The Lamar County United Way has exceeded a $600,000 goal with more pledges still coming in, a large group of volunteers meeting learned Wednesday morning at the final report meeting of the 2024 fundraising campaign.
“We did it, and it’s not the final number yet because we still have pledges coming in,” Executive Director Jenny Wilson told an exuberant group gathered for breakfast at the new CASA for Kids location at 1651 Clarksville St. “But as of this morning, I can tell you without a doubt we have surpassed our goal with $611,000.”
Wilson attributed fundraiser success to volunteers who run workplace campaigns, to United Way board members and to people who tell their neighbors and friends to give to the United Way.
“We are just so thrilled that we can continue to give back to this community,” she said. “It means everything to our board of directors and to all of our partner agencies that take care of our community.”
Those board members include Dr. Amanda Green, Kandace Davidson, Swati Prakash, Clint Cheatwood, Greg Higgins, Dr. Janice Gibbons, Andy Cobb, Don Dickerson, Laurie Redus, Melissa Gordon, Caressha Milton, Mihir Pankaj, Jason Exum, Russell Thrasher, Melissa Allen, Yesica Munguia, Shelley Landers and Willy Dyck.
Wilson called on workplace campaign leaders to report on individual campaigns as she added reports of several campaign leaders not in attendance. Those reports included First Federal Community Bank, $40,000; Liberty National Bank, $25,000; Lamar National Bank, $25,000; Peoples Bank, $10,728; Farmer’s Bank, $5,030; Paris ISD, $25,000; North Lamar, $15,337; Paris Junior College, $10,000; City of Paris, $12,300; Lamar County, $6,449; Paris Regional Health, $44,493; Campbell Soup, $60,000; Kimberly-Clark, $54,172; HWH, $42,275; Turner Industries, $10,000; R.K. Hall Construction, $34,288; Delco Trailers, $10,000; Bahena Construction, $15,000; Quality Care ER, $5,000; and Stephen Gerrald of Edward Jones, $5,000.
Before Wilson dismissed the group, breakfast host Clint Hocutt of CASA for Kids recognized Wilson for her leadership abilities and inspiration to a large round of applause.
“Everybody, let’s just celebrate Ginny for a minute,” Hocutt said. “There are a lot of agency directors in this room and we all know the stress of raising money and making things happen. Ginny does it, and she does it with a smile and with grace. You do a wonderful job for all of the agencies.”
Agencies supported by United Way include The King’s Daughter, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts Circle 10, Lamar County Child Welfare Board, RSVP, Lamar County Literacy Council, Children’s Advocacy Center, REACH Center, Imagination Library, Paris Lamar County Habitat for Humanity, Paris Metro, Downtown Food Pantry, CASA for Kids, Tailored Rides, PCT Children’s Theatre, HomeStay and Keep Paris Beautiful/Make Lamar County Shine.
In addition to supporting the 19 agencies, funding is also used to support the United Way’s rent and utility assistance programs as well as youth and education programs.
To donate, visit www.lamarcountyuw.org or mail a check to the United Way of Lamar County, P.O. Box 1, Paris TX 75461. Donations can also be dropped off at the United Way office located at 2340 Lamar Ave. For more information call 903-784-6642.
