Marengo, IL – Through various fundraising efforts, employee generosity and corporate gifts, Nissan Forklift Corporation, headquartered in Marengo, Illinois, has donated more than $242,000 for the United Way of Greater McHenry County.

Nissan Forklift began raising funds for the organization in 2002; by the end of 2011 the company had donated nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Employees have participated in a variety of fundraising events including silent auctions, chili cook offs, bake sales and executive chair races.

“I’ve let employees throw pies at me for donations,” said Lee Van Syckle, director of human resources at Nissan Forklift. “If the employees meet a certain challenge in percentage or dollar amount raised, I’ll commit to participating in something outrageous.”

Nissan Forklift chose to support the United Way of Greater McHenry County because of the variety of programs that the organization supports and because the donations directly support programs instead of covering administrative costs. The organization has 24 partner-agencies with 48 different programs.

“The United Way of Greater McHenry County supports programs for every age from newborn babies to senior citizens. Last year, almost a quarter of McHenry County residents benefited from one of the programs,” said David Barber, the executive director of the United Way of Greater McHenry County. “We couldn’t do what we do here at the United Way without the commitment and support from companies like Nissan Forklift.”