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United Way Campaign Comes Up Just Short
But there's still time for you to donate
KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS
KINGSPORT - The United Way of Greater Kingsport came up a little short of its fundraising goal this year, bringing in nearly $3.3 million in cash and pledges as of Tuesday. However, the United Way is still accepting donations for this year's campaign, and officials are hopeful they'll hit the $3.6 million goal by the end of December.
"To be able to raise almost $3.3 million in these challenging economic times in our community, with everything that's going on in the world, we feel very blessed," said Danelle Glasscock, executive director of the UWGK.
"We appreciate all of the donors who dug deep to make this happen for us."
The UWGK supports 30 nonprofit member agencies in our community, 44 programs and four major community impact initiatives: United We Read, Life Bridge, Appalachian Miles for Smiles and a new drug abuse task force.
Each year the UWGK holds its annual fundraising campaign, beginning in August and running through November. Twenty-five to 30 percent of the funds raised go to other regional United Way organizations and community chests.
During a luncheon at the V.O. Dobbins Community Center on Tuesday, campaign officials announced the amount of money raised.
Campaign Goal
Keith Parker, vice chair of this year's campaign, said the UWGK had raised $3.29 million or 91 percent of its goal. Including $208,502 worth of in-kind contributions, the total amount was roughly $3.5 million or 97 percent of the agency's goal.
Glasscock said this was the toughest fundraising year she's seen since coming to the UWGK in 2010.
"We hope to be able to continue to evaluate our agencies on the great outcomes they're performing and continue to provide the same level of support we have in the past," Glasscock said. "Fundraising is going down, not only in our community, but in our nation. So I think it'll continue to be challenging to raise dollars, not just for us but also for member agencies. We really need the community to continue to step up and learn that it's better to give than to receive."
What UWGK fights for
Dollars raised by the United Way stay in the greater Kingsport area. When you contribute, you're helping to improve the lives of 1,400 people every day, including 700 children and youth; 100 seeking jobs, skills and shelter; 300 finding health, safety and stability; and 300 seniors staying in their homes.
"These are people living in poverty, people not having access to health care. Those are problems that the United Way is devoted to solving with each and every one of you," said Mandi Cambre, resource development and communications director at the UWGK. "We know we can solve those problems by coming together as a community."
United Way officials are asking you for help in reaching the $3.6 million goal.
Contributions can be made by texting UWAYKPT to 91999 or mailing a check to the UWGK (301 Louis St. Suite 201, Kingsport, TN 37660). Inquiries may be made by going to www.uwaykpt.org or by calling (423) 378-3409, ext. 16.
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Do you have a volunteer spirit?
Do you
wa
nt to l
earn more about
United Way of
Greater Kingsport and our Member Agencies?
Do you possess or want to strengthen your leadership skills?
United Way of Greater Kingsport Wants YOU to participate in the 2018 Citizen Review!
Gain worthwhile insight into United Way of Greater Kingsport's Member Agencies and the funding process. Attend one brief training session and one to two days of Agency visits in March.
call 423-378-3409 ext. 13 by January 26, 2018 to sign up!
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The United Way of Bristol TN/VA and the United Way of Greater Kingsport have partnered with Eastman Credit Union to launch online volunteer platforms in their communities. These online portals will allow community members to easily connect with quality volunteer opportunities in their communities through their desktop computers, mobile phones, or tablets.
The United Way of Bristol TN/VA's site is called Get Connected and the United Way of Greater Kingsport's site is called Volunteer Kingsport. Both sites offer visitors opportunities to find volunteer opportunities in a variety of ways. Visitors can filter results with search criteria such as "distance," "family friendly," and "outdoors." They can also view a monthly calendar of events or search for a favorite organization. The site also allows visitors to "fan" nonprofits so they are updated on the latest volunteer opportunities with that agency. Other benefits to the site include the ability to create a "volunteer resume" and arrange group volunteer outings with family, friends, or coworkers.
Volunteers are an important part of how United Way impacts needs in our community.
Eastman Credit Union has stepped up to sponsor the volunteer platform with a grant of $10,000. The sites represent a major collaborative endeavor, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the community through knowledge, cooperation, service and support by
showcasing volunteer opportunities for local nonprofits through a searchable database.
"United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. We win by improving over 1400 lives every single day. We cannot do this work without the power of the community coming together to support the work of nonprofit organizations," said Becca Sutphen, UWGK Community Impact Director. "In launching these volunteer platforms, we hope to give every person in our community and across the region an easy opportunity to access and experience the great work being done to serve our community every day. Volunteer Kingsport allows anyone to easily find a volunteer opportunity, sign up, and experience the tremendous impact of giving back."
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In response to the opioid epidemic sweeping the nation and deeply impacting Sullivan County, the United Way of Greater Kingsport (UWGK) has mobilized a Drug Abuse Task Force. This Task Force, comprised of community experts and non-profits organizations, has been in operation since August 2016 and is focusing action in the areas of
education
,
prevention
, and
intervention
.
The Drug Abuse Task Force has three goals: decrease in the number of deaths due to drug-related overdose, decrease in the rate of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS, a term for a group of problems a baby experiences when withdrawing from exposure to narcotics), and decrease in drug-related crimes. These goals are important since the number of drug overdose deaths is higher than the number of motor vehicle deaths in Sullivan county. (2015, 35 deaths). Additionally, Sullivan County has the highest rate of babies born diagnosed with NAS in the state of Tennessee (76 babies/ 1500) and among the highest in the country. Earlier this year, the Drug Abuse Task Force proposed a $20,000 grant to the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition (SCAD), so SCAD would be able to leverage these funds and receive matching dollars from the State Targeted Response Grant. This resulted in $138,000 coming to the 8 counties in NETN in the form of a regional opioid prevention specialist, naloxone supplies, and training.
Because of our research into Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care, we know how essential the role of education is in this epidemic. Children and teenagers must be taught resilience early and offered alternatives to drug abuse in their formative years if we hope to head off a worsening of this epidemic. To this end, we found a program that can be presented at schools from a father, who lost his son to an opioid overdose. Wayne Campbell's family lived in a small town in Ohio, which is considered the epicenter of this epidemic. After his son Tyler's death, families in Wayne's community joined together and began" Tyler's Light." Wayne has since traveled to over 250 schools around the country sharing the message of "Speak Up! Save a Life!". The Tyler's Light program was presented at Dobyns-Bennet last month, and, in alignment with the "education" arm of our Drug Abuse Task Force vision. UWGK wants to bring this powerful message to the surrounding county high schoolers and middle schoolers.
Tyler's Light reaches teenagers effectively by putting a face, name and story to some of the opioid's victims. Tyler's Light's mission is to equip our community and our nation with information and resources to help people choose a drug-free life, while providing resources to family members and/or friends involved in the battle against drug addiction.
On November 13th, from 6pm-8pm, UWGK hosted a community conversation about substance abuse. This event was free and open to the public. We invited teachers, parents/caregivers, community members and city officials to attend. There was a brief overview of the Tyler's Light program followed by a panel discussion. Barry Staubus, Second Judicial District Attorney General served on the panel as well as pediatrician, Dr. Nicole Miller and Chad Duncan from Frontier Health and Becky Haas with the Johnson City Police Department.
On November 14th and 15th, Tyler's Light was presented to Sullivan Gardens and Colonial Heights seventh and eighth grade students, as well as Sullivan South high school students.
Three other community forums are planned for the North, Central, and East areas in the March/April timeframe. The Tyler's Light program will also be shown to the area students during that time. In total, over 4,500 county students will be reached with the important message of "Speak Up! Save a Life!".
This event has been made possible due to the tremendous support of the following organizations including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Sullivan South Athletic Booster Club, Sullivan South Community Chest, Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Association and United Way of Greater Kingsport. To find out how you can get involved, please contact Becca Sutphen at 423-378-3409 x13 or [email protected] .
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Snow Date:
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Location: The Social
Look for your
invitation
in the mail
Contact Lori Miller
for more information
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Location: Douglass Room
Time: 11:30 am -1:00 pm
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or
Text "UWAYKPT" to 91999 to join the fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community!
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United Way of Greater Kingsport Campaign at 97.23% of Goal
United We Fight, United We Win! The 2017 United Way of Greater Kingsport Fundraising Campaign currently sits at 97.23% of dollars raised, or $3.5 million raised of our $3.6 million goal.
The Top Giving Companies named at the 2017 Campaign Celebration included:
Eastman
Eastman Credit Union
Domtar
TEC Industrial
Jacobs
Wellmont
Frontier Health
City of Kingsport
Bank of Tennessee
Kingsport City Schools
Indian Path
Citizens Bank
Hunter Smith & Davis
Brock
First Tennessee Bank
Appalachian Power
Wilson Worley
Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
HomeTrust Bank
BAE
KHRA
Enterprise Rent a Car
Blackburn Childers & Stegall
Company Campaign Awards included: Citizens Bank, Domtar, Eastman, Eastman Credit Union, HomeTrust Bank, Hunter Smith & Davis, and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce at the Platinum Level, First Tennessee Bank at the Gold Level, Edwards Tipton Witt Agency, KHRA, and Wilson Worley at the Silver Level, and Appalachian Power,
Blackburn Childers & Steagall,
City of Kingsport, Domtar Converting, Holston Valley/Wellmont Health, Jacobs, Regions Bank, and TEC Industrial at the Bronze Level.
Agency Campaign Awards included: United Way of Greater Kingsport at the Platinum Level, American Red Cross, and Girls Inc. at the Gold Level, Friends in Need at the Silver Level, and Boys & Girls Club, CASA, Frontier Health, John R. Hay House, Literacy Council, and Small Miracles at the Bronze Level.
During Celebration, Campaign Chair, Bill Trapp, thanked the Campaign Cabinet, the Regional Kickoff Planning Team, and the Communications Committee.
He also recognized Matthew Carroll for his contribution of the Campaign video and Holston Valley Broadcasting. and Kingsport Publishing for their generous in kind donations.
A gift to United Way of Greater Kingsport is a gift in support of improving 1400 lives every single day. UWGK supports 30 member agencies and their 44 corresponding programs, four major community impact initiatives, numerous partnership grants, and other United Ways and community chests in our region.
Together, we can accomplish more than any single group. The needs in our community are great - as are the opportunities to address them. To succeed in creating positive, sustainable community change, we must be United in our vision of a better life for all. The dollars raised stay here in our community, improving the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors. Your contribution drives and inspires community change.
When you support United Way, you are making an investment in a better tomorrow.
Will you join the fight? We encourage you to continue investing in your community today by making your pledge. For questions about how you can GIVE ADVOCATE VOLUNTEER on behalf of the United Way, please contact our office at 423-378-3409.
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Job Opening for Resource Development and
Communications Director
United Way of Greater Kingsport is seeking a team member who has proven community leadership with the ability to exercise strategic communication management skills in order to mobilize companies and individuals to give, advocate, and volunteer; to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with volunteers, companies and individuals aimed at increasing UWGK's presence and impact within the community.
For more information please visit our website at:
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