UWECC recognizes campaign contributors

Published 6:16 pm Friday, May 25, 2018

It takes everyone working together to Live United.

On Thursday morning, representatives of the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County took a few moments during the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast to recognize some of the individuals in the community who helped the agency have a successful fundraising campaign.

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The word that best describes how the local United Way officials feel is “gratitude,” according to United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County Community Impact Coordinator Crystal Carter.

“It takes a lot of people, and we are appreciative,” said UWECC Board Chairman Andrew McKeehan.

Reaching the campaign goal this year marked an accomplishment for the local United Way. Last year’s campaign was the first time in more than a decade the agency had reached its annual fundraising goal.

“Today, I’m proud to say we did it,” said Campaign Chairman Jon Hartman. “For the second year in a row, the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County exceeded our goal.”

Hartman expressed his thanks and the thanks of the agency to everyone who contributed either financially or by donating their time to help the United Way and its partner organizations.

“It may not always be easy to see the impact volunteering or donating can have, but, if you look closely, you will see your fingerprint on this community,” Hartman said.

Carter echoed Hartman’s sentiment.

“Your community-mindedness is indeed changing the world,” Carter said. “Some days it may be in small ways, and other days it may be by leaps and bounds, but you are definitely putting your hand out and pulling someone up.”

Carter, Hartman, and McKeehan presented several awards to recognize individuals and organizations who had a significant impact in this year’s fundraising campaign.

The Live United Hero Award was presented to Sycamore Shoals Hospital, which held the workplace campaign that raised the most money. Sycamore Shoals Hospital raised around $16,000 — which was part of the overall $26,000 raised through a campaign by Mountain States Health Alliance.

Carter County Bank and Citizens Bank each received the Life United Standard Bearer Award, which is presented to the second top fundraising workplace campaign. Carter said the amount raised by the two financial institutions was within mere dollars of each other, so the agency presented both banks with Standard Bearer Awards. Citizens Bank and Carter County Bank each raised nearly $10,000 for the United Way of Elizabethton Carter County.

Heritage Family Funeral Services, Norwell, and the City of Elizabethton were all honored with Live United Leader Awards, which are presented to workplace campaigns that raise more than $3,000.

Live United Ally Awards were presented to the following organizations that held workplace campaigns that raised between $1,000 and $3,000: Nuclear Fuel Services, Security Federal, Siemens, East Tennessee State University, Northeast State Community College, Southern Finance, Signature Healthcare, Elizabethton Federal, and the Rotary Club of Elizabethton.

Several individuals were also recognized for their contributions. United Way officials presented the Leadership Giving Captains Award to individuals who donated $1,000 or more to the United Way either directly or through campaigns at their workplace. This year’s Captains are Richard Tetrick, Tyler Tetrick, Dale Fair, Kent Wright, Horace Brumit, Sam LaPorte, Duane Taylor, and Rebecca Perkins.

This year, the local United Way officials presented a new award to a relatively new organization that has had a significant impact in the local community.

Carter presented the Living United Principal Partner Award to Grow Carter County. The United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County has worked with and serves as the fiscal agent for Grow Carter County, but does not provide the organization with any funding.

Through the efforts of Grow Carter County, Carter said Elizabethton and Carter County have now been designated as a “Healthier Tennessee Community.”

“There is so much they are involved in, and we are so proud to be their partner,” Carter said.