CLINTON, Iowa – Andrew Green said a big part of his new role with United Way of Clinton County, Iowa, will be “growing relationships” in the community.
Mr. Green, 34, began as the organization’s new executive director Dec. 1. His first priority is building relationships with people and groups in the community, and getting them to understand the importance of the United Way. Some of those United Way jobs he wants people to know about include helping community food pantries, providing rent assistance, helping people pay for prescription medications and helping people file their income taxes.
“I want to make sure that we work on the ‘Clinton County’ aspect in our name; not just focus on Clinton,” he added, stating that he wants United Way’s efforts to be felt in communities throughout the county, not just in the City of Clinton.
Before taking on his new job, Mr. Green worked for the Boy Scouts of America for about 10 years. That experience includes serving as district director of the Mid-American Council of the Boy Scouts in Spencer, Iowa; district director of the Crossroads of America Council of the Boy Scouts in Indianapolis; and district executive of the Boy Scouts of America Illowa Council, based in Davenport.
He said those positions helped him improve the important skills of cultivating and building community relationships.
One of the top priorities that Mr. Green is focused on is helping the United Way reach its annual campaign goal of $650,000. The campaign had reached about 57% of the goal as of mid-January, according to the organization’s website. At this time last year, United Way was at about 66% of its goal.
“Due to local job losses and financial hardships, some regular donors are understandably no longer able to give this year. Families who’ve never asked for help before are now seeking assistance from the agencies that we support, for help with rent, food and utility bills,” United Way said on its website. “Gifts stay local to help local families by funding programs at a number of local partner agencies such as The Associate Benevolent Society, Information Referral and Assistance Service, and Iowa Legal Aid.”
About 18 Clinton area programs are helped through the United Way of Clinton County.
Mr. Green said he plans to meet with individuals and groups in an effort to spur more donations to United Way.
The United Way’s former longtime executive director, Cheryl McCulloh, retired last March after 30 years on the job. She died on Oct. 9.
Mr. Green said he respects the work Ms. McCulloh did for United Way and wants to continue her legacy with the organization.
“I hate it when people say ‘We need to take this job to the next level.’ I want to honor the job Cheryl did,” Mr. Green said.
Mr. Green’s parents, Ed and Jenny Green, live in Clinton. He has a sister and two nephews in Dubuque.
Donations can be sent to the United Way of Clinton County at 405 S. Third St., Ste. 200, Clinton, IA 52732 or online at www.clintonunitedway.org.
