Markeda Fisher and Kayla Price will serve as Co-Presidents of United Way for 2012-13 and welcomed
guests to Wednesday's CEO Luncheon, hosted at The Lodge.

 

United Way CEO Luncheon
"Kicks Off" This Year's Campaign, Wednesday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Wednesday's traditional United Way CEO Luncheon "kicked-off" this year's campaign with a lunch at The Lodge hosted by Alliance Bank and The Lodge. The event recognizes the top supporters from the previous year's campaign and features a motivational speach, given this year by Wildcat Coach and Athletic Director, Greg Owens.

Markeda Fisher and Kayla Price, last year's Campaign Co-Chairs and serving as Co-Presidents of this year's campaign, welcomed guests and introduced this year's Campaign Chair, Judy Tipping. Tom Sellers of Alliance Bank, led the group in a prayer.

"In selecting a chairman for this year's campaign we searched long and hard to find someone who knew this community, had a passion for United Way, and had the leadership qualities to lead and motivate," expressed Fisher and Price. "And, soon it became evident that the person for the job was our fellow co-worker and family friend, Judy Tipping. She's tirelessly worked for years on the campaign, has led the Sulphur Springs ISD in all capacities, been an active member of the Sulphur Springs Rotary Club in all levels, and knows the people of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County from years of community service."

 

 

2012-13 United Way Campaign Chair, Judy Tipping, a longtime United Way Volunteer,
will serve as this year's campaign leader.

 

 

Former SSHS teacher and principal, Judy Tipping, then came to the podium and announced the theme for the 2012-13 Campaign as being "The Greatest Hearts on Earth...Making Needs Come True!" "Having worked with both United Way and the people of Hopkins County, I've learned that this is the most giving community on earth and place that everyone works together to help their neighbors in need," expressed Tipping. "I've seen the 'heart' of Hopkins County, first-hand, and many of those responsible are in this very room, as they go about making a difference in our community! You are the heart of United Way and our community!"

 

 

 

 

Tipping then introduced the keynote speaker for the luncheon, Head Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens, a native of Hopkins County, who moved back here seven years ago to assume duties at the helm of the SSHS Athletic Department.

Owens spoke on the process of building a new team, each and every year. "Just like this campaign, we're challenged each year with taking the components that are left from the previous year and adding new people to build a new team," expessed Owens. "You assess your players, establish discipline, encourage the heart and desire of the members to surface, and most importantly establish the leadership to make things happen!"

 

 

Coach Greg Owens was the keynote speaker for Wednesday's luncheon.

 

Owens then gave a number of definitions of leadership, including those of Tom Landry and the Apostle Paul, as he reminded those in the audience they were the leaders of the community and the upcoming United Way Campaign. "You're the core ingredient to the success of this campaign," acknowledged Owens. "This is the greatest community I know of, and has so much good going for it, but it also has its challenges. Together everyone achieves more! You're the catalysts for making that happen!"

"This great community, the envy of many, many others, didn't just happen overnight!" expressed Owens. "It was a combination of the leaders in this room and the many, many others who have gone before to bring about success. It's our turn to continue this longstanding commitment to our community and this campaign to help those who need a helping hand!"

Tipping ended Wednesday's luncheon by making a number of announcements and told everyone that the Burgers With the Banks event will be hosted in Downtown Sulphur Springs at lunch on October 12th. She also noted that the City of Sulphur Springs had already conducted their United Way Drive and had started the campaign off on a positive note by exceeding their goal by over $800.00. This year's goal is $150,000.00.

 

 

 

 

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