CULLMAN, Ala. – United Way of Cullman County (UWCC) on Wednesday went online for a virtual celebration of its 2019-20 campaign. After a livestream kickoff at 7:30 a.m. by Executive Director Becky Goff and Board Member Jennifer Parker, UWCC’s social media platforms were abuzz throughout the day with videos from officials and agency representatives from across the community, including:
- UWCC Board Chairman Ross West
- Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry
- Kelsey Rice Scott of Hope Horses
- Jolanda Hutson of Good Samaritan Health Clinic
- Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs
- Charese Morris of the Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled
- Dusty Baker of the Commission on Aging
- Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill
- Peggy Harris of Pilot Light Home
- Carol Horstman of Victim Services
- Representative Randall Shedd, R-Fairview
- James Conway and Raydonna Sims of Cullman County 4-H Clubs
- Misty Moon of the American Red Cross
- South Vinemont Councilwoman Sonya Mabry
- Cullman City Councilman Johnny Cook
- CCBOE Superintendent Dr. Shane Barnette
- Cullman City Council President Jenny Folsom
- Susan Eller of the Cullman Economic Development Agency
- Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail
UWCC issued this statement:
United Way of Cullman County postponed the 2019-20 annual meeting celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was to take place on May 20 where United Way Board members, volunteers and long-time community partners planned to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2019-20 campaign and recognize local business and employees for their support.
For 40 years, volunteers and business partners have contributed from their paychecks to help improve our community. An unmeasurable amount of volunteer hours has been spent –this year alone we estimate our community benefited from over $74,000 in volunteer time and in-kind contributions made possible by United Way volunteers. Most importantly, thousands of lives have been changed.
This year we are not able to gather to celebrate, but we certainly want to recognize the accomplishments of our campaign and the individuals who have made an impact on our community on behalf of this organization.
In the release, Goff recognized the Top 10 Outstanding Workplace Campaigns:
- Wal-Mart Distribution Center #6006
- Publix
- Rusken Packaging
- Topre America
- Alabama Cullman Yutaka Technologies
- Louisiana Pacific
- REHAU
- Cullman Regional Medical Center
- Cullman County Board of Education
- Wallace State Community College
Goff said, “We are disappointed that we could not personally recognize the volunteers and businesses that helped us pass our goal this year, particularly Wal-Mart Distribution Center whose Foundation made a special $30,000 grant to our annual campaign. Between the employee pledgees, corporate matching funds and the new grant, Wal-Mart Distribution and their employees have pledged over $100,000 to support our work in the community. We would also like to thank Publix Super Markets and Publix Charities for their support. Together they have pledged $82,000 to United Way.”
UWCC received more than $475,000 in pledges prior to the COVID-19 shutdown.
Goff noted, “We know that there will be some pledge loss due to the recent economic impact to our community, but we also know that Cullman County is a very generous community and everyone will do all they can to help us meet the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.”
The statement continued:
Each year, United Way invests in local nonprofits and programs that work diligently to transform our community in the areas of health, education and financial security. The following programs have been awarded financial support from United Way after participating in a citizen review process that took place in February.
- American Red Cross
- Commission on Aging
- Cullman Caring for Kids
- Cullman County Center for Developmentally Disabled
- Easter Seals
- 4-H
- Girl Scouts
- Good Samaritan Health Clinic
- Hope Horses
- Hospice of Cullman County
- Pilot Light Home
- 2-1-1
- Senior Companion Program
- Foster Grandparent Program
- Victim Services of Cullman
- Youth Advocate Program
United Way would like to thank our sponsors for their support of our events and fundraising as well as each individual that supported United Way through their payroll deduction or donation . . . The Annual Report to the community will be released later this summer.
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