GRIFFITH – Dave Sikes, Lake Area United Way’s director of allocations and AFL-CIO Community Services liaison, has stepped down from the post he held for nearly 28 years.
Sikes joined Lake Area United Way on July 1, 1985. During his career, Sikes coordinated LAUW’s volunteer allocations process, overseeing the reinvestment of over $100 million of donor contributions back into human services to help local people in need.
In 2008 Sikes was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer that has no cure at the present. “Five years ago they said, ‘We think you have two to five years left.’’’ Sikes said. His illness is in remission and he said he’s looking forward to spending more time with his wife Rose and their two children, Megan and Justin, and tending to his garden at their home in Hammond.
A lifelong Lake County resident, Sikes graduated from Griffith High School in 1966. He served in Vietnam as part of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.
Lake Area United Way President/CPO Lou Martinez praised Sikes for his many years of work. “For so many years, Dave has given his heart and soul to United Way, organized labor and to his community. His expertise and passion will be sorely missed,” Martinez said.
