DEBBIE CRUM

Debbie has been the Director of Outreach with Butler County Tourism for the past eight years. She handles the memberships for over 450 members. Her role is to grow membership and support the businesses in the region, which involves a lot of networking and communication. She is married with three grown children and two grandchildren.

When you think of a “people person,” you don’t have to look much further than Debbie. Her love of people started at a young age. Debbie sold Avon door-to-door when she was fourteen. She loved sharing the books and products, and getting to know the women in her neighborhood. Her outgoing nature brought her to her Butler County Tourism job. “If you put me in a room of people that I don’t know, I’m in heaven,” says Debbie. “There’s a whole new group of people to meet. And more people to connect with one another. When I see people that have gotten together because of an introduction that I’ve made there is  nothing greater.”

That is why United Way’s Women’s Leadership Committee is a perfect fit. “I’ve enjoyed helping Sherrie Dunlap of United Way. I introduce new people to the group. I even keep United Way 2-1-1 cards in my car to help make connections for the people that need them most,” says Debbie. “These programs are so important because most often they are preventative. The resources can prevent someone from ending up in an even more difficult position.”

Debbie loves the value she receives from United Way. “It’s not just donating money. You can donate your time. You can help spread the word. I think meeting other women, of all ages, that care about the community is just a big deal. It is empowering to see the difference we can make, the ideas that we come up with and the friendships that have been formed,” says Debbie.

Debbie’s connections extend far and wide. She serves on the United Way Board of Directors. She is a board member of the Cranberry Township Community Chest and recently took over as president of the Cranberry Township Rotary. She also serves on many committees supporting various fundraisers.

When she is not giving back, Debbie is a self-proclaimed YouTube junkie, an accomplished seamstress and spends time loving up her five dogs. She is a foster dog parent with Cross Your Paws and is in the process of placing her 16^th foster dog.

To learn more about United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, contact Lynne Popash at lynne.popash@unitedwayswpa.org in Allegheny County or Terri Dominick at Terri.Dominick@unitedwayswpa.org  in Westmoreland County, or Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher at sherrie.dunlapgallagher@unitedwayswpa.org in Butler County.