Randal Voss, Chairman for the 2007 United Way Campagin, addressed a group of Company
CEO's Friday, at a campaign "kick-off" luncheon at The Lodge.

 

2007 United Way Campaign
"Kicks-Off" With Friday Luncheon
and Sets Goal of $145,000.00

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

It was warm fellowship and a delicious meal at The Lodge, on Friday, at noon, when local United Way Campaign workers hosted a luncheon to recognize the top contributors to last year's campaign and to set the goal for this year's campaign. Randal Voss, 2007 Campaign Chair, announced that a goal of $145,000.00 had been set for this year and that last year's goal of $140,000.00 was reached and exceeded by over $9,000.00. "We had an exceptional year and it was all because of you gathered here today, who gave from your heart to help those less fortunate in our community," exclaimed Voss. "I just want to encourage you to continue the genrosity that makes Hopkins County such a unique and giving place to live!"

 

Bob Weaver entertained the crowd, on Friday, with humor and encouraged the continued support
of the local United Way Campaign for this year.

Peggy and Bob Weaver, last year's campaign chairmen, made history as the first
husband/wife team to serve as chairmen, and when they raised a top goal of over $149,000.00.

 

Bob and Peggy Weaver, last year's campaign co-chairmen, will be serving as President of the United Way organization, this year, and Bob Weaver thanked those who had made last year's campaign such a success and encouraged them to continue their spirit of giving.

 

A wonderful meal was enjoyed at The Lodge, to "kick-off" this year's United Way effort.

 

Top 15 contributors to last year's campaign were: Grocery Supply Company, Sulphur Springs ISD, Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, UPS, Alliance Bank, Flowserve, Hanna Construction, Oncor Electric Delivery, Sulta Manufacturing Company, City National Bank, Clayton Homes, City of Sulphur Springs, Echo Publishing Comppany, Jeld-Wen, and Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.

Charlotte Henderson, executive secretary of the local United Way organization, for the past thirty years, then called on some of the past campaign chairmen to come forward and share some of the funny and unique things that had marked the campaigns through the years. Speakers included Joe Bob Burgin, Malcom Kirkland, Wayne Galyean, Stacey Cody, and Steve Shing.  Henderson related that this year's campaign marked the 52nd such campaign in Hopkins County, of the organization that began as the United Fund, with a goal of only $29,500.00.

 

 

Burgin told those gathered that the campaign goal in 1978 was $39,000.00 and that his workers raised $40,000.00. He was chairman thirty years ago, when they hired Charlotte Henderson, as the executive secretary of the organization, and several remarks from the crowd reminded Burgin that his hair was much darker, back then!

 

Malcom Kirkland, 1985 United Way Campaign Chairman, brought a sweatshirt that had been
used in his campaign, when he "took on" Ike Harper, a star basketball player, in "friendly"
game of hoops, all for the campaign.

 

Kirkland told the group that he was chairman in 1985, and that the way he became involved in the organization was that "you can't say NO to Charlotte Henderson!" "The most memorable thing I remember is that we all talk about the people that are helped by the funds of United Way, but the biggest benefit I see of the organizations is being able to meet and work with the people of the community, while collecting the funds," proclaimed Kirkland.

Galyean, who was chairman in the early 1990's compared the giving to United Way to that we are instructed to do in the Bible and "that it is more blessed to give than receive!" He told of the great experiences he had with many of the very people in the room, who served with him and helped make the drive successful.

Cody, who served in 1994-95, told the group that his goal was $100,000.00, and then had the crowd rolling with laughter as he related how on "kick-off" day, he had a kidney stone and Henderson still had him down at the luncheon. He told how that she thought he was playing a joke on her, when he was admitted to the local hospital! Cody challenged the group with the question, "If we don't get involved, who will?"

 

Stacey Cody, 1994-95 Campaign Chairman, related that despite "giving birth" to a kidney stone,
Charlotte Henderson wouldn't let him give up on the campaign!

 

Shing, chairman of the campaign in 1997-98, told of how as a ten year old child, he was the beneficiary of a United Way Program and how the concept had continued to motivate him to help others. He praised his employer, Grocery Supply Company, for their dedication to the local United Way campaign and remembered a goal of $100,000.00, when he was chairman. Shing had used a slogan of "Raising the Level of Awareness," during his campaign and reminded everyone that the slogan was still appropriate for the organization.

 

 

Henderson also introduced Larry Crowson, who served as the 2000-01 Chairman, and told how that he didn't quite meet his campaign goal, but was the only person in the history of the organization who came back a second year to serve, and to make certain that the goal was met that year!

Henderson praised Bob and Peggy Weaver for creating history with last year's campaign by being the first husband/wife team to serve as campaign chairmen, and of raising more money than any other campaign, when their final total stands at $149, 687.00.

 

Charlotte Henderson showing some of the enthusiasm that she brings to each United Way
campaign, as she gets ready to celebrate her 30th year with the organization. Her training as
a Cumby High School Cheerleader serves her well, in many instances!

 

Weaver then came to the podium and began a brief history of the many things that Henderson had been involved with, while serving 30 years as the executive secretary. He encouraged those in attendance to view a group of scrapbooks, that Henderson had compiled and "take a trip down memory lane!" He then called Henderson to the front and presented her with a travel voucher, that had been collected by the many friends, supporters, and workers, who wanted to mark her 30 years of service to the organization.

 

Weaver surprised Henderson with a travel voucher, that friends, supporters, and campaign workers
collected, to mark her 30th anniversary with the organization!

 

Packets for local businesses will be distributed next week, with the month of October being filled with a number of United Way activities, and end with a hamburger cook-out, slated in Downtown Sulphur Springs, at noon, on November 2nd.

 

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