Victory! United Way Blount surpasses goal

United Way of Blount County held its Victory Celebration for the 2006 fundraising campaign today with a luncheon at First United Methodist Church of Maryville. More than 225 people attended the celebration. Special entertainment was provided by the Maryville High School Band under the direction of Tom Delozier.

Campaign Chair, Mike Lewis, announced that $2,023,849 had been raised to date, which is 101.2% of the $2,000,000 goal.
"I want to thank everyone in the community who has worked so hard on this campaign. United Way is the largest community-minded effort that is around" stated Lewis. Additional pledges are expected to come in over the next few weeks. Lewis also recognized the media, Meeting Sponsors, United Way partner agencies, the Loaned Executives, chaired by Lea Anne Law, and other campaign volunteers.

Divisions reported at the luncheon included:

• Major Firms, Tony Thompson, chair, $931,365– 100.4% of goal;
  
• Commerce, Kevin Painter, chair, $281,602 – 101.7% of goal;
  
• Industry/Building Trades, Scott Justice, chair, $189,935 – 100 % of goal;
  
• General Business, David Conner, chair, $139,218 – 106.8% of goal;
  
• Public Service, Tom Hatcher, chair, $211,463 – 104.8% of goal;
  
• Professional, Joe Ingram, chair, $110,337 – 101.7% of goal;
  
• Special Gifts/Residential, Brenda Pilson, chair, $145,353 – 106% of goal.
  
• The Pillars Society, co-chaired by Denny and Cindy Mayes, raised $651,664 with 344 members. Also included in that number is The Alexis de Tocqueville Society, chaired by Kevin Clayton. Clayton reported 18 members each giving $10,000 or more. The Pillars Society and The Alexis de Tocqueville Society monies filter through all campaign divisions.

Other campaign cabinet members were also recognized including: Brickey Beasley, Bill Seymour, Dave Bennett, Chief Larry Graves, Lea Anne Law, Tammi Ford and Melissa Copelan.

In closing, Lewis thanked everyone for their support of United Way.

"It has been a real pleasure to work with all the organizations and companies, the staff, the campaign cabinet and the partner agencies" stated Lewis. "We were successful in our mission and we are proud to be at $2 million."

The United Way of Blount County is meeting basic needs and creating lasting change – because that’s what matters.