United Way

United Way Works To Strengthen The Community

United Way of Greene County exists to back neighbors helping neighbors to strengthen the community.

Since 1958, the local organization has conducted an annual fundraiser to back local human services with the goals of supporting education, improving health, providing basic needs and sustaining income. Assisted Its contributors, volunteers and staff are local. Its partner agencies serve this community, and its benefi ciaries are local. In recent years, annual campaigns have well exceeded Living $400,000 dollars, with 99% of the money staying in the county. The agency’s annual report fi lings show direct benefi ts to approximately 30,000 people yearly, with additionGuide al, indirect benefi ts within the entire community. Only one penny of every dollar goes outside Greene County to pay state and national United Way organization dues.

COMMUNITYWIDE IMPACT

Every year, thousands of tax dollars are saved because of the services provided by the partner agencies and programs funded through the local United Way. United Way member agencies include: Sequoyah Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County, Children’s Center Scholarship Program, CASA of Northeast Tennessee, Family Resource Center (Greene County Schools), Family Support Center (Greeneville City Schools), Girl Scout Council for Southern Appalachians, American Red Cross, Greene County Community Ministries/Food Bank, Opportunity House, Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad, Child Advocacy Center, Greene County Cancer Program, Frontier Health — Nolichuckey/Holston Valley Mental Health Center, Mountain Region Speech and Hearing, YMCA Member and Camp Scholarships, CHIPS Family Violence Shelter, CONTACT Ministries, Personal Support Services, Foster Grandparent Program and Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Greeneville. 324 Mt. Bethel Rd. United Way volunteers and United Way-funded proGreeneville, TN 37745 grams are able to accomplish many service goals through(423) 787-1711 morningpointe.com out the year with the contributions raised during the annual campaign. Affordable child care, job training, youth development, literacy courses and the Food Bank are but a sample of

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN/THE GREENEVILLE SUN some of the programs and activities that occur via the United Way of Greene County. Some specifi c programs United Way funds through grants include: First Responder Rehabilitation Services through Debusk Volunteer Fire Department; Stan Ritter

Fund for emergency needs through Greene County Schools

Family Resource Center; weekly hot meals through

Tabernacle Mission Soup Kitchen; and Magic School Bus through Greene LEAF. In 2020, United way provided direct service to the community, including their partnership with Greeneville

Light & Power Systems and the TVA to provide utility assistance for residents whose income was affected by the pandemic; distribution of $10,000 in Food City gift certifi cates to families with school children; rental assistance in partnership with Upper East Tennessee Human

Development Agency; and purchased 260 devices in the amount of $60,000 for Greene County school students for virtual education.

VALUE OF UNITED WAY

A number of criteria must be met before an organization is considered to receive United Way funding, including non-profi t organization status, fi nancial audits and more. This process allows United Way to be a “watchdog” over other agency programs and fi scal issues, adding another layer of accountability for patrons. Because the review process is so stringent, being a United Way member agency makes it easier for the agencies to apply for and receive grants that may be available from other sources. The United Way of Greene County also works to assess emerging needs and programs to ensure residents have access to needed services and resources. The United Way offi ce is located at 115 Academy St.,

Greeneville, TN 37743. Wendy Peay is the executive director. For more information, call 639-9361 or visit www. unitedwayofgreenecounty.org and www.unitedway.org.

From left, Tammy L. Kinser, Greene County market president with Apex Bank, William Brown, owner of Greeneville Real Estate and Auction Team, Brad Tullock with Greeneville Real Estate and Auction Team and Wendy Peay, United Way of Greene County director, participate in a presentation of proceeds.