Staff report

SALISBURY — John Struzick, manufacturing financial manager at Innospec Performance Chemicals, will serve as chairman of the 2018 Rowan County United Way campaign, overseeing the annual fundraising effort on behalf of the local human service agencies supported by the United Way.

A United Way supporter for many years before moving to Rowan County, Struzick previously did volunteer work for the United Way of Lowndes County in Valdosta, Georgia.

Those efforts in the 1990s earned him recognition and selection to the Olympic Torch Relay Team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

In Rowan County, Struzick has been an active supporter of the United Way since 2012. He is serving his second term on the Rowan County United Way Board of Directors and has served on numerous committees and in several leadership roles.

“I am honored to be the chair of this year’s campaign, because I believe the United Way, particularly here in Rowan County, serves the local community in ways that no other organization can,” Struzick said.

“I encourage all our businesses and individuals to be as generous as possible this year with your time, talent and treasure to provide support for the critically important agencies that rely on us.”

Bill Burgin, president of the United Way of Rowan County, said Struzick’s heart for service makes him an excellent choice to lead this year’s campaign.

“John lives a civic-minded life, always seeking to find ways to help our community reach its potential,” Burgin said. “We are lucky to have him lead our 2018 campaign.”

The United Way of Rowan County currently serves member agencies including Rowan County Literacy Council, The Arc/Rowan, Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Boy Scouts (Central NC Council), Communities in Schools of Rowan County, Rowan County YMCA, Rowan County Youth Services Bureau, American Red Cross, Rowan County Rescue Squad, The Salvation Army, Trinity Living Center, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Families First, Inc., Family Crisis Council and Smart Start Rowan.

In addition, United Way serves two “partner” agencies, Jobs for Life and Capstone Recovery Center.

For more information, visit www.rowanunitedway.org, and follow the United Way on Facebook.