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Officers and members of the volunteer board of the United Way of White County show celebrate the 2023 fundraising success. Pictured are Chuck Johnstone, Lauren Williams, Kielea Loggins, Dean Dyer, Nanette Baughman, Gene White, Susan Cremering, Carol Powell, Courtney Allison and Donald Harris.
Staff reports
Based on the success of the fundraising in 2023, the United Way of White County increased the Target Goal from $80,000 in 2022 to $90,000 in 2023, an 11 percent increase over the prior year to provide additional funding to local non-profits.
The United Way of White County also raised additional funds to exceed the $90,000 target goal with over $11,000 in workplace employee donations at local businesses and government agencies, $9,800 from the Annual Bucket Drive and over $2,500 from hot chocolate sales at the Lighting of the Tree in Helen.
Led by newly elected officers and an energetic volunteer board, the United Way of White County is preparing the kickoff for its 2024 campaign for funding of local agencies furnishing a wide range of human services.
“As the United Way of White County looks to celebrate 41 years of serving our neighbors in need, we are renewing our commitment to our community with development of exciting new functions while continuing the success of such events as the Darrell Chaney Invitational celebrity golf tournament,” said Lauren Williams, lifelong resident and the board’s new chair.
“Since its founding in 1983, the United Way of White County has directed more than $2 million to not-for-profit agencies serving our community,” Williams said. “We look forward to carrying on this tradition of providing a helping hand thanks to the abundance of generous support with which we’ve been blessed.”
The local United Way’s other officers include Nathan Eason as vice chair, Taylor Thomas as secretary, Donald Harris as treasurer and Susan Cremering as parliamentarian.
New board members installed at the January Board meeting included Courtney Allison, Nanette Baughman and Kiela Loggins. Returning board members included Dean Dyer, Stacy Gray, Mary Isbell, Angie Jarrard, Chuck Johnstone, Carol Powell and Gene White.
Dr. Mark Griffin completed his term at the end of 2023. Two other board members’ terms concluded earlier in 2023, Denise Loggins and Paul Scott Abbott.
The 22st annual Darrel Chaney Invitational, chaired by former Major League Baseball player and 1975 World Series champion Darrel Chaney, is slated for April 15-16 in Helen.
Proceeds related to the 2023 edition of the event included over $63,000 from tournament participants and sponsors and a $5,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands in the Community program, backing volunteer efforts of leadership of Jacky Jones Allstate.
In preparation for the 2024 allocation cycle, United Way of White County held an informational pre-application workshop on Dec. 5, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Express with lunch provided by Cowboys and Angels. Sixteen agencies attended to hear presentations from Board Members Mark Griffin and Susan Cremering, along with a presentation by Lacey Resch of Unite Us Georgia.
The deadline for grant application submissions is Feb. 1.
The United Way has partnered with Family Connection to promote the no-cost enrollment by non-profits in the Unite Us platform. The platform streamlines the referral process amongst agencies and helps prevent duplication of services.
For details and a link to donate, visit unitedwaywhitecounty.org.