UNITED FOR A CAUSE
United Way honors Rasmussen, Depué
Posted: Thursday, March 17, 2016 10:21 pm | Updated: 9:34 pm, Fri Mar 18, 2016.
Posted on Mar 17, 2016 by Robert Pore
Last year was a good year for the Heartland United Way and its 16 member agencies that serve Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick counties. Between its fall campaign and the Go Big Give fundraiser, Heartland United Way raised $1,941,710.
The many volunteers who helped make last year’s fundraising campaign so successful were recognized Thursday at the Heartland United Way’s 69th annual meeting, with two receiving awards. Densel Rasmussen was presented the Be the One Award and Ron Depué was given the Live United Award.
The Be the One Award is presented annually to an exemplary person, group or business who generously shares time, talent and treasures with the community.
Karen Rathke, president of the Heartland United Way, said Rasmussen’s influence has been instrumental in the United Way’s success during his 26 years at Principal Financial Group.
Under his leadership, Principal has “generously loaned an executive to help with the United Way campaign, and when the State Fair needed a volunteer coordinator, Densel again answered the call,” Rathke said.
Rathke said Rasmussen leads by example and that his time, insight, advice and supporting words have meant so much to many people.
“When I was new, you took the time to guide and support me in my new role and I know that you have done that for many, many nonprofit leaders in our community,” she said. “You have been the go-to person, or as recognized today, to Be the One for so many people, organizations and community efforts. Our community is a better place to live because of all the great things you have made happen.”
She said that many organizations have been blessed by his leadership and his ability to successfully raise money. He also:
• Chaired the 1999 United Way campaign and received the United Way’s President’s Award in 2000.
• Co-chaired the Grand Island Little Theatre’s Raising the Curtain capital campaign.
• Served on the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce Board and was chosen to receive the Richard H. Good Distinguished Service Award in 2007.
• Was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Stuhr Museum Operating Board and served as chairman of the Stuhr Museum Foundation Board, the Grand Island Community Foundation Board and Hall County Leadership Unlimited.
• Was one of the volunteers to “Dance with the Stars” for a GRACE Foundation fundraiser, was active in the CAN DO Committee for the Nebraska State Fair and was named The Grand Island Independent’s Man of the Year in 2007.
“This was very, very nice,” Rasmussen said about receiving the honor. “But it’s not just about one person. It is about the entire community. It is about all of us working together.”
He said it would not have been possible for him to be considered for the award if it were not for Principal Financial Group and the leaders there who “believed in the importance of our community.”
The Live United Award is presented each year to an extraordinary person who has gone above and beyond for the United Way and its partner agencies.
This year’s recipient, Ron Depué, joined the United Way board in 2010.
“He has a very generous, compassionate heart and is willing to do whatever, whenever help is needed,” said Cammie Benson, United Way staff member.
Known as a natural leader and good negotiator, Depué was instrumental in securing the current location for Heartland United Way and negotiating its lease, Benson said.
“Ron is always eager to volunteer at the ice cream parlor and to do whatever is needed, even after the first night he closed the ice cream parlor,” said Bonnie Westfall, United Way staff member, about the United Way fundraiser at the State Fair.
“As the story goes, the volunteer’s cash drawer was off by several hundred dollars, which had Ron totally flustered X– So much so that he went back to the ice cream parlor in the wee hours of the morning to double check his math and left still frustrated with no answers. The ‘missing’ cash was discovered the next day under the cash drawer.”
Depué has also supported United Way events such as Dine United, Moo-Claw, Golf and Imagination Bacon, often buying several tickets to then give away to others.
He also has served on the committee to distribute UW funds for six years and has been instrumental in the changes to strengthen the process.
Stephanie Kissler, a United Way staff member, noted that he has challenged the staff to “re-think and re-tool traditional ways of doing things.”
Rathke said that Depué has “truly been a champion for the United Way.”
“You have given tirelessly and so generously of your time for everything the UW has thought about, planned and implemented,” she said. “You have been a great leader, mentor, sounding board, volunteer, donor, cheerleader and one that we value the most — a great friend to all of us.”
Depué said the six years he has spent with the Heartland United Way has been a “wonderful journey doing my part to improve lives and create possibilities.”
Heartland United Way award recipients
— Traveling trophy — JBS (30 or more employees participating and greatest increase in participation)
— Imagining Brighter Future Award — Family Eye Care Center
— New Platinum Pacesetters:
Bosselman Companies
Nebraska Truck Center
— New Gold Pacesetter
Great Western Bank
— Loaned Executive from Principal Financial Group — Kara Thompson
2016 officers
— Board chairman, Todd Price.
— 1st vice Chairman, Kelly Henry
— 2nd vice chairman, Mark Moravec
— Treasurer and code of ethics officer, Wade Jarvi
Elected board members — Mary Berlie, Mark Gloor, Janye Mann, Jenny Pokorney and Jodi Rauert
Retiring board members — Alison Larson, Jodi Davies, Joseph McDermott and Tammy Zigler