Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta Austintown Fitch High School Special Education teacher Amanda Shrader speaks about the school’s Caring Closet program during the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley news conference Tuesday morning. The closet is supported by the United Way.

BOARDMAN — Despite economic hardships faced by many in the Mahoning Valley last year, area residents stepped up for the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley and helped set a donation record.

A news conference Tuesday morning at the Centofanti Volunteer Resource Center highlighted the institution’s 2025 campaign results and celebrated that more than $3.9 million was raised, which helped local residents of all ages during their time of need.

“The generosity of our community continues to inspire us,” said Bob Hannon, president and CEO of United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley in a news release. “Raising more than $3.9 million means more children prepared for kindergarten, more students supported after school, more families receiving food during times of crisis, and more individuals getting the services they need to build stable, successful lives. Every dollar is invested directly into programs that strengthen our community.”

United Way Vice President Roxann Sebest said the nonprofit “serves as the backbone organization who can bring together all the right partners to address the needs of our neighbors.”

“In the last two years alone, we have taken the lead on several emergencies within the community; first the Realty Tower explosion, then the government shutdown and lapse in SNAP benefits, and more recently with the Austintown studio apartment explosion. Our United Way continues to fund our nonprofit partners but also run several initiatives that benefit children and their families. Our generous donors play an integral part in us providing these services.”

Donations came from a wide variety of sources, including employees designating an amount taken out of their paychecks, local foundations, corporate gifts and fundraising events such as Champions Among Us, Locker 1 & 2 Golf Outing and the Holiday Basketball Classic.

Last year’s campaign cochairs Josh and Jami Toot helped mobilize businesses, donors and volunteers. Josh, who is also on the United Way board, is the market president for WesBanco Bank, while his wife, Jami, is a United Way volunteer and works as the human resource manager at Revere Medical.

At the news conference, Josh said he was filled with gratitude and pride at the generosity and commitment by those in the area.

“From the smallest contributions to the largest, every dollar counts and every act of giving matters. And on behalf of everyone whose life is touched by this funding, ‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.’ Your compassionate belief in our shared community is truly inspiring.

“I’ve seen firsthand what this support looks like. I’ve seen families find stable housing. Children who do not have access to quality after school programs and neighbors who receive critical health care during a health crisis and face financial hardship. These are real people, real stories.”

He continued, “That’s why supporting the United Way is so important. We don’t just provide short-term aid. We invest in long-term solutions. We partner with dozens of local nonprofits to address the root causes and challenges like poverty, education gaps and health experience. We come together through United Way, we create stronger, more resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

In her speech, Jami thanked the United Way, the donors and those who volunteer.

“Your work is tireless. You put all your heart into everything you do, and your expertise makes every success story possible. You’re the backbone of this organization and its mission. They’re housing families. They’re supporting children and they’re building hope.”

She added, “My husband and I were so grateful to share this work with all of you and, together, we were able to unite and improve the community to grow stronger. It’s been a really rewarding year for us to see all this hard work, and we’re excited to continue to be part of it.”

While the Toots’ cochair days are over and a new campaign chairman, or co-chairs, will be named in April, Josh reminded those in attendance that “Lives are being changed. Futures are being brightened and our communities are becoming a better place for all of us. Now, let’s carry this momentum forward and continue to show that when we unite, anything’s possible.”

The location of the news conference provided an example of the community coming together to enable helpful outcomes. Since the Centofanti Volunteer Resource Center opened in August of 2024, engagement expanded with volunteers contributing more than 6,000 hours in support of initiatives such as Care Closets and SaturDAY of Caring.

Austintown Fitch High School special education teacher Amanda Shrader spoke at the event about the school’s use of the Care Closet program, which meets students’ basic needs with food, clothing and hygiene products. The Care Closet, a program of United Way, expanded to 29 sites during the 2025-26 academic year.

“People just don’t realize how intense the need is,” Shrader said about the use of the Care Closet by schoolchildren. “I currently see anywhere from 25 to 85 students a day that come in to access supplies. And that’s just in our school. If we can measure that impact throughout the Mahoning Valley, it is really an incredible thing.

“There’s not a requirement for income verification or anything like that because we are not here to judge anybody’s situation. If a student needs something to eat, then we believe they should have access to something to eat. So, that’s been a really good model, and opened up access for a lot of students.”

“Sometimes, I think you can be frustrated in this work,” Hannon said. “Are you really making a difference? Are you moving things forward? But, when we see parents or (gesturing to Shrader) you mention the students, ‘Why does United Way care? They don’t know me.’ That makes it all worth it for us. You know that we’re making a difference.”