This year, The Gadsden Times featured 2 articles concerning this event.
Please click HERE: Dream come true: Gaston senior gets scholarship after sharing story at United Way meeting.
Please click HERE: United Way honors top contributors, presents awards at 2022 annual meeting.
Community Impact
This year, we were able to feature a speaker who was able to share his story with all of us, Ke’Sean Williams. He is a senior at Gaston High School who has been heavily involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Gadsden/Etowah County, which receives support from United Way of Etowah County. He was joined on stage by the Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Gadsden/Etowah County, Dorothea Rhodes. With his time, he expressed how his life has gone thus far, with Ke'Sean having to face a number of adversities, from the passing of his father at a young age to problems with his mother's health and employment. Ke'Sean has persevered through his good grades, dual enrollment participation, and a part-time job at Old Navy. He is an inspiring young man who is well-spoken and wise beyond his years. Through honoring Ke'Sean at this meeting, he was awarded with a laptop and $1,000 in cash from Fred Zachary of WMGJ Radio. After this presentation, Dr. Kathy Murphy, President of Gadsden State Community College, stood up and announced that Ke'Sean would receive a full two-year scholarship. That was an outstanding display of support for him, and we are so proud to know him and be able to have him speak to all of those in attendance.
(pictured left: Dorothea Rhodes, Boys & Girls Club of Gadsden/Etowah County, pictured right: Fred Zachary, WMGJ Radio)
Awards
Multiple awards were given out during United Way of Etowah County's 2022 Annual Meeting. Current Board President Tripp Collins handed out each award during the program.
Past President’s Gavel Award
This award goes out annually to our most recent Board President, Lesli Bishop. She set the bar very high through her leadership all year long. Thank you Lesli for your service!
Excellence in Service Award
This award is one of our highest campaign honors and goes to a company that runs a consistent model campaign. This year, it was decided to give out 2 awards in this category. There was one for small business, and one for mid-size to large business. The small business award went to King's Olive Oil. The larger business award went to The Chamber (Gadsden/Etowah County). Both of these recipients served as volunteers at United Way and our partner agencies throughout the year. Thank you all for your service!
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Rising Star Award
This award is given to an organization who goes above and beyond in the campaign, City of Rainbow City. They allowed rallies for every department, including hosting late evening rallies to ensure everyone was included, as well as increasing their giving by 370%. Thank you to all from the City of Rainbow City, including Mayor Joe Taylor, for your service!
Volunteer of the Year Award
This award is presented to a person who has served in multiple volunteer roles throughout the year, Jessica Brown. She is the epitome of what it means to live philanthropic through her time spent serving others. Thank you Jessica for your service!
The Tom McKenzie Community Impact Award
This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions, not only to United Way of Etowah County, but also to the community as a whole, Wilbur "Bubba" Masters. He has served on numerous boards and is extremely active in the successful work of area non-profits. He is a well-respected business leader and is seen often providing deep thought and wisdom when dealing with area matters. Thank you Bubba for your service!
The Joanne Hightower Loyalty Contributor Award
This award honors our former Executive Director, Joanne Hightower, and it is in only the second year of recognition. It is given to the couple that is a loyal contributor to the United Way campaign for the greatest number of years, Mr. and Mrs. Darden Bourne. They have been giving to United Way for 54 years. Thank you to the Bournes for their service!
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Financial Stability Award
This award was a special presentation award, brand new to our Annual Meeting. It is given for extraordinary service in ensuring the financial health of our organization to Kevin Phillips, our current Board Treasurer. He frequently combs the finances to ensure the financial stability of all that we do, and he is a welcome voice to our discussions. Thank you Kevin for your service!
Closing
Overall, we had a wonderful time spent with so many members of our community and are so grateful to be able to highlight stories to really show the true impact of our work at United Way of Etowah County, as well as honoring some of those who give very much of their time and intelligence to our united cause. We thank all of those who came to our 2022 Annual Meeting, as well as those who were unable to attend. We look forward to staying in touch with everyone as we approach our upcoming events. Thank you all for your service!
(pictured from left to right: Lishala Carter, Robyn Phillips, Ruth Moffatt, Vanessa Lewis, Linda Hale, James Bradley)