Campaign surpasses goal, raises $132,000
The United Way of Unicoi County wrapped up another campaign on Wednesday, Dec. 10, with a luncheon at the Clinchfield Senior Adult Center.
With a goal of $105,000 for the 2015 campaign, the campaign raised $132,200
Through your generosity and your co-workers generosity, we have been able to support over 30 organizations, said United Way chairman Lee Brown at the luncheon.
By eclipsing its 2015 campaign goal, the organization was able to present special funds to the following entities: Manna House Food Pantry, Unicoi County Heritage Museum, Kiwanis Childrens Shopping Tour, Imagination Library, Erwin Utilities Good Samaritan Fund, Second Harvest Food Bank, Clinchfield Senior Adult Center, the Board of Education Discretionary Fund, Recover Appalachia and the Unicoi County Family YMCA.
One by one, checks were presented to each of the aforementioned entities.
The luncheon also recognized Nuclear Fuel Services, the Unicoi County School System, United Steel Workers, Impact Plastics, Unicoi County Memorial Hospital, Erwin Utilities, Morrill Motors, NN, Inc., the Unicoi County Gas Utility District and INC. for their work in contributing funds and/or labor for this years campaign.
The United States has always been a world leader in giving, said Brown at the conclusion of the luncheon. Even as times may change, the one thing our country has always been number one at is giving. We give back to our communities and neighbors … if we are remembered for one thing, let it be that.
Before the amount was revealed, those at the luncheon took a moment to recognize the area students who participated in the United Ways annual contest. For this year, students from the elementary schools and high schools were challenged to create a video to promote United Way and the organizations work. The challenge was intended to go hand in hand with social media and technology used by students today.
Ms. Cottages third grade class from Unicoi Elementary won the grand prize for the elementary division.