Oak Ridge Today

Asher named executive director of United Way of Anderson County

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Naomi Asher

Naomi Asher

Naomi Asher has been selected as the next executive director of the United Way of Anderson County. She starts Monday, May 4.

Asher was picked for the position by the United Way of Anderson County Board of Directors.

“Ms. Asher has the unique set of experiences the Search Committee was looking for in candidates,” said Tom Hilton, incoming president of the United Way Board of Directors. “She knows the community and can hit the ground running on May 4.”

The organization conducted a national search.

“We advertised the position nationwide and were very pleased that we found the perfect match for the organization in our own backyard,” said Greta Ownby, outgoing president of the United Way Board of Directors. [Read more…]

ORNL Federal Credit Union raises $65K for United Way

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ORNL FCU Donation to United Way

Pictured above from left to right are Chris Outland (ORNL FCU title services manager), Lydia Birk (2014 UWAC campaign chair), Ben Jones (ORNL FCU Maryville Branch manager), and Bethany Rush (branch floater). (Photo courtesy United Way)

 

ORNL Federal Credit Union raised $64,861 for the United Way of Anderson County’s annual giving campaign, bringing the total for the last two years to more than $131,000, a press release said.

“At ORNL Federal Credit Union, we are committed to making a difference by giving back and helping to improve the quality of life for others in our communities,” said Colin Anderson, ORNL FCU executive vice president and chief financial officer. “An investment in the United Way is an investment in our community.”

Donations to UWAC are an investment in the community, a United Way press release said. [Read more…]

Guest column: Investments—who do you trust?

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Lydia Birk

Lydia Birk

By Lydia Birk

The air waves are filled with commercials regarding which investment firm you should rely on; after all, you want to eventually retire and live comfortably and healthy and maintain your lifestyle. Yet, how much do you personally know about investing: the timing, the company’s track records, transparency, can they be trusted? There is an overload of information spinning around, and for many of us, it is confusing and time-consuming, so we trust our investments to the professionals.

Those of you who donate to the United Way of Anderson County and check the box to have Fund Distribution Volunteers make investment decisions are doing the same thing. Trusting educated, informed, committed people to invest your dollars where they will do the most good. In Anderson County, we have a multitude of programs that serve the needs of youth through food programs, backpack programs, after-school programs, preschool programs, utility assistance so they don’t shiver at night, programs to inspire, to encourage, to challenge. And programs that address the mental and physical health of our youth. Which of these programs are most effective, which ones address the most pressing issues, which ones are transparent in managing your gifts, do you chose to put a roof over their heads or food in their bellies? [Read more…]

Centrus raises more than $16,000 for United Way

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Centrus Donates to United Way

Pictured above are Lou Ann Lawson, Faye Grantham, Amanda Smith, Lydia Birk (2014 United Way Campaign Chair), Larry Cutlip, Cindy Light, and Gayla Hunter. United Way Committee members not present are Jamie Poland and Lana DiFiore. (Submitted photo)

 

Centrus Energy Corporation, formerly known as USEC, recently announced that they raised more than $16,000 in their 2014 United Way of Anderson County campaign. That’s a 10 percent increase compared to 2013, a press release said.

The release said the increase is vitally important for United Way of Anderson County, helping it recover from the last two years, which have been difficult.

“We are delighted that we are part of the solution,” said Larry Cutlip, a Centrus deputy director. “We know our community has struggled the last two years due to changes in federal funding, so our growth is exciting.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools staff, students donate almost $14K to United Way

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Oak Ridge Schools and United Way Mike Haygood

Picture above, from left to right are Jefferson Middle School Principal Phil Cox; Rick Morrow, executive director of United Way of Anderson County; JMS Assistant Principal Mike Haygood; and Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Schools staff and students once again stepped up in a big way and donated nearly $14,000 to the United Way of Anderson County’s 2014 campaign, a press release said.

All donors were eligible to win a “Week End Getaway” donated by Tim and Becky Hooks, and this year’s winner was Mike Haygood, assistant principal at Jefferson Middle School.

The press release said the donated funds will go to support 32 agencies and 50 different programs that provide services here in Anderson County. Donations like these helped provide 149 families the supplies to grow their own garden this year, and each garden is expected to produce more than $450 of fresh food. That is more than $67,000 of fresh produce created from the $4,000 invested by UWAC donors.

For more information about UWAC services and to donate to provide this type of assistance to our neighbors, visit www.uwayac.org or call the United Way at (865) 483-8431.

Walmart, United Way, ADFAC team up to collect school supplies

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Walmart and United Way Fill the Bus

Pictured above, from left to right, are Brian Ferguson, First Student dispatcher; Maria Cacheiro; Marcus Cacheiro; Mateo Cacheiro; Diane Gibson, First Student location manager; Becky Hook, ADFAC school supply coordinator; Loraine Brown, Walmart front end zone manager; Liz Herbes, ADFAC social services program director; Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC executive director; and Rick Morrow, United Way of Anderson County executive director. (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

 

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“Fill The Bus,” an initiative led by Walmart and United Way of Anderson County Inc., helped provide much-needed school supplies to the ADFAC School Supplies Program. ADFAC (Aid To Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc.) provides grade and school specific supplies to an expected 2,500 K-12 students throughout Anderson County. Walmart stores in Clinton and Oak Ridge participated as collection sites for donations.

During the week of July 26-August 4, at both entrances of the Walmart stores, customers were invited to donate school supplies. The concept was that, as customers were purchasing supplies for their own children or grandchildren, they could purchase a few extra for the ADFAC School Supplies Program.

During Tennessee’s sales tax holiday, August 1-3, Walmart in Oak Ridge invited First Student Inc.-Oak Ridge Schools to provide a “real” bus to be parked outside the store to help publicize and raise visibility for the campaign. First Student Inc.-Oak Ridge Schools also provided assistance in transporting the supplies from the donation boxes to the bus and to the storage facility. Several ADFAC staff and volunteers also assisted with the transferring of supplies. [Read more…]

United Way raises $1.17 million, about 90 percent of ‘bold’ goal

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Greta Ownby and Edwena Crowe

UWAC Board President, Greta Ownby, left, announces Edwena Crowe, right, as Volunteer of the Year. (Submitted photos)

The campaign was complicated by the partial government shutdown in October, but the United Way of Anderson County raised close to $1.2 million this year, or about 90 percent of its goal.

The results were announced at an annual meeting and campaign announcement at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The campaign goal, which was described as “bold,” had been $1.3 million. The total amount raised was $1,172,742. The United Way said this will allow for stable funding for its agency programs.

“Unfortunately, we will not be able to increase funding to our community partners,” UWAC Executive Director Rick Morrow said. “Last year’s total resulted in a reduction of $200,000 to the funding pool, and this year’s total will only allow for continued funding at that level.” [Read more…]

United Way of Anderson County’s annual meeting on Thursday

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United Way of Anderson County Meeting Invite

Reservations due Monday

The United Way of Anderson County will have its annual meeting on Thursday morning at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

Reservations are due Monday, April 14.

A light breakfast will be available at the annual meeting, which is scheduled from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Thursday.

“The community is invited to attend the annual meeting and campaign announcement,” a press release said. “It is a time for UWAC to share with donors the lasting change their contributions make in Anderson County and an opportunity to thank and recognize the volunteers that lead the effort. [Read more…]

Myrick receives 2013 Interagency Coalition Starfish Award

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Tim Myrick and Starfish Award

Tim Myrick, center, recently received the Anderson County Interagency Coalition Starfish Award. Also pictured above are Rick Morrow, left, and Bear Stephenson. (Submitted photo)

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When Tim Myrick arrived at the Anderson County Interagency Coalition Starfish celebration, he was not surprised to see several members of the Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties board of directors and Executive Director Annie Cacherio. Myrick was a member of the ADFAC board of directors for 12 years and remains involved with the organization. It seemed normal that he was invited to join the others to receive the Starfish award from the ACIC, or so Myrick thought!

As soon as William “Bear” Stephenson began reading the arm-long list of outstanding contributions made by the honoree to the Anderson County community through service to various organizations and programs, Myrick immediately realized that he was the honoree.

Everyone in the room, including Myrick, was choked up when he went to the podium to receive the award from Stephenson. Teresa Myrick then went to the podium and graciously thanked everyone for the award on her husband’s behalf. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools students, staff increase United Way donations by more than 25 percent

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Oak Ridge Schools Donate to United Way

Michael Mott, second from left, was the winner of the grand prize of a weekend getaway donated by United Way of Anderson County Loaned Executive Becky Hook, a retired Oak Ridge teacher. Mott is pictured above with Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers, right, and Principal Bruce Lay, left, and Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director. (Submitted photo)

Students and staff in the Oak Ridge School system increased their contributions to this year’s United Way of Anderson County campaign by more than 25 percent, an official said.

“We are excited to be able to give back to our community,” said Bruce Borchers, Oak Ridge School superintendent. “This is a great community to be part of.”

“To see an increase during these very challenging times really means a lot,” said Rick Morrow, UWAC executive director. [Read more…]

Anderson County will receive close to $30,000 in emergency food, shelter funding

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Anderson County will receive $29,369 in federal funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county, a press release said.

The money has been awarded under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

A local board consisting of representatives from the United Way of Anderson County and other local nonprofit and governmental agencies will determine how the funds will be awarded to emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in Anderson County. [Read more…]

United Way Golf Tournament needs your support

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United Way Golf Tournament Winners

Winners of the 2012 United Way Golf Tournament pictured above are Doug Guinn, Keith Newport, Tom White, and Jody Waddell. (Submitted photo)

The United Way of Anderson County will host its annual golf tournament on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Oak Ridge Country Club.

“Proceeds from this tournament directly support UWAC’s 34 partner agencies,” said David Wilson, tournament chairman. “Every sponsorship and every team registration is so important and so appreciated.”

This year, the tournament will feature two divisions. The Pro Division will offer platinum, gold, and silver sponsors a local club pro to play as their fourth in a modified scramble. The Champions Division will have four players with a team handicap. Prizes will be awarded to the top two teams in each division. [Read more…]