UNITED WAY CELEBRATES 2016-2017 CAMPAIGN

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala – United Way of Marshall County celebrated the community’s generosity with over 145 attendees at its Annual Meeting and Campaign Celebration at the Progress Rail Operations Center on February 23. The celebration recognized companies and organizations throughout Marshall County that conducted outstanding United Way workplace campaigns in 2016. During the Campaign Chairman’s Report, Chairman Steven Knowles announced $763,507 had been raised for the 2016/2017 Campaign which exceeded this year’s goal of $750,000. The fundraising campaign began in August 2016.

“We are so thankful for the generosity and support of so many companies, organizations and individuals,” said Campaign Chair Steven Knowles. “The Campaign Celebration is a wonderful opportunity to recognize these givers who are helping make our community stronger every day.”

In addition to the Chairman’s Gold (per capita gift of $125 or more), Silver (per capita gift of $75 - $124) and Bronze (per capita gift of $50 - $74) Awards and the Unity (100% participation) Awards, there were several other awards of excellence presented at this year’s celebration:

  • Best Overall Campaign Award presented to Progress Rail for largest overall corporate campaign and top contributor for this year’s campaign. This is the fifth year in a row that Progress Rail has received this honor.  Progress Rail employees contributed $44,441.00 and the corporation matched their contributions dollar for dollar for a total of $87,349.00.
  • Spirit of Giving Award presented to Mitchell Grocery Corporation for exemplifying outstanding employee and corporate leadership giving in our community. Mitchell Grocery Corporation contributed a total of $36,181 with the employees contributing $31,181 of that amount.
  • Live United Award presented to former Marshall County Arc Executive Director Nalda Kitchens for exemplifying United Way’s core goals of Give, Advocate and Volunteers throughout the year.

The top twenty contributors for this year’s campaign include:

  1. Progress Rail

11.    Peoples Independent Bank

  1. Publix

12.    Syncro Corporation Inc.

  1. Mitchell Grocery Corporation

13.    Newman Technology Inc.

  1. Citizens Bank & Trust

14.    Regions

  1. Paragon Picture Gallery

       15.    Kabco Builders

  1. Randy Jones Nationwide Insurance

       16.    Albertville City Schools

  1. UPS

       17.    Factory Connection

  1. Davis Lee Companies/AlaTrade

       18.    Parker Hannifin

  1. Marshall Medical Centers

       19.    Guntersville City Schools

  1. Propac Images

       20.    Marshall County Schools

 

In addition, 2016-2017 United Way Board President Susan Tully delivered the organization’s 2016 Annual Report to the Community which highlighted what has been accomplished here in Marshall County through generous donor dollars. He also recognized Steven Knowles for serving as chair of United Way’s fundraising campaign and announced that he will be serving in this capacity again for the 2017/2018 campaign.

Through the support and efforts of many, United Way of Marshall County funded 22 partner agencies and programs that helped make our communities stronger. These agencies and programs include: 2-1-1 First Call for Help, 4-H Clubs of Marshall County, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, CASA of Marshall County, Child Advocacy Center, Child Development Centers of Marshall County, Court Appointed Juvenile Advocates (CAJA), Domestic Violence Crisis Services, Family Services of North Alabama, Marshall County Foster and Adoptive Parents Association, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, Marshall County Arc, Marshall County Guardianship Program, Marshall County Home Place, Marshall County Homeless Ministries, Meals on Wheels, RSVP Income Tax Preparation and Shepherd’s Cove Hospice. United Way of Marshall County also issued two community impact grants to the Youth Advocate Program and the Alabama Head Injury Foundation.

Additionally, dollars are being invested in initiative programs that impact current and emerging community issues and leverage additional community resources. These programs include: Day of Caring and Can-a-thon.