New United Way director named

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PRINCETON — Michelle Lymberopoulos of Princeton has been named the new director of Bureau County United Way.

Lymberopoulos replaces Jean Babcock, who resigned on June 25 to take a position at St. Bede Academy in its development office. Babcock had served as Bureau County United Way director for the past 10 years. Her final day at the office was Tuesday.

On Friday, Lymberopoulos said she feels ready to step up and continue the work of the United Way in Bureau County. She begins as director on July 28.

“Jean Babcock has done an excellent job,” Lymberopoulos said. “My goal is to step in and strive to continue the fine job that Jean has done for 10 years.”

Lymberopoulos said she hopes to add to the United Way’s volunteer base and looks forward to working with Bureau County agencies that the United Way helps to support.

She said she is excited to begin working as director of Bureau County United Way because of the work the organization does to help people in local communities.

“I enjoy helping people and United Way is a wonderful organization,” she said. “I look forward to working with the community and I feel that my experience will benefit the organization.”

United Way board of directors president Sue Spratt said while the board members are sad to see Babcock leave after 10 years as director, they are excited to welcome Lymberopoulos to Bureau County United Way.

“We are sorry to lose Jean after 10 years,” Spratt said Friday. “She has been an inspiration and, basically, the foundation of Bureau County United Way. We are also anxious to have Michelle come on board. She will be a nice addition to Bureau County United Way.”

Spratt said that Lymberopoulos’ financial background, community contacts and fundraising experience will aid her as she works with local agencies and local business people that partner with the United Way.

“She has extensive experience with financial management for the proper detailing of donations and the distribution of allocations to the agencies,” Spratt said. “We felt she would be able to market to the larger community, contact people and increase our volunteer base, and set up functions to help the Bureau County United Way meet its annual fundraising goals.”

Spratt said the board is looking forward to working with Lymberopoulos.

Lymberopoulos previously worked at Citizens First State Bank in Walnut, the business office of Perry Memorial Hospital, as a bookkeeper at ING Financial Partners, and most recently, Combined Cleaning in Princeton.

Lymberopoulos was born in Princeton and grew up in Walnut, graduating from Walnut High School. She moved to Princeton in 1985 and has been a life-long Bureau County resident. She volunteers on the Princeton Youth Soccer League board, as well as serving as a coach and referee for the soccer league. She has also volunteered with local Boy Scout functions and in local schools.

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