Jim Santy Recognized for 30 Years of Volunteer Service

Elkhorn, WI -  At the kickoff reception for the newly formed United Way of Walworth County, Jim Santy was recognized for his thirty years of volunteer service to the former United Way of Delavan-Darien. Santy began his United Way service by chairing the 1979 fund appeal in Delavan-Darien. The next year, he succeeded Jim Leonhart as board president and has continuously served the Delavan-Darien United Way as Board President, Treasurer, or Volunteer Executive Director.

Santy worked with John Grober, CPA, to incorporate United Way of Delavan-Darien as a separate nonprofit corporation in 1983. Previously, United Way had been a commission of the City of Delavan with board members appointed by city government officials. Throughout his volunteer service, Santy chaired three fund appeals and saw the United Way appeal grow from $36,000 in 1978 to over $200,000 in recent years. 

At the reception, Santy expressed gratitude to the many people who served United Way as board members or fund drive volunteers. He singled out the Pentair Corporation (formerly Sta-Rite Industries) for their wonderful corporate and employee support of United Way. Finally, he thanked the agencies that serve the residents of Delavan-Darien and Walworth County for their services. He observed that United Way helps thousands of residents each year with services for families in need, our youth, the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

Santy's retirement from United Way was forced by a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in October, 2008. His pending retirement also prompted United Way of Delavan-Darien and the Geneva Lakes United Way to begin merger talks which resulted in the creation of United Way of Walworth County, Inc. The primary goal of the new Walworth County United Way organization is to solicit funds in areas of Walworth County that have not previously been served by a United Way and increase funding for nonprofit agencies that serve the residents of Walworth County. In the fall, a combined United Way fund appeal will take place in Elkhorn, East Troy and Sharon as well as Delavan-Darien and the Geneva Lakes area. It is hoped that the Village of Walworth will also join their community chest organization with the county United Way.

For more information about the United Way of Walworth County or for volunteer opportunities, contact Vicki Jacobs, Executive Director of United Way of Walworth County at 262 374-4474.