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$60 fill up?!
That hurts us all. Yet, for those working for lower wages, it is devastating. More and more help calls are coming into our office asking for gas cards or assistance with food, utilities, transportation. Families and seniors who make just enough to get by are being crippled by current economic conditions. UWAC exists to support our most vulnerable citizens. As you consider your choices in this challenging time, remember, we all live better when we Live United. |
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Ecumenical Storehouse
Board of Directors, Left to right: Terry Brewer, 1st Baptist; Ide Keeler and Barbara Keeler (Secretary), Unitarian Universalist; Brenda Brewer (President), 1st Baptist; Bill Wilson, 1st Christian; Mary and Paul Lawless, 1st Methodist; Tom and Thelma Douglas (co-treasurer), Kern Methodist; Dot Alford (past President) Grace LUtheran; Ruby Tripp, Kern Methodist. Not pictured: Glenn Young, Chapel on the Hill; Grant Stradley (Vice President), Faith Covenant; Ted Atkinson, 1st Presbyterian; Roger Johnson, St. Stephen's Episcopal; Annie Golson, Unitarian Universalist
Just Imagine |
SCENE I:
Imagine leaving for a twenty mile drive to work on a Monday morning, taking a quick glance back toward the wonderful home you have provided your family. Your children have settled into the local school. You and your spouse work four jobs. You struggle to meet payments on the house, insurance, car, and utilities while keeping food on the table and gas in the car. You have been graced with hand me down furniture and appliances. You have accomplished 'the American Dream.' You are 'self-sufficient."
SCENE II:
A local TV station near your job reports a serious tornado touchdown in the county where you live. No news is good news and, although you are concerned about not reaching your spouse or children's school, you finish your first job before heading home.
SCENE III:
The land near your home is unrecognizable. Due to downed trees, poles, flattened homes, etc. you walk to where there is no longer a home. There is not enough money in the college fund to begin building again.
SCENE IV:
A friend loans you a trailer in which your family can live until the government, community, friends, and you can build anew. But, how will you furnish it?
SCENE>
Through a local service agency, you get a referral to the Ecumenical Storehouse located in Oak Ridge, Anderson County. You get beds and bed linens; living room furniture; dinette table/chairs; pots and pans to cook with; dishes on which to eat; glasses to drink from; flatware to eat with; appliances to store food and wash; bath and kitchen linens; AND a TV; all for free.
SCENE VI:
Resting in your recliner after the children have been tucked into their own beds, you bow to thank God for the eleven churches, hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of United Way and local dollars that make Ecumenical Storehouse possible.
ECUMENICAL STOREHOUSE, INCORPORATED is a non-profit agency that accepts, stores, and distributes household furniture and supporting items to those identified as having a need beyond each family's or individual's ability to provide for self. Located in our new location at 134 E. Division Rd. in Oak Ridge, you are invited to visit our building and observe for yourself where United Way dollars and local donations go toward serving five counties: Anderson, Roane, Morgan, Campbell, and Scott.
For more information, call 481-0274 or visit: Ecumenical Storehouse
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As mentioned last month, UWAC partnered with UT's MBA Innovation & Entrepreneur program and received valuable input on strengthening our ability to positively impact our community. Under the guidance of UT's Faculty Advisor Glenn Swift, UWAC was provided an executable five year plan enabling us to enhance our current relationships, build new and potent relationships, and grow our available resources. This opportunity fit perfectly into our Strategic Plan, Domain 3: Relationship Building & Brand Management. The recommendations from the program include actions we can implement immediately such as identifying how donors would like to receive information regarding UWAC and community partners activities and opportunities for new annual campaigns with local companies with whom we are not currently working. Additionally, the MBA students provided a detailed five year plan for resource expansion. UWAC is implementing many of these recommendations. So, even in economically challenging times, we here at UWAC will strive to grow our resources in support of our most vulnerable citizens. | |
Please share this newsletter with friends interested in improving our community.
Sincerely,
United Way of Anderson County
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Pillar Society Grows
Pillar Society co-chairs Ralph and Belinda Aurin hosted a reception for Society members recently at ORAU's Pollard Auditorium. "There is much to celebrate", said Ralph to the nearly 80 members gathered. "The Society has grown this year. We now have 298 members, with 49 new or returning members joining us this year." Giving from Society members makes up 27% of the total campaign, or $383,174 in 2007's campaign.
"We are so honored, and grateful to you all," Belinda told the audience. "Your willingness to share your blessings with those less fortunate shows you have a generous heart". She went on to mention that while this year the Society grew significantly, more needs to be done. "It's amazing to think that as we enjoy our blessings, we have so many seniors waiting for a hot meal. If you know someone interested in becoming a member of the Pillar Society, call us at 483-8431"
Bob & Carol Smallridge chat with Elaine Beene at reception.
Granite level members of the Pillar Society($2,500 - $5,000 donation) pictured left to right: Ralph & Belinda Aurin, Jennifer Enderson, Elaine Beene, Pat Powell, Clarence Hinton. Members not pictured: Sherry & Bob Browder; Jenks & Dudley Bostic; David & Pat Coffey; Tom Hill & Joan O'Steen; Nicole Porter; Tom Rogers & Mary Brown; Murray & Mimi Rosenthal; Bradley Watson; James Beene; Charles Darling; Rick & Stacy Fergueson; Andrea Zava |
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UWAC welcomes new Board/Committee 
Local community leaders accepted positions as Board members of the United Way of Anderson County (UWAC) as well as on UWAC working committees. In welcoming the new leaders to UWAC, Board President Jim Campbell said, "This is an important junction in our growth and transformation here at UWAC."
Seven new members joined the UWAC Board of Directors: Ray Smith of B&W Y-12; Erich Evered with Cabrera Services; Rev. Boyd Carter of The United Church; Mike Vermeulen of B&W Clinch River; Jimmy Stone with ORNL; Oak Ridge City Mayor Tom Beehan; and Mike Belbeck, CAO of Methodist Medical Center.
In addition to the new Board members, ten community leaders enlisted in UWAC working committees: Roger Kiger of LeConte Wealth Management; Yvonne Bishop of B&W Y-12; Courtney Henry of Wackenhut Oak Ridge Team; Carol Smallridge of Leadership Oak Ridge; Karen Bridgeman of Bridgeman Communications and Graphics; David McCoy of Covenant Health; Kathryn Baldwin with Oak Ridge City; Betsy Prine with H-S Whitson Construction; Katy Jett with Enrichment Federal Union and Misty Williams of Staybridge Suites.
"The depth and breadth of experience of the volunteer leadership joining UWAC is critical," Campbell continued. "As we transition from a traditional umbrella fund raising model to a strategic and focused impact model, UWAC must rely on bright, creative new talent. And this new group of leaders demonstrate just that."
Pictured above: Seated, left to right: Betsy Prine of H-S Whitson Construction; Courtney Henry, Wackenhut Oak Ridge Team; Carol Smallridge with Leadership Oak Ridge; and Kathryn Baldwin with oak Ridge City. Standing left to right: Mike Vermeulen with B&W Clinch River; Mike Belbeck, CAO of Methodist Medical Center; Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan; Roger Kiger of LeConte Wealth Management; Rev. Boyd Carter, The United Church; Karen Bridgeman of Bridgeman Communications and Graphics; Misty Williams with Staybridge Suites; Katy Jett of Enrichment Federal Credit Union; ray Smith with B&W Y-12; Jimmy Stone from ORNL and Yvonne Bishop with B&W Y-12. Not in photo: Erich Evered with Cabrera Services and David McCoy of Covenant Health | |
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UWAC Annual Meeting
May 22 7:45 a.m.-9 a.m. |
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UWAC will host its annual meeting on Thursday, May 22 from 7:45 - 9 a.m. at the Flatwater Conference Center. Breakfast will be provided and the event is sponsored by Tetra Tech.
Our Guest Speaker is Motvational Humorist Jack McCall. His insights are penetrating and his style is refreshingly entertaining. Jack's skill for getting to the heart of the matter is uncanny. His humor is crisp and clean and his audiences leave feeling grateful and inspired.
Please RSVP to 483-8431 by May 16th if you wish to attend. Seating is limited. |
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