LIVE UNITED nited ay Philanthropic AREC Behind the Best 2025 Best of the Fox Winners ounty $15,300.00 00 Glass Too rary Your Follett Content Family 7550 DOLLARS The Medicel uwmchenry.org TW Medic TV Medical S Follett Content donates towards free books for kids in McHenry County UNITED WAY OF GREATER MCHENRY COUNTY ince 1966 the United Way of Greater McHenry County has brought people and resources together. The organization mobilizes the caring power of community so that all can thrive. "If you live or work in McHenry County, it is highly likely that you or someone you know has utilized at least one of the services that we provide grants in support of, or that we ourselves bring to the community," explained Jamie Maravich, President & CEO of United Way of Greater McHenry County. "Everyone benefits from having these resources locally available for when they are needed." Entirely locally focused, the organization has broad reach and makes a powerful impact. Most well-known for the substantial grant support it provides to partner non-profit programs, the organization also serves as a key connector, matching donated products, information, and volunteers to the people and projects that need them the most. The organization provides its own programs to the community too including 2-1-1, a free and confidential resource hotline as well as Ride United food pantry deliveries. In 2024, the organization took on the responsibility of funding and overseeing Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL) for McHenry County. The program is an opportunity for every child in McHenry County from birth to five years old to receive a free book in the mail every month from the DPIL fulfillment center in Tennessee. United Way of Greater McHenry County pays DPIL for the books and maintains the local database. In only its second year of the program more than 4,000 McHenry County children are enrolled, Maravich said. United Way's support for its own programs and the grants it provides are made possible by its generous donors. "Our grant allocations are driven by the current needs of the community as assessed by caring individuals who live and work in McHenry County," Maravich said. United Way of Greater McHenry County can receive donations from a variety of sources, including one-time individual donations, recurring donations, stock donations, required minimum distributions, bequests, corporate donations, corporate sponsorships, grants and most notably, through employee giving campaigns. "We are fortunate to be in a community where many employers know how important it is to give back and they recognize how important it is to their employees to work for a company that contributes," Maravich said. The United Way works with businesses to enable employees to contribute directly from their paychecks, lowering their taxable income and providing a comfortable way to give in smaller amounts that add up to larger contributions over time. Often the companies will offer matching corporate donations in support of their employee's philanthropic desires. "We're able to bring in dollars in smaller regular increments that together make a very large impact," Maravich said. Even smaller businesses and individuals can make contributions with a pledge program, such The ITW team kicking off their annual employee giving campaign as a realtor who dedicates a percentage of a commission to the United Way. "Our grants and programs provide a hand-up to neighbors in a wide variety of circumstances. Examples include childcare grants to help parents with low incomes and day programming for seniors to help enhance vitality and provide caregivers with greater peace of mind." Maravich said As an agency that works with so many community resources, the United Way of Greater McHenry County offers 2-1-1, a free and confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, providing a specialist that can connect the caller with the resources they need to navigate a health or human services challenge. The helpline, which one can call or text, is available to everyone, of all demographics and socio-economic tiers. "We are a key connector, a key resource," she said. Additionally, Maravich said the agency recently updated its 2-1-1 call center provider so that in the event of a large-scale disaster, such as a large fire or flooding, it can serve as a real-time information provider, preventing backlogs and enabling first responders to fully focus upon individuals and situations in need of emergency assistance. Earning the Best of the Fox recognition is a moment of gratitude for Maravich and her small staff that works to meet the needs of the community. "It means so much to us and it is so humbling," she said. "We are beyond grateful. Thank you, McHenry County." LIVE UNITED nited ay Philanthropic AREC Behind the Best 2025 Best of the Fox Winners ounty $ 15,300.00 00 Glass Too rary Your Follett Content Family 7550 DOLLARS The Medicel uwmchenry.org TW Medic TV Medical S Follett Content donates towards free books for kids in McHenry County UNITED WAY OF GREATER MCHENRY COUNTY ince 1966 the United Way of Greater McHenry County has brought people and resources together . The organization mobilizes the caring power of community so that all can thrive . " If you live or work in McHenry County , it is highly likely that you or someone you know has utilized at least one of the services that we provide grants in support of , or that we ourselves bring to the community , " explained Jamie Maravich , President & CEO of United Way of Greater McHenry County . " Everyone benefits from having these resources locally available for when they are needed . " Entirely locally focused , the organization has broad reach and makes a powerful impact . Most well - known for the substantial grant support it provides to partner non - profit programs , the organization also serves as a key connector , matching donated products , information , and volunteers to the people and projects that need them the most . The organization provides its own programs to the community too including 2-1-1 , a free and confidential resource hotline as well as Ride United food pantry deliveries . In 2024 , the organization took on the responsibility of funding and overseeing Dolly Parton's Imagination Library ( DPIL ) for McHenry County . The program is an opportunity for every child in McHenry County from birth to five years old to receive a free book in the mail every month from the DPIL fulfillment center in Tennessee . United Way of Greater McHenry County pays DPIL for the books and maintains the local database . In only its second year of the program more than 4,000 McHenry County children are enrolled , Maravich said . United Way's support for its own programs and the grants it provides are made possible by its generous donors . " Our grant allocations are driven by the current needs of the community as assessed by caring individuals who live and work in McHenry County , " Maravich said . United Way of Greater McHenry County can receive donations from a variety of sources , including one - time individual donations , recurring donations , stock donations , required minimum distributions , bequests , corporate donations , corporate sponsorships , grants and most notably , through employee giving campaigns . " We are fortunate to be in a community where many employers know how important it is to give back and they recognize how important it is to their employees to work for a company that contributes , " Maravich said . The United Way works with businesses to enable employees to contribute directly from their paychecks , lowering their taxable income and providing a comfortable way to give in smaller amounts that add up to larger contributions over time . Often the companies will offer matching corporate donations in support of their employee's philanthropic desires . " We're able to bring in dollars in smaller regular increments that together make a very large impact , " Maravich said . Even smaller businesses and individuals can make contributions with a pledge program , such The ITW team kicking off their annual employee giving campaign as a realtor who dedicates a percentage of a commission to the United Way . " Our grants and programs provide a hand - up to neighbors in a wide variety of circumstances . Examples include childcare grants to help parents with low incomes and day programming for seniors to help enhance vitality and provide caregivers with greater peace of mind . " Maravich said As an agency that works with so many community resources , the United Way of Greater McHenry County offers 2-1-1 , a free and confidential helpline available 24 hours a day , providing a specialist that can connect the caller with the resources they need to navigate a health or human services challenge . The helpline , which one can call or text , is available to everyone , of all demographics and socio - economic tiers . " We are a key connector , a key resource , " she said . Additionally , Maravich said the agency recently updated its 2-1-1 call center provider so that in the event of a large - scale disaster , such as a large fire or flooding , it can serve as a real - time information provider , preventing backlogs and enabling first responders to fully focus upon individuals and situations in need of emergency assistance . Earning the Best of the Fox recognition is a moment of gratitude for Maravich and her small staff that works to meet the needs of the community . " It means so much to us and it is so humbling , " she said . " We are beyond grateful . Thank you , McHenry County . "