CULLMAN, Ala. – At its largest fundraiser of the year, Designer Bag Bingo, on Thursday evening, Nov. 9, 2023, the United Way of Cullman County (UWCC) announced Stephanie Childers as its new executive director. Childers is currently serving as the UWCC’s resource development & outreach manager. She will replace outgoing Executive Director Waid Harbison, whose last day is Nov. 13.
When asked how she feels about the transition from her current position, Childers admitted a bit of hesitancy due to the impact Harbison has had over his last year of serving, but said she is excited to get started.
“I’m excited to get started. Waid is going to be some big shoes to fill for sure, but he’s promised he’ll hang around and come back when I need some help and let me lean into him a little bit,” she explained, saying she’s hoping the supportive atmosphere of the office will carry her through to success in her new role.
She also touted the willingness of the UWCC Board of Directors to step in and lend a hand.
“Our board is fantastic; they’re great to step in and help too!” she exclaimed.
Childers shared that while she is happy in her current position and never expected it to lead to such a large leadership role, she is just excited to make a difference.
“I was just tickled pink to have an opportunity to give back to the community,” she laughed. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity, and I hope I can champion it well!”
While the role is so multifaceted it can be difficult to choose just one aspect to look forward to, Childers said she’s pumped to serve her community in a new capacity.
“It’s such a big role that it’s hard to nail down one part of it, but giving back to the community is such a huge part of it,” she said.
She explained that while she’s always had a heart for the community, her passion was reignited with her son River attending the Cullman County Child Development Center. She said she became very active in the PTO, and it fueled a drive to keep giving back to help meet the needs in the community.
“Seeing how that went, and getting to be involved…seeing what we’re capable of if we’ve got the right direction was impactful,” said Childers. “I’m hoping I can give United Way that direction, too, to help it meet its full potential!”
Childers said she plans to maintain the current spirit of the UWCC, which involves being a switchboard for services and primary source for financial giving in Cullman.
“If you’re struggling, there’s somebody here to help you,” she said. “That’s the great thing about Cullman, too, is everyone has giving hearts.”
To learn more about the United Way of Cullman County, visit www.uwaycc.org.
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