Zach Glenn, Meteorologyst with KETK, encourages local contributors to "keep the faith" and
remember the many good things that United Way does in the local community.
Glenn Focuses on Local Good For
Community at United Way Luncheon
by: Bobby McDonald
Representatives of the companies and organizations that topped the "charity list" in the 20008-09 United Way Campaign were treated to a luncheon at The Lodge, sponsored by Alliance Bank, as this year's campaign officially got underway, on Tuesday. John Sellers, 2008-09 Campaign Chairman and 2009-10 President, welcomed guests and contributors, then introduced this year's Campaign Chairman, Deborah Evans.
Sellers denoted that this year's campaign was the 55th year for what began at the Chuck Wagon Cafe on Church Street in 1955, as the United Fund, to help a number of charitable organizations function within Hopkins County.
John Sellers, who served as 2008-09 Campaign Chairman, is serving as President
of United Way, this year, and welcomed guest and contributors to this year's luncheon, Tuesday.
Cited for their large donations to last year's campaign were: Flowserve, Grocery Supply Company, Hanna Construction, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Sulphur Springs ISD, Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, Alliance Bank, Luminant Energy, City National Bank, Jeld-Wen, UPS, Sulta Manufacturing, City of Sulphur Springs, Clayton Homes, and Lowe's.
Evans addressed the group with a plea for everyone's continued support in this year's campaign. "With tougher economic times, it is even more imperative that everyone continue to support the United Way," expressed Evans. "The agencies that we support are depending on us even more to aid in helping those less fortunate!"
"Just to name a few of the great strides that this campaign supports, The Community Chest helped 5800 families last year," continued Evans. "The Hopkins County Christian Alliance served 1027 families monthly, and the Meal-A-Day cooked and served 29, 630 meals to the elderly in this county in the past year."
Sellers receives another check for last year's campaign from Luminant Energy, who matched their
employee contributions.
Deborah Evans announced the theme of this year's campaign as "Together We Can!" And, encouraged workers to remain constant in making a difference in this community, through their donations.
"We've worked to keep this year's goal at $150,000.00, the same as last year," denoted Evans. "We know that there is an economic downturn out there and are working to stay within our budget and make the funds stretch as far as possible!"
"Please continue your support, to help others," pleaded Evans.
Deborah Evans, a longtime worker with United Way, will serve as this year's Campaign Chairman,
and addressed the contributors to continue their support for those who are less fortunate in this community.
Sellers then introduced keynote speaker and Hopkins County native, Zach Glenn, a meteorologist for television station KETK. Glenn took the microphone and outlined his job as a "weather forecaster" and paralleled it to the uncertainties in life. "I'm really fortunate," quipped Glenn. "I can be wrong and still get a pay check!"
"But I must get up at 3:30 every morning, continue to move forward and be on the air by 5:00, to hopefully help others determine what the day will be like," stated Glenn. "You as those responsible and leaders in this community must continue your support of those less fortunate, to keep things moving in this community. You will determine how the day is for thousands of others, who depend on the funds raised in this campaign!"
Glenn then told a story about a little boy who wrote a letter to God, asking for $100.00. The postal service thought it was a cute letter and sent it to the President of the U.S. Well, the President thought enough of the letter, that he sent the young man a $5.00 check. Upon receiving the check, the young man promptly wrote God a thank you note and stated, "Thank you for your $100.00 contribution, but just like always it went through Washington D.C. and they deducted $95.00 of it!"
Glenn gave a personalized weather forecast for Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County and ended his presentation with a "forecast" that the Hopkins County United Way would "be over the top, in the 2009-10 Campaign!"
Thursday, the United Way Campaign will host their Workers Luncheon, at the Southwest Dairy Museum, at noon, for the many, many volunteers that collect funds through the distribution of business packets.
Give the United Way!!!
The beautiful weather and the peaceful setting of The Lodge was the ideal place to reflect on the many, many blessings
that we enjoy here in Hopkins County and to make certain that those in need are taken care of.
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