Chris and Emily Lane of Dover (left and center) are the chairs for the United Way of Tuscarawas County's 76th-annual fundraising campaign. Assisting as Vice Chair is Jennifer Jones (right).

New Philadelphia, Ohio - Chris and Emily Lane of Dover have been tapped to chair the United Way of Tuscarawas County's 2018 campaign.

Each fall, the United Way of Tuscarawas County takes on an ambitious fundraising campaign to funds to support local programs focusing on three core areas - health and wellness, strengthening families and children, and emergency preparedness and needs - and recruits community business leaders to assist in the effort through employee fundraising campaigns. 

This year's campaign kicks off this month and will support 20 local health and human service programs.

Chris Lane says creating a sustainable community depends on the success of organizations like the United Way. 

"Through volunteer leadership, financial support, and collaboration our partner agencies magnify individual support to touch more than 15,000 underserved residents of Tuscarawas County,” she says.

United Way Community Resources Coordinator Susan Reidenbach says it’s a pleasure to have the Lanes lead the organization’s annual campaign.  

“Chris and Emily are tremendous supporters of United Way as a donor and volunteers. Their high energy, strong leadership and passion to make their community a better place to live and work is invaluable for our campaign,” she says.

The Lane family has been operating restaurants in Tuscarawas County and surrounding areas since 2006. In 2015, Chris and Emily purchased the restaurants, successfully completing the transition from first to second generation ownership. The purchase came following the couple's return from Texas where Chris served seven years active duty Army and Emily taught in a local school district.

Both attended Hiram College in the late 90’s both receiving Bachelor of Arts Degrees in their chosen areas of study. Chris is a board member of the United Way of Tuscarawas County and chairs the Wendy’s Technology Advisory Council. Together they have four children Lucas 13, Elizabeth 11, Abigail 8, and Addison 4. 

For this year's campaign, the Lanes will be working alongside assistant campaign chair and life-long Tuscarawas County resident Jennifer Jones, who serves as the Vice President of Physician Services at Aultman Hospital. Jones is active throughout the Dover community and is a member of NewPointe Community Church.

Assisting the Lanes and Jones this year's campaign solicitors: Steve Coutts, First National Bank of Dennison; Sally O’Donnell, First Federal Community Bank; Michele Lieser McInturf Realty; Elaine Tedrow, The Commercial & Savings Bank; Darlene Finzer, Rea & Associates; Carol Haglock, Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union; Jeanne Stephen, Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts; Elizabeth Stephenson, Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, Agnes Swigart, Community Volunteer; Dr. Todd Meyerhoefer, Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital; Andrew Wright, Hanhart Insurance Agency; Paul McEwan, Rea & Associates; Kristin Zemis, Community Volunteer and Nichole Zesiger, First National Bank of Dennison.