Girlfriend Gala event raises $34,000
By Laura Catoe
Times Staff Writer
Published: Monday, March 29, 2010 at 4:17 p.m.
Last week's fifth annual Girlfriend Gala netted $34,000 to promote
childhood literacy in Etowah County.
The gala is a fundraiser for United Way Success By 6 and the Dolly
Parton Imagination Library. Through the Imagination Library, every
child in Etowah County, ages birth to 5, is eligible to receive
one book a month.
According to Tracey Webb, Success By 6 program director, the funds
raised at the gala will provide 971 children with 11,772 books
during the next year.
Nearly 600 women attended this year's gala. There
were 74 elaborately decorated tables and 80 volunteers. Floral
artist Benny Campbell was this year's master of ceremonies.
The theme was "Fabulous in the French Quarter," and
the evening ended with a parade led by a jazz band winding its
way through the tables as gala participants joined in.
"I hope everyone had a great time," Webb said,
"food, good fun and good girlfriends."
Webb asks anyone who would like to be involved with
2011's gala to call Success By 6 at 256-547-2581. The contact number
is the same for anyone who knows a child to be enrolled in the
Imagination Library.
Copyright © 2010 GadsdenTimes.com - All rights reserved. Restricted
use only
United Way celebrates $1.3 million raised
MARC GOLDEN | GADSDEN TIMES
Buy
photo
The United Way Campaign Cabinet reveals this year's pledge
amount at the United Way of Etowah County Campaign Victory
Celebration Thursday at Convention Hall. The total of pledges
and contributions for the next year is just over $1.3 million.
By Katherine Poythress
Times Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 6:41 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 6:46 p.m.
The United Way of Etowah County celebrated raising more than $1.3
million during its annual fundraising drive with a luncheon Thursday
afternoon.
The lighthearted event featured reports from each
of 11 division leaders who oversaw the fundraising campaign within
specified areas, such as education, industry, retail, government
and health care professionals. Each of the division leaders said
the amounts raised in their areas exceeded this year’s goals, and
the dollars continued trickling in even during the victory celebration.
The overall amount raised as of 1 p.m. Thursday totaled
$1,305,499, which exceeded the United Way's campaign goal by 3
percent, according to campaign chairman Todd Edmondson.
"That is better than we could have hoped for
in this economy," Edmondson said. "What a challenging
time to run a United Way campaign, but we are seeing more big-heartedness,
more people united together than ever before. Our strength is in
numbers, and our strength is in you."
The $1.3 million raised will go to support more than
three dozen local organizations focused on meeting the physical,
financial and educational needs of residents in Etowah County.
"This year we really focused on being generous
and others-minded," said financial division leader Jenny Tunstall.
"We've all been asked to reach into our pockets a little deeper,
and I think we did that."
This fundraiser's highlights included tens of thousands
in new dollars from the various divisions and new highs in participation,
with Blue Cross Blue Shield employees leading the way in gifts
at $945 per capita.
The industrial division contributed nearly half a
million dollars, and People's Independent Bank reached 100 percent
participation among its employees with its first-ever United Way
rally.
In the education division, Striplin Elementary School
exceeded its previous year's contributions by 110 percent, according
to division leader Pam Clough.
The day's numbers could have been mind-boggling and
boring, but moments of levity kept the good news in perspective.
Like when Tunstall enlisted the help of her "loaned executives"
Lee Cox, Jay Hedgspeth and Chris McGinnis to rap the financial
division's reports - to challenge the popular perception of bankers
as boring business people, she said.
After giving a breakdown of the $139,830 in contributions
from banks and accountants, "Ice Lee" and Hedgspeth danced
off the stage rapping, "You can take that right to the bank."
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may
not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
| United Way's Day of Action |
 |
| David Freeman, a volunteer from Goodyear, tosses
folded sheets to his daughter, Hollen, while sorting through
donated items at the Salvation Army during United Way's Day
of Action Thursday, June 25, 2009. (Gadsden Times, Sarah Dudik) |
By Miranda Sparks
Times Intern
Two hundred volunteers braved the Alabama heat in hopes
of making a difference, of giving something back. United
Way's 12th annual Day of Action saw 50 projects completed
for 19 agencies in need of an extra pair of hands.
"The volunteers are amazing," said Jessica Brown,
resource development and marketing director for United Way. "They
are so willing to give that four hours on a June afternoon
to go outside and sweat.".....Read
More Here and Watch
Video Here and Here |
United Way officials thank community for
efforts
GADSDEN
TIMES | ERIC T. WRIGHT
Lou
Lacey, who received United Way services when she was a victim
of a violent crime while a student at Auburn University, speaks
Wednesday at the United Way of Etowah County's annual meeting
to recognize 2008 Leadership Givers, agencies, board of directors
and contributors.
Published: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at
7:21 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 7:24 p.m.
You may save someone's life by just lending a helping hand or
a smile.
And the United Way of Etowah County knows that firsthand.
At the organization's annual meeting Wednesday, officials thanked
the community for its efforts and rewarded community members
on their contributions.
Lou Lacey of the Children's Hospital Intervention and Prevention
Services in Birmingham was the guest speaker. She said the United
Way deserves a "thank you" from everyone as well.
Since 1982, Lacey has been looking for a way to repay the organization
for its kindness during her time of trouble.
She was a victim of a violent crime while attending Auburn University
and that was the first time she encountered the United Way.
"When I entered the hospital, the first person I encountered
was a United Way volunteer who was so helpful," Lacey said. "She
offered so much words of wisdom and encouragement to me during
that time in my life."
During this episode, Lacey found her calling of advocacy and
charity.
At that point. she re-evaluated her life and took a direction
that would become an inspiration to many others, simply because
someone inspired her.
"It is more important to measure ourselves during times
that are difficult," Lacey said.
Since her Auburn days, Lacey has been searching for the United
Way volunteer who changed her life, but has not found that person.
As a result of her encounter with the volunteer, Lacey has become
active with the United Way as a volunteer counselor, professional
staff member and Loaned Executive.
She currently serves as the director of the CHIPS Center, an
outpatient treatment program for child abuse victims at Children's
Hospital of Alabama.
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material
may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
