Victoria Yepsen hired as new Bureau County United Way executive director

PRINCETON — Bureau County United Way has a new executive director leading its mission.

Victoria Yepsen was hired this fall to carry on the organization that supports 13 local agencies throughout the year.

Yepsen was born and raised in Princeton. After living in Chicago the past seven years, she and her husband, Brent, have moved back to the place they’ve called home all along.

“I feel so honored to be able to carry out the job as director for the Bureau County United Way,” Yepsen said. “I feel connected to my community and care about its needs … to come home with my husband and do some good in a community that made us who we are has been amazing.”

Yepsen has spent the last several weeks diving into the work of the BCUW. She has kicked off the 2021 mail campaign and in-house campaign for local businesses, industry and schools and has already begun raising money for this year’s $105,000 campaign goal.

Yepsen is focusing on increasing media fundraising, which most likely is key during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

She’s started a Text to Give Program, where donors can text GIVEBUREAUCOUNTY to 443-21. With this program, people can follow the BCUW Facebook page for weekly updates and take part in giveaways.

T-shirts are being sold to help raise money for the cause. Shirts can be purchased at Sullivan’s Foods, Little Blue Dress and on the BCUW Facebook page.

New this year is a campaign video, which has been launched on the BCUW’s Facebook page. The video was produced by Brent Jamison of Walnut.

“Our goal in creating a campaign video was to spread awareness about where your donation dollars go, who do they impact and why they are so important,” Yepsen said. “If you haven’t seen this video yet, it will give you all the feels.”

Yepsen said one of her major goals in her new role is to education people about what BCUW does for the community.

“The Bureau County United Way is so personal. We work hard each year to raise money to be able to fund our agencies because they provide service to so many people in need in our community,” she said. “The work of the organizations that we help fund is inspiring. My hope is that people will feel inspired and give.”

A chance to give on Dec. 1 during Giving Tuesday

Yepsen is spreading the word about Giving Tuesday, an opportunity where people can make a donation to the BCUW and be a part of a global day of generosity.

“At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people together to make a positive change. We can make a change together,” she said. “Giving Tuesday allows for the opportunity to stand in unity and use generosity to connect and heal our community when it needs it the most.”

By making a donation to the BCUW, know that your donation stays local. The monies raised are spread between 13 local agencies including, Braveheart Children’s Advocacy, Bureau County American Red Cross, Bureau County Food Pantry, Bureau County Senior Center, Center for Youth and Family Solutions, Freedom House, Gateway Services, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, Prairie State Legal Services, Boy Scouts, W.D. Boyce Council, Second Story Teen Center, Youth Service Bureau and University of Illinois Extension, Bureau County.

On Giving Tuesday, you’ll be able to find Yepsen at the Cocoa Cottage next to the Prouty Building in Princeton starting at 9 a.m. until $2,000 is raised.

How to give on Giving Tuesday

There are three ways one can make a donation to Bureau County United Way on Dec. 1.

• Text GIVEBUREAUCOUNTY to 443-21.

• Make a safe and socially distance visit to the Cocoa Cottage next to the Prouty Building in Princeton to make a cash/check donation to Yepsen. Take an #unselfie for the BCUW Facebook story.

• On PayPal using this link: https://www.paypal.com/donatehosted_button_id=VKDGL975XDYN2.