United Way of Effingham County recently held the 2017 United Way Witches Ball. The event was held on October 6th at the Thelma Keller Convention Center. This witch themed event featured dinner, music and silent and live auction items and costume contest.

The Special Events Committee and the Board of Directors would like to thank the following individuals and businesses that helped make this year’s event a success:

Thelma Keller Convention Center, Schmid Auction Company, Effingham New Car Dealers Association, Rick and Diane Siemer- Siemer Milling Company, Ross and Sandra Richardson, Keller Family, Heartland Dental, Dr. Ryan and Sara Jennings, Firefly Grill, Roy Schmidt Honda, Jack and Betinha Schultz, Mel and Elaine Stock, Midland States Bank, Larry and Gwen O’Dell, ServPro, Dean and Colleen Bingham, Mark and Dawn Goeckner- Goeckner Brothers, Koerner Distributors, Inc.- Troy Greene, Mike Defend, Patterson Technology Center, Jansen’s Heating and Air, Night Moves, The Home Center, Domino’s Pizza, The Cookie Jar, Tuscan Hills Winery, Keller Convention Center, Chuck and Doris Keller, John Boos & Co., J & J Ventures Amusements, David and Marilyn Boone, Legado, LLC, Marty and Susan Watson, Maegan Bosler and Brad Roper, Linders Limited- McDonald’s, Wortman Printing, Higgs Welding, Walter’s Golf Management, Weis Insurance, Lake Sara Marina, Dieterich Bank, Al’s Tire Mart & Electronics Center, MBI Construction, Bahrns Equipment, Patrick and Ashley Kreke, Effingham Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Taylor Law Offices, Mattoon Golf and Country Club, Bales Unlimited, Steve and Dawn Hoover, Weber’s Jewelry, Lustig Custom Cabinets, Walt Disney World, Kera Cutz, Maxedon Landscaping, Pyramid Marble, Beck’s Hybrid, Agracel, Washington Savings Bank, Holiday Inn, Ryan’s Steakhouse, Martins IGA, RE/MAX Key Advantage, Ted and Lora Bergfeld, Barb Bovard, Mattoon Township Park District- Lytle Park, Stang Arts- Jamie Stang, Effingham Park District, Wright’s Furniture, Save-a-Lot, Jay and Ashley Buehnerkemper, Sear’s Hometown Store, WS Broom & Company, Effingham Asphalt, Stevens Industries, DEKALB/Asgrow- Dan Beckman, Jansen’s Auto Sales, Effingham Academy of Gym and Dance, Joe’s Pizza and Pasta, Waymo’s Photography, Curt and Peggy Valenti, Comfort Suites/ Hampton Inn, ServPro, Cromwell Radio, Compass Advisory Group, Cardinal Golf Course, D-J’s Party Supply, Linda Hemmen, Effingham Fire Department, Heidi Good, Effingham Country Club, Chad Green, Ron Zimmerman, The Carriage House Event Center, Effingham Tire & Auto, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Easton Corbin, Gregg Lohman, Donnewald Distributing Co., Rep. John Shimkus, Float Effingham, Tom and Connie Wegman, Party Worx, Sehy & Jones Optometrist, Holiday Inn, Niebrugge Furniture, Jan Von Bokel, Walk’s Auto Body, McMahon Meats, The Great Pumpkin Patch, Lisa’s Pastry Sensation, Blume & Baum- Libby Moeller, R & G Machine, Niemerg’s Steakhouse, TK Grill, Cracker Barrel, TGI Fridays, Chipotle, Telcom Solutions, Weber Brothers Appliances, Consolidated Communications, Bill and Lisa Hoelscher, Ron Mietzner, Mainly You Salon- Bridget Bohnhoff & Maria Ruholl, Steve and Shanta Will, HF Productions, Inc., Milano and Grunloh Engineers, Headquarters- Ron Willenborg, Hook Photography, JB Esker & Sons, Jumer’s Casino and Hotel, Maurice’s- Marilyn Woodruff, Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, Chicago Cubs, Heidanes Hidden Timbers, Healing Therapies- Nancy Liss, Headquarters- Lynn Kowalski, EJ Water Corporation, Silver Star Skate Center, Weber’s Clothing, Knight’s Action Park, Dittamore Implement Co., R & G Machine, Effingham Performance Center, Zales Jewelers, John and Ann Beckman, Premier Broadcasting, Inc., Effingham Daily News, Ten Brooke LeAnne, Dan Hecht Chevrolet- Toyota, Meadowview Country Club, Mainly You- Becky Hoene and Erica Swisher, Siemer Milling Company, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Par-a-Dice Hotel Casino, Campos Family Dental, Dairy Queen, Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Balda Dental, Gotcha by the Hair, Steak ‘n Shake, Hodgson Mill, Bladez Salon, Fresh Digs, Ad Hatters, NAPA Auto Parts, The Magic House, Travel Quarters, The Curl Bar, KT Boutique, Martin’s IGA, Meyer Oil – Mach 1, Save-a-Lot, Probst Auto Body, Midwest Office Supplies, Heartland Landscaping, Big Splash Adventures, South Central FS / Fast Stop, Ashley Swingler, Teutopolis State Bank, Stanfield Chiropractic, Effingham Public Library, Boy Scouts – Lincoln Trails Council, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Land of Lincoln Credit Union, Sloan Implements, Effingham Equity, Burkland’s Florist & Gifts, Southtown Car Wash, Culver’s Restaurant
Ameren, Boy Scouts- Lincoln Trail Council, Chuck and Doris Keller, Cromwell Radio, Effingham Daily News, Effingham Public Property Dept., Effingham Teutopolis News Report, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Kohl’s/ Kohl’s Cares, Pepsi, Premier Broadcasting, Inc., Teutopolis Village Employees.

Special thanks to the businesses that provided the feature sponsorships:
Thelma Keller Convention Center, Koerner Distributors, Inc., Agracel Inc., Patterson Technology Center, Lisa’s Pastry Sensations.

The United Way would also like to thank the following VIP Table Sponsors:
Heartland Dental, Midland States Bancorp, Inc., Siemer Milling Company, H & W Service Center, Legado, LLC, Patterson Technology Center, Midland States Bank, Stevens Industries, Agracel, Ameren, Consolidated Communications, Crossroads Bank, Dieterich Bank, Firefly Grill, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Keller Convention Center, Koerner Distributors, Inc., Ross & Sandra Richardson, Washington Savings Bank.

Proceeds from the United Way Gala go toward the 2017 campaign, which has a goal of $305,000. The United Way funds 25 local health and human service agencies in Effingham County. These partner agencies include: Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Blessings in a Backpack, Boy Scouts of America – Lincoln Trails Council, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of Effingham County, Catholic Charities, CEFS Literacy Program, CEFS Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Child Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois, Effingham Child Development Center, Effingham County FISH Human Services, Effingham County Search & Rescue, Effingham County Youth Commission, Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Greater Effingham Area, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, Heartland Human Services, Meals on Wheels of CEFS, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Effingham County, One Hope United, Oneighty, Senior Services of Effingham County, Sexual Assault and Family Emergencies (SAFE), Strategic Training & Restoration (STAR), Stop Woman Abuse Now (SWAN) and Unit 40 Mentoring Program.

If you would like to conduct an employee campaign or would like to make a donation to the 2017 campaign, please call (217) 342-3824 or visit www.effinghamunitedway.org .