There had to be a better way to help those in need.
When community leaders from throughout Johnson County gathered together in late 1960, their goal was to improve support for social service agencies and organizations. Instead of each individual group asking for money on their own, a central fund could maximize donations and spread assistance to groups making the biggest difference in people’s lives.
All these years later, the United Way of Johnson County is still operating within that simple framework. But its scope and impact has grown tremendously, making it one of the county’s most important organizations.
“United Way has a history of bringing community together to solve and address human needs in our community. The organization has stayed with that focus, and I’m proud to say that this United Way has really focused on some very strong community initiatives,” said Nancy Lohr Plake, executive director of the United Way of Johnson County.
Since it was founded in 1961, the United Way of Johnson County has raised millions of dollars and touched countless lives. The group has helped fund some of the county’s most important social agencies, helping local residents who were hungry, homeless, in need of education and a myriad of other needs.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year has given staff members, volunteers and longtime supporters a chance to reflect on what the United Way brings to the community.
“It’s a great opportunity to highlight and promote the work that the United Way does in Johnson County, and also to promote the other agencies and groups that serve our county,” said Steve Powell, a United Way board member.
What would become the United Way of Johnson County was born on May 9, 1961. Community and agency leaders from throughout the county had been working to create a United Fund, a central fundraising organization that would support community programs that weren’t being funded at the time.
The first campaign was held in the fall of 1961, which kicked off with a parade. Organizers raised more than $43,000 to be split up among organizations such as the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Campfire Girls, Girls Scouts, the Johnson County Mental Health Association and the Salvation Army.
A portion of the campaign was set aside “to meet emergency calls of member social agencies for either local or national epidemics or disasters,” according to the Franklin Evening Star on Sept. 26, 1961.
Through the years, the fund and its organization grew slowly but consistently. By 1969, it was raising more than $54,000. Ten years later, it was bringing in more than $156,000 and supporting 17 agencies, and after its third decade in existence, the United Fund provided money to 29 agencies and raised more than $346,000.
People seemed willing to support an organization based in the county, led by area residents and that directly helped local residents.
“It shows the staying power of the Unite Way concept, of the community getting together and supporting things that are important,” said Margo Martin, a former board member and campaign chairperson for the organization.
Martin had been involved with the United Way prior to her family moving to Franklin — in Louisville, Kentucky, and Atlanta, Georgia. Because she was familiar with the organization and believed in its mission, she wanted to be involved when she found out Johnson County had one.
The organization was much different in the early 1980s than it is now, Martin said.
“It was a very small, volunteer-run organization. I think we raised about $40,000 the first year I was there, and we had one part-time employee who kept the books and helped us,” she said.
But that would change in coming years. Each campaign seemed to bring in more money, which led to the support of more agencies. In 1990, the organization officially changed its name to the United Way of Johnson County. Plake was hired as its first executive director.
Under Plake’s leadership, as well as that of the board of directors, the United Way started branching out to address needs that existing agencies were not covering. The organization started a county-wide transportation committee in 1994 to look at ways to provide rides to residents who had no other form of transportation. That committee’s work led to the creation of ACCESS Johnson County, which in 2020 provided 79,000 rides to local residents.
The Day of Caring was created two years later, providing a focused volunteering effort across the county and serving as a kickoff to the annual campaign. The Helpline, a telephone number that could connect people in need with resources around the community, came under the United Way’s leadership in 1997.
Two of the most popular United Way programs, Christmas Angels, which provided gifts for children during the holidays, and Operation Bundle Up, which ensured no county residents went without coats, were created shortly after.
“As a not-for-profit, you always rely on the community’s support. We don’t have a ‘product’ to sell; we have services and a commitment that we’re going to serve the community, and serve those who are in most need,” Plake said. “The community recognizes that and supports it.”
Vicki Noblitt started her involvement with the United Way of Johnson County as an educator at Greenwood Community Middle School, where the staff was part of the annual fundraising campaign. Later, she served on an allocations panel and on the board.
This year, she’s back on the board, serving as the allocations chair and helping decided how much money goes to each agency.
“The agencies that it supports do a lot of good work for the community,” she said. “They fill a significant niche in making sure people have access to the services that make their lives better.”
Recent natural disasters and public emergencies expanded the United Way of Johnson County’s reach.
When the 2008 floods devastated communities throughout the county and left many people without homes, the United Way stepped up in the hours and days that followed to lead relief efforts. The organization provided direct assistance for rent, utilities and medication. A donation center allowed victims to get clothing, furniture, appliances and other items lost in the flood.
The United Way was instrumental in creating Johnson County Community Organizations Active in Disasters, which provided long-term assistance with needs such as construction and case management for those impacted by the floods.
The following year, as recession led to large-scale unemployment, the United Way founded Economic Assistance Plan — Navigating Job Loss. People who had lost their jobs would apply for immediate assistance on rent or other bills, while also receiving case management to re-enter the workforce.
That program served as a template in 2020, when the pandemic again lost large swaths of the community without work or ways to pay their bills.
Economic Assistance Plan — Navigating COVID-19 was launched roughly one month after nearly all businesses shut down to the public.
“Our board is never afraid to run towards an issue. We’ve done some things that typical United Ways don’t do,” Plake said. “It’s strange how certain events have prepared us for something that happened later on.”
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Here is a look at the history of United Way of Johnson County:
May 9, 1961: Johnson County United Fund (JOCUF) is founded
March 1962: The United Fund purchased its first adding machine for $200
Sept. 30, 1964: The first kick-off event is held at Scott Hall in Franklin
April 1967: The United Fund moved to a new office at 61 N. Main St. in Franklin
1969: After 10 years, the United Fund is funding 11 agencies and the fundraising drive is bringing in nearly $54,000.
1979: By the end of its second decade, the organization is funding 17 agencies and raising more than $156,000.
1989: At 30 years, the United Fund is supporting 29 agencies and bringing in more than $346,000.
1990: The United Fund changed its name to United Way of Johnson County. Nancy Lohr-Plake is hired as its first executive director.
1994: The United Way establishes a county-wide transportation committee, which later led to the creation of ACCESS Johnson County.
1996: First Day of Caring is held, with five companies participating.
Feb. 29, 1996: In joint partnership with United Way of Central Indiana, the county organization opened the Human Resource Center in Greenwood.
Jan. 7: 1997: Helpline program became a function of the United Way.
1999: Forty years in, the United Way is funding 33 agencies and raising more than $950,000.
1999: First Christmas Angels program is held.
2002: Operation Bundle Up is founded, distributing more than 1,500 coats.
2005: Using Center Grove’s program as a model, the United Way brings Fast Track to all six county school districts.
June 2008: United Way of Johnson County helps lead relief efforts following devastating floods.
August 2009: Due to the declining economy and joblessness, the United Way creates the Economic Assistance Plan, Navigating Job Loss.
2010: Launched website at www.uwjc.org
2013: United Way of Johnson County moved to a new location at 460 North Morton Street.
2015: Steering committee was established to begin addressing the homeless issue in Johnson County.
October 2016: No Place to Call Home became an official program of United Way of Johnson County and began serving clients in October.
2020: In response to the global pandemic, United Way of Johnson County created the Economic Assistance Plan Navigating COVID-19.
Source: United Way of Johnson County
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