With the valley’s population now over 600,000, the United Way of Utah County, as it’s now called, still works to provide help for county residents.

Within a year, Lewis, a vice president at Brigham Young University, partnered with the United Fund to allow employees to donate through the workplace. According to the nonprofit’s history, BYU has become the United Way of Utah County’s largest donor. Sorenson was the president of the Central Utah Vocational Schools, which eventually became Utah Valley University. They, too, became a sponsor.

“These innovative leaders thought, ‘how could we do good,'” Jeanette Bennett, founder of Utah Valley Magazine and UWUC board chair-elect, said during a Wednesday anniversary celebration. “It was revolutionary at the time to have workplace donations.”

Bill Hulterstrom, president and CEO of United Way of Utah County since 1985, called Sorenson and Lewis, “planners for growth in Utah County.”

Courtesy Riana Bruce-Goodsky

Over the decades, the United Way has developed a focus on specific problems facing Utah County including transportation in the 1970s, domestic violence in the 1980s, health care in the 1990s, literacy in the 2000s and youth resiliency in the 2010s

In looking forward to the next 60 years, the most used word growth.

“As we look at our future, growth dominates our discussions, growth is dominating every discussion,” Hulterstrom said. “We know growth is going to continue.”

He noted that, by 2060, Utah County will have a population of about 1.5 million and it will continue to stay young. The youngest city in the valley is Eagle Mountain, with an average resident age of 19. Hulterstrom said that number, and the average age in other cities in the county, has changed only slightly over the last decade while other locations, such as Salt Lake City, are aging.

“We will be staying young in Utah County and that changes how we think about the future,” Hulterstrom said.

Isaac Hale, Daily Herald file photo

Hulterstrom also discussed a lack of connection between individuals, specifically after societal changes from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We lost connection. Schools and students suffered. Young people are suffering more with depression. They lost neighborhood connection,” he said.

Youth have been most harmed by that lost communication, Hulterstrom noted from the data in group’s recently completed Community Needs Assessment.

“We took a step backward,” Hulterstrom said. “Education, mental health and connectivity have struggled in the past three years.”

Hulterstrom reached out to business stakeholders in the United Way to ask what they think should be done to regain what has been lost.

Courtesy BYU

“We need to be visionary. We are not planning for today, but for what will become. We need the vision, then have the courage to do what needs to be done,” said former Gov. Gary Herbert, a longtime Orem resident.

Herbert also gave his appreciation for the United Way of Utah County in raising the bar and allowing people to serve.

“We need more compassion and more concern,” said Erica Coleman, a local mom and volunteer. “I need to listen to the children. We need to live united.”

Another goal for residents is to create time in their schedules to serve.

Before ending the celebration, Hulterstrom looked out at those present in the room and said there was only one word he could think of — gratitude. Gratitude for the hours of service, the donations and the ways in which they were making United Way better.

Daily Herald file photo

“Thank you for making a difference and setting a foundation for the future,” Hulterstrom said through tears of appreciation for those who have given time and money to serve the community.

Throughout 2023 there will be other 60th anniversary events, culminating with another large celebration in October. In the meantime, Hulterstrom is hoping individuals, groups and companies come together and plan for the future — for the kids.