LEAD United: United Way of Bartholomew County

LEAD United: United Way of Bartholomew County Our mission is to end homelessness in Bartholomew County. Welcome to LEAD United Way of Bartholomew County’s page. We are thrilled you are here!

LEAD United is a community-wide initiative led by United Way of Bartholomew County, working to prevent homelessness and make housing insecurity rare and non-recurring. Through collaboration and compassion, we work to ensure everyone has a safe, stable place to call home. We are dedicated to maintaining a page that educates and informs our community about LEAD United Way of Bartholomew County upcoming social service events and fundraisers.

A little hint of what’s coming… 🌈Any guesses? 👀
08/11/2026

A little hint of what’s coming… 🌈
Any guesses? 👀

The inaugural Riverfest featuring Ya Gotta Regatta exceeded every expectation, and it's all because of this incredible c...
08/03/2026

The inaugural Riverfest featuring Ya Gotta Regatta exceeded every expectation, and it's all because of this incredible community.

To our LEAD United team, thank you for the countless hours of planning, building, organizing, and problem-solving. Your passion and dedication brought this event to life.

To the United Way of Bartholomew County leadership and staff, thank you for believing in a crazy idea, supporting it every step of the way, and trusting us to help create what we hope becomes a new community tradition.

To our sponsors, especially Cummins Inc. as our Title Sponsor, thank you for investing in our community and making this event possible.

To our 26 boat teams, volunteers, donors, and everyone who came out to cheer from the shoreline, thank you. You helped transform a simple idea into an unforgettable day.

Together, we didn't just race cardboard boats—we raised more than $25,000 (with final numbers still being calculated) to support United Way's mission of improving lives across Bartholomew County.

The smiles, the laughter, the creativity, the friendly competition (and yes...the occasional sinking boat) made this inaugural event something truly special.

Here's to the first Ya Gotta Regatta...and hopefully the first of many.

See you on the water next year!

The inaugural Ya Gotta Regatta is officially underway, and the teams are ready to put their cardboard creations to the t...
07/31/2026

The inaugural Ya Gotta Regatta is officially underway, and the teams are ready to put their cardboard creations to the test! From creative designs to friendly competition (and maybe a few unexpected swims 😉), it's going to be an afternoon you won't want to miss.

Come on down to RiverFest at Mill Race Park and cheer on 26 community teams as they race across the North Pond for speed, style, and bragging rights!

While you're here, enjoy:
🌮 Food trucks
🎶 Live music
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly activities
🤝 Community organizations
🏆 People's Choice voting

Don't forget—you can still support your favorite team by voting for the People's Choice Award. Every $1 donated = 1 vote, and every donation supports United Way of Bartholomew County.

📍 Mill Race Park – North Pond
🕐 Racing begins at 1:00 PM

Grab your friends, bring the family, and come help us kick off what we hope becomes a new Bartholomew County tradition.

We'll see you at the pond! 🚣💙

07/25/2026

The summer's biggest splash is almost here!

Before the boats hit the water...

Vote for your favorite team in the People's Choice Award (every $1 = 1 vote!)

Then grab your friends and family and join us at Riverfest on Friday, July 31 to see all 26 cardboard boats race across the Mill Race North Pond!

Food • Music • Family Fun • Community Booths • Cardboard Boat Races

Scan the QR code to support your favorite team!

Today, we stepped into someone else's shoes. 💙United Way of Bartholomew County and LEAD United partnered with Cummins fo...
07/15/2026

Today, we stepped into someone else's shoes. 💙

United Way of Bartholomew County and LEAD United partnered with Cummins for a Poverty Simulation, an interactive experience that challenged participants to navigate the difficult decisions, unexpected barriers, and everyday realities faced by families living in poverty.

It's one thing to talk about the challenges our neighbors face. It's another to experience, even in a simulation, how quickly one setback can change everything.

Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and leaned into today's experience with empathy and an open mind. Awareness builds understanding. Understanding inspires action. 💙

How Do You Row?Some row for glory.Some row for bragging rights.Some row because...well...their boat is made of cardboard...
07/08/2026

How Do You Row?
Some row for glory.
Some row for bragging rights.
Some row because...well...their boat is made of cardboard.

Join us at Ya Gotta Regatta and cheer on your favorite team as they paddle for community bragging rights.

📅 Friday, July 31
📍 Mill Race Park – North Pond

So I'll ask again.....How do YOU row?

♠️ Thank You, Old National Bank! ♠️A heartfelt thank you to Old National Bank, our 2026 Chips for Change Full House Spon...
06/26/2026

♠️ Thank You, Old National Bank! ♠️

A heartfelt thank you to Old National Bank, our 2026 Chips for Change Full House Sponsor, for helping make this year's tournament such a meaningful success.

Thanks to the generosity of Old National Bank and all of our sponsors, players, volunteers, and supporters, Chips for Change 2026 raised more than $12,000 for the LEAD United Fund.

Those funds will provide critical, one-time assistance to individuals and families in Bartholomew County facing temporary financial hardship—helping cover expenses like rent, transportation, childcare, and housing deposits so they can remain safely housed and avoid the trauma of homelessness.

Old National Bank understands that strong communities are built on financial stability and opportunity. Their partnership with LEAD United reflects a shared commitment to helping local families weather life's unexpected challenges and continue moving forward with dignity and hope.

Thank you, Old National Bank, for investing in a stronger Bartholomew County and helping make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.

♠️ Thank You, WWA Planning! ♠️A sincere thank you to WWA Planning, one of our 2026 Chips for Change Full House Sponsor, ...
06/26/2026

♠️ Thank You, WWA Planning! ♠️

A sincere thank you to WWA Planning, one of our 2026 Chips for Change Full House Sponsor, for helping make this year's tournament a tremendous success.

Because of the generosity of WWA Planning and all of our sponsors, players, volunteers, and supporters, Chips for Change 2026 raised more than $12,000 for the LEAD United Fund.

Those dollars will provide rapid, one-time assistance to individuals and families in Bartholomew County facing temporary financial hardship—helping prevent eviction, maintain stable housing, and ensure that a short-term setback doesn't become a long-term crisis.

At its core, planning is about creating stronger communities and building for the future. WWA Planning demonstrates that same commitment through its investment in initiatives that help our neighbors remain safe, stable, and housed.

Thank you, WWA Planning, for partnering with LEAD United and United Way of Bartholomew County to help make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in our community.

CommunityImpact

♠️ Thank You, Cummins! ♠️A heartfelt thank you to Cummins, one of our 2026 Chips for Change Full House sponsors, for hel...
06/26/2026

♠️ Thank You, Cummins! ♠️

A heartfelt thank you to Cummins, one of our 2026 Chips for Change Full House sponsors, for helping make this year's tournament such an incredible success.

Thanks to the generosity of Cummins and all of our sponsors, players, and supporters, we raised more than $12,000 for the LEAD United Fund.

Those funds will provide critical, one-time assistance to families in Bartholomew County experiencing temporary financial hardship—helping them stay safely housed by covering needs like rent, transportation, childcare, and housing deposits before a crisis becomes homelessness.

Cummins has a long history of investing in the communities where its employees live and work. Their continued partnership with LEAD United reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our community and ensuring families have the support they need during life's unexpected challenges.

Thank you, Cummins, for helping make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Bartholomew County.

CommunityImpact

♣️ Thank You to Our 2026 "Three of a Kind" Sponsors! ♣️Because of your generosity, Chips for Change 2026 was more than j...
06/26/2026

♣️ Thank You to Our 2026 "Three of a Kind" Sponsors! ♣️

Because of your generosity, Chips for Change 2026 was more than just a great night of poker—it was an investment in keeping families safely housed in Bartholomew County.

Together, we raised more than $12,000 for the LEAD United Fund!

Those dollars will provide rapid, one-time assistance to individuals and families experiencing temporary financial hardship—helping cover critical needs like rent, transportation, childcare, and housing deposits before a crisis becomes homelessness. Every dollar raised brings us one step closer to our shared vision of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in our community.

A special thank you to our Three of a Kind Sponsors for helping make this event possible:
• Bespoke Events + Experiences
• Bored? Games!
• Columbus Rental Property, LLC
• Frank's Tree Care
• Riverside MFG
• Thrivent
• White River Clinic of Chiropractic

Your partnership and commitment to our community are making a lasting difference.

And we're just getting started...

📅 Save the Date!
What: 3rd Annual Chips for Change
When: Saturday, February 27
Where: Hotel Indigo Columbus Architectural Center
We can't wait to see you back at the tables as we continue changing lives—one hand at a time.

Address

Lindsey & 5th St
Columbus, IN
47201

Website

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