It was a good year for the United Way of Lowndes County.
Despite a sluggish economy, the 55-year-old community service umbrella organization managed to raise $20,000 more than last year”s campaign total, and Allocation Chair Stewart Stafford says it will provide near-level funding to its 18 nonprofit agencies. But money is only half the story, so the United Way threw a party Wednesday to thank its better half.
With a full house in attendance at First United Methodist Church”s Artz Fellowship Hall, the United Way”s 2010 annual meeting honored the individuals, businesses, companies and organizations that helped raise $505,000 for its 2010 campaign, more than 84 percent of its $600,000 goal.
“We feel like our companies really stepped to the plate,” said Jan Ballard, executive director of the United Way of Lowndes County. “Employees were very gracious in digging in their pockets to ensure our agencies are able to continue their work in the community.”
To show its appreciation, the United Way handed out awards and certificates to more than 50 businesses and organizations. It also extended a special thank you to an exclusive few individuals.
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year award, generally reserved for an outstanding individual, instead went to an outstanding sub-community of the larger Lowndes County community: Columbus Air Force Base.
Col. Roger Watkins, Wing Commander at CAFB, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the base. He says the support the base receives from the community is so overwhelming, the base feels compelled to return the favor whenever possible.
“Essentially it is us being able to take, literally, hundreds of people that want to get involved in the community and volunteer their time and effort and getting the resources out to those opportunities,” said Watkins.
President”s choice
Another community, of sorts, played a huge role in the United Way”s campaign, thanks in large part to the enthusiasm of one volunteer. Marilyn Agnew, administrative assistant to Columbus High School Principal Craig Shannon, was the driving force behind the Columbus Municipal School District”s campaign drive which raised $73,000 for the United Way. Agnew was honored with the President”s Choice Award.
“The (CMSD”s) campaign has increased from a few thousand dollars six years ago to more than $73,000 this year,” said Stafford while introducing Agnew. “Her enthusiasm and compassion has touched the district”s staff.”
Individual awards also went out to Deborah Junkin of American Eurocopter, who took Campaign Coordinator of the Year honors, and Severstal CEO James Hrusovsky, who was named Campaign CEO of the Year.
Business awards
Domtar, which is scheduled to close operations in April, and Severstal were among 11 businesses, including given a Pinnacle Award for raising more than $10,000 during its company wide campaign. Sixteen organizations received Excellence Awards for raising more than $5,000.
Although the United Way raised nearly $60,000 less than its 2008 total, Ballard credits volunteers and campaigners with salvaging a year which easily could have been much worse. But for United Way agencies to continue serving the citizens of Lowndes County, the manpower has to return year after year.
“I hope our volunteers will help us spread the word about the important work of our organizations. Those (volunteers) who have a part in the allocation process and volunteers with our agencies are very important. From youth programs to helping people who are struggling to eat a meal or buy prescription medication, there”s just a broad range of services our agencies provide to our community,” she said.
The voice of volunteers
Volunteers at the awards luncheon also were quick to praise the United Way for the opportunity to serve their brothers and sisters in the community.
“They give me an opportunity when I”m trying to do some things to get out of myself and give back,” said Ashley Collins of Hattiesburg, the manager of Little Caesar”s Pizza in Columbus.
Mildred Neal of Columbus says volunteering helps her “feel like I”ve contributed a great part of me to my community.”
Future United Way volunteers will have a new face to work with in the near future when Community Volunteer Center Coordinator Meagan Coughlin leaves to take over marketing and public relations for the CPI Group in Columbus.
“It”s a bittersweet moment for me because the United Way has done so much for me in the past five years,” said Coughlin. “I started as a fledgling college grad, new to the game, and they helped me become a professional and meet so many people. I owe everything to the United Way.”
New officers
More change was on tap during Wednesday”s meeting as new United Way officers took their positions. Outgoing Board President Dennis Erby said his year at the head of the table was marked by thorough cooperation.
“Being an African-American and the first one to have held this position, I”m elated about the fact of how well we worked together and how many things we were able to accomplish,” he said. “It just goes to show that when people put their minds together to work together, they can. We worked together for the betterment of the community.”
William Corder will take over as board president. Erby will remain on the board.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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