Staff Report
Gainesville Daily Register
Cooke County —
Cooke County United Way (CCUW) officials reported Friday that the organization’s fundraising goal of $398,000 is approximately 97 percent complete.
“We are still anxiously awaiting those final donations that will push us over the edge and allow us to effectively support the 18 United Way agencies that do such important work in our community,” said Laura Otts, CCUW chair.
CCUW Executive Director Angie Hare said members of her organization have many reasons to be thankful.
“We celebrate the $5 contribution as well as the $500 gift for we know it came from the heart,” Hare said Thursday. “All of our fantastic volunteers who have worked so hard for over two months making donor contacts, follow-ups and turning in the pledges and contributions; and thankful that our good works are for such great and caring partner agencies who provide programs and services from cradle to grave.”
Hare added that CCUW appears to be the only countywide endeavor that brings individuals and businesses together for the purpose of neighbors helping neighbors.
“I have been told by our chamber of commerce that several businesses who inquire about a possible move to our area ask if there is a local United Way, and if they make their goal,” Hare said. “I can proudly say that we exceed our goal every year. The fact that the community pulls together and makes their goal is a positive and encouraging statement to businesses on the outside looking in as it is a testament of the community.”
The organization will hold its celebration luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday at the Gainesville Civic Center.
The Cooke County United Way partnering agencies include Abigail’s Arms of Cooke County, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Club, Boys Baseball of Cooke County, CASA of North Texas, Cooke County Youth Fair, Girl Scouts, Home Hospice of Cooke County, Meals on Wheels, Muenster Youth Council, North Texas Youth Connection, PRIDE Substance Abuse Council, Reading & Radio Resource, SW Diabetic Foundation/Camp Sweeney, Texoma Area Paratransit/TAPS, Texoma Sr. Citizen/Area Agency on Aging and VISTO.
For more information regarding United Way and/or its agencies, call (940) 665-1793 or e-mail info@cookeuw.org.
