After eclipsing their campaign goal by more than $22,000 two years ago, United Way for Clinton County had a respectable year but fell short of its campaign goal.
Even though this year’s campaign won’t be finalized until May, United Way officials are sure that next year will be even better than two years ago if an agency returns to form.
“If industry comes back, we can’t be stopped,” said incoming president Carol Price.
Price becomes president this year. Jeni Royalty and Tristen Comegys are both first vice presidents and campaign co-chairs, Karen Gregerson will be second vice president along with being the treasurer while Becky Davis and Dylan Stambaugh are sharing the duties of third vice president and agency relations.
The remaining board members are Chris Vawter, Alicia Albertson, Chad Dennison, Mark Sanders, Esmerelda Cruz, Cindy Long, Evan Hall, Becky Griffy and Glenda Frey. The three outgoing officers are Cheryl Carpenter, Tony Del Real and Eric Woods.
The annual meeting was held Tuesday afternoon at Faith Family Church and was attended by approximately 100 individuals.
“The turnout was wonderful and I think its amazing how warm and loving everyone is in this setting because they all care about each other,” said Price. “I think what we have going on in Clinton County and Frankfort right now is everybody is working together and that is so nice.”
Two Campaign awards were given out to the City of Frankfort and Clinton Prairie. The city brought in just over $28,000 this past year which up from just over $10,000 the year before. Clinton Prairie increased their total to just over $4,000 this past year up from under $300 the year before.
Two Volunteer of the Year awards were handed out to a pair of elementary students — London Culp, a third-grader at Clinton Prairie, and Layne Morris, who is in second grade at Blue Ridge.
Culp was recognized for her “Show Some Love” campaign by baking treats for adults and dogs. Morris raised his money for the “Home for the Night”, which caters to homeless people and was able to collect 6,183 items for the agency.
“I think its wonderful that children understand philanthropy before they know how to spell it,” said Price. “I think that is so cool. So, I suggested to the head of our marketing committee that he gets them on the marketing committee.”
Executive Director Anita Stewart was asked what is the big goal for this year.
“Our big goal is we’re working with the Chamber of Commerce trying to get a tech center and we’re working on trying to get a daycare started,” said Stewart. “These are all talks at the moment.”
The programs that are funded by the United Way include American Red Cross, Clinton County Boys and Girls Club, Clinton County Family YMCA (Learning Ladder Early Learning and Summer and Afterschool Child Care Program), Clinton County Foundation for Youth (Camp Cullom), COACH Kids of Clinton County, Family Literacy Program, Frankfort Community Library, Food Finders Food Bank, Healthy Communities (Mental Health and Youthrise Youth Leadership Council), Open Door Clinic, Paul Phillippe Resource Center, Project Lifesaver, Quinton’s House Program of Heartford House, Salivation Army and WeCare Recovery Home.