New United Way director brings passion to the job
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Lori Bebermeyer, the new director of United Way of Marion County, knows the importance of caring for others.
Within a recent six-month period, she and her family underwent the loss of three extended family members, one of whom was in hospice care.
"Going through hard times makes you aware of how much we need each other," she said. "It makes you realize what a difference it makes to have people care about you."
Bebermeyer took over the director's position Aug. 5 and is in the process of setting up an office at Hillsboro State Bank.
She said when she heard about the position, she knew nothing about United Way except as a national organization. But she became interested when she learned it had a local connection.
"The more I thought about it, I thought, you know, this is something I could get into," she said. "They work right here in our own county to provide support. That makes it more personal and closer to home."
Bebermeyer has a degree in biology and psychology and a minor in sociology.
She said she likes to work with people and help them.
She has done respiratory therapy in a hospital, been a paraprofessional in special education, and served as a receptionist and greeter at a funeral home.
While her children were growing up, she operated a day-care for more than 15 years.
The past five years she has been a substitute teacher in the Hillsboro school district, something she thoroughly enjoyed.
United Way of Marion County is an affiliate of United Way of Harvey County. It operates "in the background" to help people through other agencies. It solicits monetary donations for distribution to local service providers.
In 2004, requests exceeded $93,000. A fraction of that was collected and distributed to serve people of all ages from pre-school to the elderly.
Marion County organizations which received funds were Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Communities in Schools, and Head Start.
Joyful Noise Preschool, Lucky Ducks Preschool, Main Street Ministries, senior centers, and the Sunflower Chapter of the American Red Cross also received funds.
The first few years of United Way of Marion County produced a limited amount of contributions, but Bebermeyer sees a huge potential for growth.
"I can get really excited about it," she said. "It has room to grow indefinitely. I love the feeling that it helps us at home."
This year's capital campaign will begin Saturday. Bebermeyer hopes to devote much of her time to connecting with businesses and individuals throughout the county to ask for their support.
She and members of the United Way of Marion County advisory council will give presentations to make people aware of United Way and the contribution it makes toward meeting local needs.
"It could be there for anyone of us," she said. "And you don't have to worry about where your money is going."
Business owners will be encouraged to allow voluntary employee payroll deductions for United Way. She said even a contribution as small as $5 a month would add up if many people did it.
"Even if you don't work in Marion County, you can designate your payroll deduction to go to Marion County," she said.
Bebermeyer's current salary is being paid through the county. She works on a part-time basis.
She hopes to see funds built up in coming years to make United Way of Marion County self-supporting and more effective.
"We just need to get the word out," she said.
Bebermeyer and her husband, Terry, have lived in Hillsboro for 16 years. He is a teacher and coach at Hillsboro High School.
The couple have four children: Adrien, 21, is a junior at Mid-America Nazarene University, Olathe. Emily, 18, is a HHS senior, Chelsea, 16, is a sophomore, and Ben, 12, is in seventh grade.
The family attends Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro.
Bebermeyer said she enjoys doing creative things and gardening, but her role as director of the local United Way is taking precedence right now.
A motto hanging in her office reflects her positive approach and enthusiastic outlook: "Nothing Is Impossible To A Willing Heart."
