CULLMAN, Ala. – It has already been a week full of excitement for the United Way of Cullman County. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, UWCC was finally able to showcase months of hard work and preparation that culminated in the unveiling of its new location on Austin Avenue Southwest.
“The United Way of Cullman County is excited to announce the grand opening and ribbon cutting of our new office building, located at 104 Austin Ave. SW, Cullman,” said Executive Director Stephanie Childers. “This event marks a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to serve and support the Cullman community. Today we are celebrating a new chapter in our history. United Way of Cullman County exists to serve our neighbors and create opportunities for a better life for all.”
The nonprofit had been outgrowing its previous location for quite a while; storage and space were in short supply at the historic depot. The move came at the beginning of August, which saw the area nonprofit leave its longtime home at Cullman’s historic Train Depot by Depot Park to move across town to an updated and sleek building, with room to expand to fit UWCC’s growing list of resources and community partners.
The nearly 1,500-square-foot office will help staff and volunteers continue the work of UWCC and its partners, including connecting community members with valuable resources, programs and necessities, assisting with medical and housing needs and other considerations, as well as community engagement and more.
Childers smiled, “Our new location symbolizes our commitment to provide a welcoming space for individuals and families in need of assistance. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our donors, volunteers and local businesses. Without your dedication, this move would not have been possible. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected Cullman and Winston counties.”
The next day, Wednesday, Sept. 25, Childers made the trek to the Winston County Courthouse where the announcement was made that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will be headed into Winston County, supported by UWCC, Cullman Electric Cooperative and the Winston County Board of Education.
UWCC began preparations to open the local program in Winston County last fall when it was asked to serve as Winston County’s Imagination Library sponsor organization. Since accepting the responsibility, Childers and the rest of the UWCC team have been successful in securing funding for the first two years of the program through the help of grants and community sponsors.
In a release for the partnership, Childers said, “To be able to launch this program here today, an international program that has gifted over 250 million books, is to see a dream come to life. The community of Winston has a giving spirit and has always supported programs that help our youth. We are looking forward to signing up families to receive their free books and spreading the word about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”
To register a child for the program, visit www.uwaycc.org or www.imaginationlibrary.com
Any business or community group that would like to become a corporate sponsor should contact Stephanie Childers at schilders@uwaycc.org or Taylor Johnson at tjohnson@uwaycc.org.
Find out more at www.uwaycc.org.
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