At United Way of Central Illinois, our Employee Campaign Coordinators (ECC) play a vital role in driving the success of workplace campaigns.
This month, we’re excited to feature Audra Steele, Foodservice Buyer, and Rayna Dambacher, Director of Marketing, both dedicated ECCs from MJ Kellner Foodservice. Audra and Rayna bring creativity, enthusiasm, and a passion for their community to everything they do—and their commitment to United Way has only grown over the years.
With six years as an Employee Campaign Coordinator under her belt, Audra brings a unique personal connection to her role. Growing up, Audra watched her mom serve as an ECC, helping to plan events and engaging their workplace to support United Way. Today, Audra continues the family tradition by involving her own daughters in United Way activities, inspiring a love for community service from a young age.
Rayna joined Audra as an ECC five years ago, and together, they’ve been creating engaging events that boost morale and foster team spirit within MJ Kellner. Their campaigns are known for their creativity and inclusive themes, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to join in and contribute. For Audra and Rayna, it’s all about finding new ways to make giving back fun while connecting coworkers to United Way’s mission. They’ve seen firsthand how an energized workplace campaign can strengthen relationships within their company, while also making a meaningful difference in the community.
When asked about what makes a successful campaign, Audra and Rayna emphasize the power of collective purpose and regular updates to inspire continued support. They often invite passionate advocates from United Way to speak at their workplace and share personal stories, reinforcing the impact that donations make in people’s lives. Their advice to those considering becoming an ECC? “Give it a try! United Way offers fantastic support with ideas, and the exciting part is choosing your own themes. Think outside the box and ask for ideas and suggestions.”
For Audra and Rayna, choosing to support United Way is rooted in their shared value of local impact. They love volunteering and seeing firsthand how United Way’s work transforms lives across Central Illinois. We’re grateful to have these inspiring leaders as part of our ECC team—thank you, Audra and Rayna, for your dedication and for setting a wonderful example for us all!