(Griffith, Indiana)  - Two business leaders and community volunteers will spearhead Lake Area United Way’s 2012-13 annual community campaign.

Aaron McDermott, CCIM, President of Latitude Commercial Real Estate, and John Kennedy, Director of Business Development with American Structurepoint, Inc., will serve as LAUW’s campaign chair and co-chair respectively.  Local officials said they represent the growing participation and financial support given by young emerging leaders.  Both are members of LAUW’s Board of Trustees.

“We’re excited that these two outstanding young men will lead this year’s campaign,” said Kay Nelson, Chair of LAUW’s Board of Trustees and Director of Environmental Affairs with Northwest Indiana Forum.  “They know it takes an entire community to make a difference and will work tirelessly on our behalf.”
 

LAUW’s annual campaign encourages area companies and organizations, their employees and community members to help impact the quality of life for all by supporting United Way’s work to improve the education, financial stability and health conditions in the community – the building blocks, it says, everyone needs to live a successful, productive life.

McDermott is President of Latitude Commercial, a full service commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in Northwest Indiana and the South Chicago suburbs.  He earned his CCIM designation in only his second year in the commercial real estate industry.

He went to Gavit High School in Hammond and graduated from Indiana University Bloomington.  McDermott serves on the Board of Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for the City of Crown Point where he resides.

“I’m honored to accept the role as Lake Area United Way’s Campaign Chair.  United Way has such an incredible impact throughout our community.  I’m proud to be a part of that.  We have a tough road ahead.  People are hurting.  Now more than ever it’s critical that we reach out to every citizen to join us,” said McDermott.  “It’s about building a community where we all want to live, work and raise kids.”

“The biggest key to our success is YOU!  This year we are asking you to remember the children we help educate, the families we help feed, and countless other ways your gift to United Way provides to our community and the nearly 170,000 people helped last year alone,” he added.  “This year more than ever we need your support.  When asked, please give.”

John Kennedy is a graduate of Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond and Fairfield University.  A resident of St. John, he and his wife Rose have two children Kaitlyn, age 11, and Kyle, age 8.  Kennedy is a member of the Indiana Economic Development Association (IDEA) and board member of the Northwest Indiana Friendly Sons of Erin.

“I am looking forward to a successful campaign that will support the mission and partner agencies of the Lake Area United Way.  I know that we will succeed due to the generosity of our current supporters and to those new contributors that want to be part of this vital organization,” said Kennedy.

Lake Area United Way’s 2011-12 campaign raised $4,838,555, surpassing its $4,750,000 goal by $88,555.  Non-restricted contributions given in LAUW’s campaign will be invested into critical health and human service programs through 31 local member agencies and initiatives advancing education, income or financial stability, and health conditions in the Lake Area.         

The 2012-13 United Way campaign officially kicks off at The Big Schmooze on September 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Avalon Manor in Merrillville.  For tickets, go to:  http://thebigschmooze.com/. 

For more information on the Lake Area United Way, please visit www.lauw.org.