The United Way of the Pennyrile has recognized several individuals, organizations and businesses who led efforts in the annual campaign, which brought in nearly 97% of its $750,000 goal with $726,743 raised.
Individual honors went to Sherri Turner, who received the Beverly Whitfield Award, and Elizabeth McCoy, who received the J. William Flowers Award.
The People Helping People Awards for businesses and organizations were presented to: Planters Bank, overall; Jennie Stuart Health, large; Siemer Milling, medium; and Fortera Credit Union, small.
The Chairman and Spirit Awards — for largest total giving and largest increase over the previous year, respectively — were presented in the campaign divisions. Those included:
- Commercial: Planters Bank, Chairman, and United Southern Bank, Spirit
- Education: Christian County Public Schools, Chairman, and Millbrooke Elementary, Spirit
- Industrial: Pennyrile Electric, Chairman, and Riken Americas, Spirit
- Government: Hopkinsville Fire Department, Chairman, and Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority, Spirit
- Professional: Jennie Stuart Health, Chairman, and United Southern Bank, Spirit
Recognized for 100% employee giving were Aaron McNeil House, Christian County Literacy Council, Dyslexia Association, Hopkinsville Electric System, Hopkinsville Solid Waste, Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority, Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center, South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, St. Luke Free Clinic and Trace Industries.
The fundraising by division was:
- Industrial: $197,238
- Government: $120,335
- Commercial: $206,380
- Professional: $103,312
- Education: $29,586
- Residential: $69,890
Local tourism director Brooke Jung and Hopkinsville attorney Dan Kemp chaired the campaign. Their theme was “Baking a Difference,” a play on the Batter Capital of World slogan for Christian County that was unveiled in August, a few weeks before the United Way campaign started.
The awards and campaign totals were announced at a celebration breakfast Thursday at the Christian County Senior Citizens Center.
The money raised through the campaign supports 19 agencies. They are Aaron McNeil House, American Red Cross, Armed Services YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Hopkinsville-Christian County, Bright Life Farms, Christian County Literacy Council, Christian County Rescue Team, Christian County Youth Services Advisory Board, Dyslexia Association of the Pennyrile, Hopkinsville YMCA Pryme Time, Christian County Imagination Library, Kentucky Legal Aid, Pennyrile Allied Community Services Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Meals on Wheels, Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center, Sanctuary Inc., St. Luke Free Clinic, The Salvation Army and Trace Industries.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
