By STEPH WOODWARDS
Campaign Coordinator, United Way Of Kosciusko County

WARSAW — United Way of Kosciusko County today announced that Executive Director Patricia Coy will be retiring effective December 31. The United Way Board of Directors will be assembling a search committee this summer to look for her replacement. 

Coy’s decision to retire will bring to a close a remarkable career of nearly 25 years of continuous service to United Way. Coy began her career as a volunteer with United Way of Noble County, and was eventually recruited to lead the organization. In 2002, she moved to Warsaw to take over as the Executive Director for United Way of Kosciusko County, where she has grown the organization to become one of the leading non-profit organizations in Kosciusko County.

“Pat has been a cornerstone with United Way for our community,” said Josh Gordon, board president for United Way of Kosciusko County. According to Gordon, “Under Pat’s leadership, the campaign has seen significant growth. Since 2002, she has helped raise over $25 million for our community. But raising money was not the only thing that made her legacy in our community. Pat worked with not-for-profits in our community to create or improve programs that made a lasting change for the individuals they serve. She understands the importance of giving every child a chance to succeed in school, encouraging healthy choices for individuals in our community, and that it is far better to teach a person to fish, than to hand out fish. Pat has left a wonderful imprint on this community, we are all grateful for what she has given to us.”

During her tenure as Executive Director, Coy implemented the current Vision Council funding process, initiated Day of Caring, and was the first Director to raise over $2 Million in a single campaign year. Coy also worked with other organizations and community leaders to establish several well-known United Way initiatives throughout her career, including 2-1-1, Kids Smile Kosciusko, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Volunteer Kosciusko, and Client Track. Most recently, Coy helped establish Kindergarten Countdown camps for children entering school with no previous educational experience. In addition, she worked with a team from the probation department to help establish the new Drug Court program. Coy was also instrumental in bringing Serenity House, a substance abuse recovery home, to Kosciusko County nearly a decade ago. 

Coy decided to step down as the Executive Director for United Way because “2015 was a difficult year for me personally. My mother’s declining health and the loss of my sister led me to the decision that I needed to look for a job that would be less demanding. I also felt that after 15 years, it was time for someone new to lead this organization.” Coy believes this “is and will continue to be a GREAT United Way.” As for her time with the organization, Coy says “I enjoyed it; still believe in it; and loved every minute of it.”