Published: November 10, 2008 04:16 pm         

United Way raises $341,550 this year

Local organizations who helped raise funds for the United Way Campaign, were honored yesterday afternoon at the Cooke County United Way 2009 Campaign Celebration Luncheon in the Gainesville Civic Center.

This year’s theme was “A Home Run Hit,” which seemed appropriate considering Cooke County United Way has achieved 99 percent of its campaign goals.

Thanks to the support from local organizations, Kathy Boone, campaign chair and award presenter for the event, said Cooke County United Way has raised $341, 550 which is only $3,450 away from this year’s goal.

According to the official website, “United Way is a national network of nearly 1,300 local organizations that work to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. Local United Ways create long-lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of the most significant local issues. Common focus areas include helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health.”

The first batch of awards Boone presented were the Pacesetters Awards or “the lead-off batters.”

They include they following businesses: Alan Ritchey, Inc., Callisburg I.S.D., City of Gainesville, First State Bank, Gainesville I.S.D., Muenster State Bank, Nortex Communications, NCTC, North Texas Medical Center, Petroflex/Advanced Pedestal and Wal-Mart Supercenter.

To go along with “A Home Run Hit” theme, representatives to accept the awards were welcomed to the stage by their own United Way cheering squad, clad in sports regalia and holding signs. The high energy squad included Brenda Hardcastle, Jim Colbert, Trice Henry and Angie Hare.

For the Arley Daurity Award, the following organizations were honored: Connectra Fusion Technologies, First State Bank, Gainesville Edison Elementary, Gainesville Lee Intermediate and Gainesville W.E. Chalmers.

Presidential Award recipients included Allied Production Solutions and Callisburg Elementary School and recipients for the Community Excellence Award included Callisburg Secondary School, Cooke County Electric Cooperative, First State Bank, North Texas Medical Center and Petroflex.

Gold Award winners were Advanced Pedestal, Callisburg Elementary School and Connectra Fusion Technologies. Silver Award winner was NCTC and Bronze Award winner was Lindsay I.S.D.

The Community Partner Award was given to Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM) members composed of local health care professionals and providers, including Rhonda Beam with Gainesville Health & Rehabilitation Center, Daloris Burkhart with Green Meadows Assisted Living and Barbara Hoover with Kiowa Hometown Pharmacy. The Gainesville Daily Register, The Weekly News of Cooke County and Hometown Radio KGAF were also presented the award.

Wilhite Land Surveying, Inc. received the Chisholm Trail Leadership award and Weber Aircraft was recognized with a Community Impact Award for the $37,500 it gave this year. This year’s contribution by Weber Aircraft increased over $16,000 from last year, reported Boone.

The final group of awards to be giving were for the Small Business Award. The Small Business award was given to local businesses who participated in the campaign with fewer than 25 employees. Recipients included Abigail’s Arms CCFCC, American Bank of Texas, CASA of North Texas, Cooke County Boys & Girls Club, Dustin Office Machines, Frost Bank, Heard & Thomas-Edward Jones, Home Hospice of Cooke County, Landmark Bank, Muenster State Bank, Nascoga Federal Credit Union, Prosperity Bank, Texoma Area Agency on Aging and Wilhite Land Surveying, Inc.

After the awards were presented both Boone and Angie Hare expressed their gratitude to everyone who helped participate in the campaign.

“We’re so proud to have raised 99 percent of our goal this year,” said Boone. “We know this has been a very difficult year with the economy, so we want to say thank you for making this happen.”

TEAM members, all dressed in costume, also spoke to the audience about the Second Annual Celebrity Celebration to take place on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. in the State Theater, 200 E. California. Tickets are $20 per person and all proceeds will benefit Cooke County United Way. Entertainment for the evening will include performances by local residents dressed as Dolly Parton, James Brown, Sunny and Cher and many more.

To purchase tickets for the even, please contact Glenda White at 665-2831 or e-mail glenda@gainesville.net. For more information about United Way and how you can volunteer, please visit www.liveunited.org or call 665-1793.