For the first time this year, the United Way of Elizabethton and Carter County will host its campaign kickoff in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast. It will feature guest speaker Charlee Workman, a former beneficiary of United Way aid. This free event will take place 7:30-9 a.m. Sept. 24 in the Pine Room of the Wellness Center at 1509 W. Elk St.
The fundraising goal for the months-long campaign is $161,000, which will go to agencies and their programs withing the United Way’s three focus areas: health, education and income.
“We’re making change happen in Carter County, and there’s no reason why we can’t reach our goal,” said Director Cheri Tinney. “I think our residents just need to see where the impact is.”
For this reason, she is pleased to have Workman, a public library clerk, speak from personal experience about the impact of United Way’s assistance on her life and her family.
“She is an example of someone who is a successful and important part of the community that at one point received health and other benefits from our organization,” said Tinney.
Acording to Tinney, in the past, the speaker at the kickoff has been the president of a donor company or something similar, not someone who has been given a hand-up from the United Way, and she believes that this will positively impact those present to see that people need the assistance they provide.
Annual donors will be recognized and the pace setter amount, derived from the past five years’ averages will be announced. The following donors pledged a total of $41,312.92 to the 2014-2015 campaign: O’Reilly Auto Parts, Mountain States Health Alliance, Cline-Holder Electric Supply, Jacob’s Engineering Group, Citizens Bank, Sam Laporte, Arby’s, East Tennessee State University, Carol and Randolph Brown, Tetrick Funeral Home.
“Networking is ideal for this campaign, so all of our agencies wil be available to answer questions, and we will also offer campaign packets to these businesses,” said Tinney.
For more information call Tinney at 423-543-6975 or send an email to director@uwayecc.org.