United Way Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Final days for Volunteer Tax Center

Posted at 2:28 pm April 12, 2019
By DIANE EDWARDS Leave a Comment

April 15 is just around the corner, and the IRS VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Center is ready for the final rush. Volunteers at the Tax Center have submitted 1372 during February and March with a total of $1,650,441.00 refunded to citizens of Anderson, Roane, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, and surrounding counties, a press release said. The Center can process 160-180 returns each week.

The VITA program is designed to assist senior citizens and low-to-medium income individuals and families. There is no charge for this service. The VITA Tax Center is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and supported by the Anderson County United Way. Taxpayers need to bring photo identification, a copy of last year’s return, Social Cecurity cards for all people listed on a return, health coverage forms, all relevant income forms (W-2s, 1099s, Social Security annual statement) and documentation for daycare, education, and itemized deduction expenses, the press release said.

The Tax Center is located in the Trinity Center at 320 Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge. It is open Tuesday-Friday from 3 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. Taxpayers are seen on a first-come basis. Volunteers will also be available on Monday, April 15, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

This press release was submitted by Diane Edwards.

Y-12, Pantex give more than $1 million to United Way

Posted at 1:42 pm February 13, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Contributions to the United Way from the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, topped $1 million in 2018. The donations were collected from employees and retirees, according to Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which manages and operates the two sites.

The sites engaged in year-long campaigns to generate money for the United Way, raising funds through silent auctions and various jewelry, book, and food sales at the sites as well as employee contributions, CNS said in a press release. A $150,000 donation from the parent companies of CNS was also included in the total.

“One of the best ways to help our local communities is through the United Way,” Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal said. “Y-12 and East Tennessee are special places because of the commitment of our employees to giving back to our neighbors.” [Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex donate $1.1 million to local United Way campaigns

Posted at 8:42 am February 27, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

United Way contributions at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge totaled about $1.1 million.

The contributions were announced last week by Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that manages and operates the two sites. Contributions from employees, retirees, and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns, CNS said in a press release.

Corporate gifts of $150,000 also added to the total, CNS said. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books, and food items. This year, both sites’ employees added to their United Way activities by raising funds and supplies for local veteran resource centers, the press release said. [Read more…]

Secret City Half Marathon & 5K helps raise awareness of kidney, organ donation

Posted at 9:19 am November 18, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Kidney transplant recipient and Harry Connick Jr. show guest Steve Winfree and his wife Heather of Knoxville are walking in the Secret City Half Marathon & 5K in Oak Ridge on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, to support organ donation. (Submitted photo)

The Secret City Half Marathon & 5K in Oak Ridge today (Saturday, November 18) is helping to raise awareness of kidney donation and organ donation in general, a press release said.

Now in its ninth year, the marathon has grown into one of the largest athletic events in the region, the press release said. An estimated 1,000 participants will run and/or walk their way to the finish line.

Great things are happening at this year’s event, the press release said.

“We are excited to have been mentioned on the Harry Connick Jr. show as Knoxville residents Steve and Heather Winfree’s chosen event to help raise awareness for kidney donation and organ donations in general,” said Lisa Kendall, race director for the half marathon and 5K races and vice president of Explore Oak Ridge. “Steve’s wife, Heather, was a kidney match for Steve and the touching video of her sharing the news with him went viral with media attention worldwide.” [Read more…]

ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 for 10th year in a row

Posted at 11:28 am October 15, 2017
By Pam Bonee Leave a Comment

Part of the ORAU campus in central Oak Ridge is pictured above on May 29, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

$1 million raised in past 10 years benefits United Way and Community Shares

For the 10th consecutive year, ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares, making total donations more than $1 million for the timeframe.

As part of the 2017 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign, a total of $117,604.41 was pledged. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares, or both nonprofit organizations, a press release said. [Read more…]

United Way funds discretionary grants

Posted at 10:11 am August 29, 2017
By naomi asher Leave a Comment

United Way of Anderson County awarded nearly $50,000 in grants to local nonprofits as part of its first Discretionary Grant cycle last month, a press release said.

While UWAC’s standard grant cycle focuses on programs that will have a long-term impact on clients’ lives, the Discretionary Grant offers funding for one-time, project-based requests that will enable the organizations to improve or expand the reach of existing programs and provide better service to their clients, the press release said. [Read more…]

United Way of Anderson County relocates

Posted at 11:06 pm July 4, 2017
By naomi asher Leave a Comment

United Way of Anderson County has relocated to 728 Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge.

The offices are now in a section of the former Daniel Arthur building that was recently vacated by the Emory Valley Center. This move will help United Way to not only maintain, but further drastically reduce, its low overhead costs, allowing more of each donation to go directly to individuals and families in need, a press release said.

“United Way of Anderson County thanks their board, volunteers, and the staff of Emory Valley Center for their help and support during the move,” the press release said. If you have any questions about the new location or the services offered by UWAC and its partners, call (865) 483-8431 or send an email to [email protected]. You can also visit www.uwayac.org for updates.

This press release was submitted by Naomi Asher.

United Way has its annual meeting at New Hope Center on Thursday

Posted at 1:37 pm April 18, 2017
By naomi asher Leave a Comment

United Way of Anderson County has its annual meeting on Thursday morning at the New Hope Center at Y-12 National Security Complex on Scarboro Road.

The 2017 Annual Meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, April 18. More than 100 community members, leaders, and volunteers are expected to attend. There will be a waffle and coffee bar, among other breakfast items, a press release said.

2016 Campaign Co-Chairs Carroll Welch and Bear Stephenson will welcome the crowd, and they will talk about the successes of the past year, the press release said. [Read more…]

Y-12, Pantex donate $1.2 million to local United Way campaigns

Posted at 5:08 pm February 9, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

United Way contributions at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, totaled roughly $1.2 million, Consolidated Nuclear Security, the managing and operating contractor, announced Thursday. Contributions from employees, retirees, and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns, a press release said.

The campaigns also added more than 500 Leadership Givers, who have pledged to donate $1,000 or more. Corporate gifts of some $155,000 also added to the total. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books, and food items, the press release said. [Read more…]

United Way campaign off to strong start

Posted at 7:08 am October 18, 2016
By naomi asher Leave a Comment

United Way of Anderson County has held several events already this campaign season, including their inaugural Leading Ladies United luncheon, which provided an opportunity for networking and for attendees to hear about several girls’ and women’s initiatives that United Way has under way.

Taste of Anderson County was a success in September, with live music, food vendors, a full bar, and plenty of kids activities. The community came out to support in full force and had a great Thursday night eating and drinking together, a press release said.

Bob Kesling came to celebrate the Vols with United Way supporters at a September 16 breakfast that focused on getting the community involved through giving back with time and money.

“Of course, Campaign Co-Chair Bear Stephenson auctioned a few Vols items to raise some extra dollars,” the press release said. [Read more…]

ORAU exceeds $100,000 in annual giving campaign for ninth year in row

Posted at 2:14 pm September 29, 2016
By Amy Schwinge Leave a Comment

The 2016 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign Chair Don Hanlon, pictured right, Co-Chair Mae Mosley, pictured left, and ORAU President and CEO Andy Page reveal ORAU’s combined giving total of $108,827.16. (Photo by ORAU)

For the ninth year in a row, ORAU has broken the $100,000 mark in donations as part of its annual giving campaign for the United Way and Community Shares.

During a concluding ceremony on September 28 in the ORAU Pollard Technology Conference Center, ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page announced the 2016 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign total donation amount: $108,827.16. As part of the total donation, ORAU (Oak Ridge Associated Universities) and its employees pledged $78,362 to the United Way and $30,465.16 to Community Shares. [Read more…]

ORNL United Way campaign tops $900,000, an increase from 2015

Posted at 1:18 pm September 27, 2016
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s United Way campaign’s $900,000 “big check” with, from left, Ann Weaver, whose Facilities Management Division was the top special fundraiser; 2016 chair Sharon Kohler; co-chair Ken Tobin; Facilities and Operations Director Jimmy Stone, directorate challenge winner for large directorates; and David Keim, representing the Office of the Laboratory Director, the challenge winner for smaller directorates. (ORNL photo by Genevieve Martin)

The 2016 United Way campaign at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory raised $900,000—an increase of $30,000 over the 2015 campaign.

“This is a fantastic and generous offer of support from our employees, management, volunteers, and everyone who has been associated in one way or another with this year’s United Way effort,” said campaign chair Sharon Kohler.

The $900,000 total included a corporate contribution from UT-Battelle. Kohler credited the lab’s Leadership Givers, who contribute a certain percentage of their salary per pay period, for providing 65 percent of the total designated by staff through payroll deduction. There were 22 new Leadership Givers joining this year. [Read more…]