Volunteer of the Year

Each year, Volunteers United chooses a Volunteer of the Year who shows tremendous volunteerism supporting United Way of Hancock County and the community.

The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated dedication and willingness to serve the community through their overall involvement with United Way as a volunteer and leader, as well as with other organizations in the nonprofit sector. 

The Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award has been presented since 1981 and was renamed in 2012 in memory of Jeri Bjorling.

Bjorling was serving as chair of the United Way of Hancock County’s Board of Directors when she died. She was a remarkable volunteer, leaving an unforgettable impact throughout the community through her involvement both with the United Way and a wide range of service organizations. She was a Difference Maker in the truest sense, and this is why we chose to name this award in her honor.

The Volunteer of the Year is typically awarded during our Annual Meeting in March. The individual’s name and photo are added to a plaque that hangs in our office year-round.

United Way names Volunteer of the Year

FINDLAY, Ohio (March 23, 2026) — United Way of Hancock County is honored to recognize Chett Wohlgamuth as its 2025 Jeri Bjorling Distinguished Volunteer of the Year for his hands-on, outside-the-box approach to serving our community.

The award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated dedication and willingness to serve the community through their overall involvement with United Way as a volunteer and leader, as well as with other organizations in the nonprofit sector. Wohlgamuth will be honored for his service at United Way of Hancock County’s Annual Meeting on March 26.

Wohlgamuth joined United Way of Hancock County’s Board of Directors in 2022 and its Events Committee in 2023. He was instrumental in planning and executing United Way’s Barrels & Bids fundraiser — a masquerade-themed bourbon event that debuted in fall 2025. He also serves as an Impact Team member, meaning that he helps review local grant submissions to receive United Way funding; and he regularly volunteers with his workplace through Days of Caring, United Way’s twice-annual communitywide service event.

A Findlay native, Wohlgamuth serves as the Quality Lead for dishwashers made right here in his hometown at Whirlpool Corp. He said he finds joy in serving his community and leaving a lasting impact while introducing others to volunteerism.

“Being born and raised in Findlay and continuing to live here means so much to me because this community is as strong as we make it together,” Wohlgamuth said. “The community is full of so many people that are willing to help out — some just need support to get the ball rolling.”

United Way of Hancock County CEO Kelley McClurkin said Wohlgamuth is a vocal advocate for the organization and is a driving force behind Whirlpool’s workplace giving. She noted that Whirlpool reached its highest Findlay Operations campaign on record in 2025, thanks in large part to Wohlgamuth’s frequent offering of internal range, dishwasher and small appliance sales to supplement Whirlpool’s workplace giving.

“Chett’s dedication to the United Way cannot be overstated,” McClurkin said. “In addition to his board service, Chett continually comes up with new ideas. He has also been able to navigate workplace campaigns becoming more challenging by coming up with creative ways for employees to contribute.

“Chett is the true definition of a Difference Maker and we could not be more honored to name him our Volunteer of the Year.”

“I am very honored by the recognition, but I always feel like it's the team that makes the difference,” Wohlgamuth said. “Here at Whirlpool I have such an awesome team helping behind the scenes. Lisa Huston and Celia Langstaff are invaluable to me; their contributions enable me to push Whirlpool's programs to the community and find ways to be a ‘Difference Maker’. It's always a team effort, not just one person.”

Wohlgamuth also enjoys a hands-on, team-building approach to volunteerism through the United Way’s Days of Caring and home builds through Habitat for Humanity. Each offers a unique way to connect with his teammates from Whirlpool while making a difference in the community.

He encourages everyone to get involved at the level that suits their interests and availability.

“Just get out there and do something. As small as it is, it matters,” Wohlgamuth said. “Take your friends and make it fun. Every hour volunteers spend is so meaningful to an organization that never has enough resources to do its core activities. Simply, just get involved.”

Wohlgamuth and his wife, Kelly, have a daughter, Chloe, and three dogs. He is a graduate of Ohio Northern University, where he majored in mechanical engineering and played basketball.

The Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award has been presented since 1981 and was renamed in 2012 in memory of Jeri Bjorling.

Bjorling was serving as chair of the United Way of Hancock County’s Board of Directors when she died. She was a remarkable volunteer, leaving an unforgettable impact throughout the community through her involvement both with the United Way and a wide range of service organizations.