charles E. Beck; (1982) James G. Anderson; (1983) Beverly K. Snyder; (1984) David M. Hershberger; (1985) Mary Ransford White; (1986) R. Lee James and (1987) Roberta B. Williams. The following year, the organization ran its campaigns with Co-Chairpersons leading the way. The first co-chairpersons, Robert Spaulding and Lee James coordinated the 1988 campaign; (1989) Thomas Golonski & Peter Hughes; (1990) Keith Pemrick & Neil Todhunter; (1991) Eugene Bak & Lee Strickland; (1992) James Hawkins & Wesley S. Hill; (1993) Dennis Pascarella & Libby Williams; (1994) Pamela Waters & Joseph Griswold; (1995) Connie Dainty & Patricia Feroz; (1996) Linda Greenfield & Frank Serbati; (1997) Joseph Pastor & James Caffrey; (1998) Kathleen Gatto & Kelly Donaldson; (1999) Rhonda Steigerwald & Judy Saltzman; (2000) Ronald Saunders & Stephen Pikna; (2001) Stella Kudlac & Bob Stubler; (2002) Barbara Frantz & Robert Carone; (2003) Karen Fischer & Millie Wible; (2004) Minnie Fink & Dave Hall; (2005) Jennifer Friedhaber & Dan Marlatt; (2006) Courtney Cox & Loretta Strawbridge; (2007) Lance Titus & Bob Cross; (2008) Donna Cornelius & Beth Harman; (2009) Kay Hopwood & Terri Wood; and (2010) Cindy Engel and Amy Uhler.
In addition to the annual campaign chairpersons, many distinguished community leaders have lead the United Way as President of the Board of Directors. Those individuals are (1972) Adm. Morris Hirsch; (1973) Robert Schettler; (1974) Ralph Montgomery; (1975) Thomas Mansfield; (1976) John O’Toole; (1977) James Foster; (1978) Sarah Cochran; (1979) Henry B. Suhr, Jr.; (1980) Jennie M. Brandon; (1981) Frank Kulling; (1982) Marsha Miller; (1983) Dennis Hilton; (1984) David Brandt; (1985) Richard Walentoski; (1986) Larry Zimmerman; (1987) James G. Anderson; (1988) Sally Mays; (1989) Keith M. Pemrick; (1990) Peter Hughes; (1991) R. Lee James; (1992) Elaine Frey; (1993) James Heasley; (1994) Colleen Breene; (1995) Dennis Pascarella; (1996) Libby Williams; (1997) Pamela Evans; (1998 & 1999) Connie Dainty; (2000) Linda Greenfield; (2001) Ronald Saunders; (2002) Kelly Donaldson; (2003) Stella Kudlac; (2004) Barbara Frantz; (2005 & 2006) Patricia Feroz; (2007) Kathy Gatto ; (2008) Minnie Fink ; (2009 & 2010) Tom Allen and currently serving is Terri Wood serving in 2011 and currently serving to Jennifer Cisek.