Community members gathered at Haywood Park Community Hospital Friday morning, Sept. 15, for the launch of this year's United Way campaign. A continential breakfast was provided by Haywood Park. Those attending were told about local agencies funded by United Way and introduced to Kennedy Dancy, a third grader, who told about what she does at the Boys & Girls Club; and Nikita Currie, who talked about his job and how he was able to get it thanks to the training he receives at the Ben Rich Center. Pictured above are (left) Kennedy with Boys & Girls Club Director Alisa Hopson and Nikita with Quintez Currie, a staff member at Ben Rich.
This year's campaign is off to a good start with a special gift of $10,000 already pledged.
Campaign Co-Chair Alan Callery unveils the banner revealing this year's goal of $169,300.

Haywood County Launches 2006 United Way Campaign

An exhilarated crowd gathered at Haywood Park Community Hospital early Friday, Sept. 15, to launch Haywood County’s 2006 United Way campaign.

Campaign Co-Chairperson Will Jones welcomed the crowd. After the board members and agency partners were presented, those present heard how United Way has made a difference in the lives of two individuals. Kennedy Dancy, a third grader, talked about what she does at the Boys & Girls Club. Nikita Currie shared about his job with EW James, which he got because of his involvement with the Ben Rich Center.

 “We can talk about raising money all day long,” said Alan Callery, campaign co-chairperson. “That doesn’t mean a thing if we’re not making a difference in people’s lives. I appreciate Kennedy and Nikita joining us for our kickoff and sharing their stories. It just helps people understand that United Way is about us helping our friends and neighbors have better lives. Working together, we are making a difference.”

“We appreciate Haywood Park hosting our kickoff this year,” said Jones. “They provided a wonderful breakfast and great location to kick start our efforts. There are so many needs in our community. Many of them we will never know. When we all give just a little of our time or resources, we’re able to accomplish so much. Our team is excited about what we’re going to do with United Way this year. We know we can reach our goal.”

The program’s finale was when Callery unveiled this year’s campaign goal of $169,300. He also announced that they have also received a $10,000 endowment to jumpstart the effort.

Jones, Callery and a team of community leaders will lead Haywood County’s United Way effort. They include Gary Pettigrew, Hope Cannon, Jackie Collins, Sonny Howse, Sonia Outlaw-Clark, John Finn, Danny Dean, Veronica Poke, Angella Palmer, Regie Castellaw, Donnie King, Franklin Smith, Bob Bond, Darlene Knox, Sunny Mahajan, Ricky Reed, Anne Banks, Carolyn Flagg, James Evans, Jo Anne Finn, Tim Stokely and Joe Ing.

From its 2005-06 United Way campaign, Haywood County raised more than $167,000. That money is being invested in 22 agencies and programs that include American Red Cross, Reading Railroad, Ben Rich Center, Mustard Seed, the Rescue Squad and more.

United Way in Haywood County is a local, volunteer-driven organization that helps local people in need. Through United Way, individual pledges and payroll deduction campaigns are combined to create a fund that supports health and human service programs and agencies serving the area. Local volunteers decide where funds are invested by carefully reviewing applicant agencies that believe in children and youth, empower people with disabilities, care for the elderly, meet basic and emergency needs and strengthen families.

To find out how to help with our community’s United Way effort, call Jennifer Wood at (731) 422-1816 or email her at jlwood@unitedway.tn.org. More information is available at United Way of West Tennessee’s website, www.unitedway.tn.org. Donations may be mailed to United Way, P. O. Box 2086, Jackson, TN 38302-2086. Please note on your check that it is for Haywood County.