Last year was difficult for many people across Lowndes County as unemployment soared and prices for basic necessities sky-rocketed. At times, the agencies trying to help those in need found themselves in need as well.
That’s where the United Way of Lowndes County steps in, funding local organizations that provide a wide range of services, from helping children and the elderly to aiding in crisis intervention and disaster relief.
Even in tough economic times, local people gave generously of their time and money, enabling the United Way to continue its mission, said Outgoing Board President Lynn Atkins Friday during the group’s annual meeting and awards ceremony at Trotter Convention Center.
“This past fall, you raised over half a million dollars,” Board President Stewart Stafford told supporters at the luncheon. “For some organizations, your gift is the difference between keeping their doors open or our community losing a critical service.”
The bulk of the money, approximately $174,652, went to agencies supporting health and quality of life issues, such as the YMCA and Contact Helpline. Agencies aiding in local crisis intervention and disaster relief, such as the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross, received $154,832. Agencies which create lasting change in people’s lives and strengthen community-building received $151,150. And agencies which serve children and youth received $95,750.
In the upcoming year, the United Way plans to revamp the way it distributes funding. The new Community Impact Model will place a heavier emphasis on gathering information from the community to assess areas of greatest need and establish measurable goals, said Allocations Chair Sarah McAnally Heinkel. By figuring out where the community’s assets and strengths lie, United Way can more effectively address gaps in coverage.
They plan to gather community input about areas of greatest need via social media, internet and mail surveys, newsletters and other methods. They also plan to solicit input from focus groups.
The goal is to get the most out of the resources available to ensure maximum impact, Heinkel said.
The new model will also place a greater, more intense focus on funding specific programs as opposed to just organizations, but none of it could be done without volunteers, Stafford said.
Awards and
appreciation
The United Way gave a number of awards to show their appreciation to individuals and companies going above and beyond.
The President’s Choice award was given to John Bowen, chief financial officer of BankTEL.
Executive Director Jan Ballard said Bowen always makes time for the United Way, taking on a number of different roles throughout the past four years, from his work as finance chair to serving on the allocations committee, leading committees as an auditor and helping donors learn more about United Way.
“He’s always had a very deep interest in the United Way organization and in the success of the organizations that we fund,” Ballard said.
Janesville Acoustics received the “Greatest Increase in Campaign” award for raising more than $15,000 — a 61 percent increase over the previous year. Janesville Campaign Coordinator Lea McCullough accepted the award on behalf of the company’s 81 employees.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle was recognized for “Best Community Fundraising Event” for their “2011 Heart Score” campaign, which raised $12,500 and raised community awareness of heart health issues.
The “2012 Best New Campaign” award went to East Mississippi Community College , which raised $7,500 in their first year of participation.
Lex Lemmers, plant manager of Paccar, was named CEO of the year for supporting his employees in their United Way roles and for supporting the United Way’s fundraising efforts.
A new award was also given this year. Kevin Stafford received the “Golden Plunger” award — complete with a real toilet plunger spray-painted gold — for his work as a new volunteer.
Stewart said Lemmers epitomizes the phrase “roll up your sleeves,” offering his help whenever and wherever it is needed.
New officers and board
New United Way officers were also named. New officers for 2012-2013 are: Board President Stewart Stafford, First Vice-President and Campaign Chair Marilyn Agnew, Second Vice-President and Campaign Co-Chair Kevin Stafford, Immediate Past President Lynn Atkins, Finance Chairman John Bowen, Secretary Beth Robinson, Allocations Chair Sarah Heinkel, Allocations Co-chair Reggie Hankins, and At-Large members Brandt Galloway, George Kerekes and Jason Sharp.
The new board of directors are: Dr. Jim Borsig, Amber Murphree-Brislin, Kathy Brown, Roger Burlingame, Nancy Burton, Paul Cade, Justin Casano, Rodger Coan, William Corder, John R. Davis, Todd Davis, Scott Ferguson, Gwen G. Ford, Deborah Junkin, Frances Jutman, Brenda Lathan, Pat Mitchell, Stuart Phillips, Aaron Overschmidt, Kacie Reeves and Walter Thatcher.
Campaigns and
contributions
The following companies were also recognized for their fundraising efforts and contributions over the past year: Pinnacle Campaigns and Contributions of $10,000 to $75,000 — Columbus Municipal School District, Weyerhaeuser Columbus Cellulose Fiber, Omnova Solutions, Inc., Cadence Bank, Severstal, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, Paccar, Janesville Acoustics, Microtek Medical, Trustmark Bank, Ceco Building Systems, American Eurocopter LLC, 4-County Electric Power Association, BELK, Baldor Electric Company and Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation;
Excellence Campaigns and Contributions of $5,000 to $9,999 — Metso Paper Columbus Service Center, Weyerhaeuser Columbus Modified Fiber, Sanderson Plumbing Products, Golden Triangle Mill Service, Lowndes County School District, East Mississippi Community College-Golden Triangle, Herman & Hazel Owen Foundation, Weitzenhoffer/Seminole Foundation, T.E. Lott and Company CPAs, Mississippi University for Women, Regions Bank, Columbus Scrap Materials, Tennessee Valley Authority, Burkhalter Rigging;
Community Matters Campaigns and Contributions of $1,000 to $4,999 — City of Columbus employees, Walmart Store #495, Bancorp South, BankTEL Systems, North Mississippi Medical Center, Allen B. Puckett Family Foundation, University Management, Galloway-Chandler-McKinney Insurance, United Parcel Service, Nichols, Crowell, Gillis, Cooper and Amos PA, Nammo Talley Defense Systems, Coldwell Banker/West Realty Company, D.K. Curtis, D.M.D. Pediatric Dentistry, The James and Kate Egger Family, Mitchell, McNutt and Sams PA, Dunn and Hemphill PA, Ellisville State School Columbus Community Programs, JC Penney Store #1829, Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, Financial Concepts, Wells Fargo Financial, Newell Paper Company, Atmos Energy, AT&T, The CPI Group, General Electric CSPARS, Trinity Place Retirement Community, BankFirst Financial Services, DACO Infinite Solutions, Lowndes County government employees, Reed’s of Columbus, and The Commercial Dispatch;
Community Spirit Campaigns and Contributions of up to $999 — Sunflower Food Stores, Sanderson Plumbing Products, Dowdle Enterprises Inc., Otolaryngology Associates, Golden Triangle Periodontal, Renasant Bank, State of Mississippi Division of Medicaid, Brooks Eye Center, Columbus Urology Group, Columbus Warehouse and Storage Inc., Elsberry Dental Clinic, Fitness Factor and Kudos, Stafford Realty Services, West Brothers Construction, Columbus Hematology and Oncology, Gastroenterology Associates of Grayco, Luke and Kaye Architects, Real Estate Inc., Stuart C. Irby Company, Nissan North America Inc. Canton, Doris Hardy and Associates Century 21, TRONOX LLC, Equifax, Caldwell Properties, Long and Long Realty, Thomas, Kerby, and Brown CPAs, Contact Helpline, REMAX Partners, Southern Family Market, and Elaine L. Evans CPA Tax and Accounting Service.
United Way Advocates were: Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, The Columbus Packet, The Commercial Dispatch, Citizens National Bank, University Management, WCBI Television, CableOne, WLZA Radio and Cumulus Media.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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