Hardesty new United Way campaign chair

United Way of VW County information

United Way of Van Wert County Executive Director Vicki Smith announced that Jessica Hardesty has been named the 2015 campaign chair.

“I am really excited to work with Jessi this year,” Smith said. “She has so much compassion for our agencies and it shows in her drive to make this the best campaign ever.

“This year will be my first campaign as executive director and having Jessi as the leader makes my job easier,” Smith added.

Hardesty has been a member of the United Way Board of Trustees for the past four years, starting as a village representative on the board and then moving to the Executive Committee in 2011. Last year, she chaired the Day of Caring event, which saw 177 units of blood donated at the American Red Cross Blood Drive and over 33,000 food items donated to the Salvation Army Food Drive.

As this year’s campaign chair, she will oversee fundraising efforts by visiting businesses and organizations to explain how support of the United Way of Van Wert County impacts the community.

“The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Open Your Heart to a New Perspective’, and I am excited to announce that Van Wert County Hospital will kick off the campaign as the 2015 campaign pacesetter,” Hardesty said. “Van Wert County Hospital is eager to participate and we are excited to be working with them.

“I am proud to be involved with the United Way because of the impact it has on the citizens of Van Wert County,” the new campaign chair added. “The United Way of Van Wert County is a valuable part of ensuring our community members receive the help that they need. I look forward to leading the 2015 campaign and I am excited for the challenges that lie ahead.”

Hardesty has worked in the loan operations department at First Federal Savings & Loan of Van Wert since 2013. She and her husband, Craig, have two children, Aiden and Cooper.