United Way campaign chairmen Chris Jung and Cody Noffsinger made good on their pledge to help raise at least $700,000 for the agency’s annual fund drive. They pushed a bit beyond the goal with $735,012 in donations and pledges.
The fundraising total was announced Tuesday during a celebration at the James E. Bruce Convention Center, where Jung and Noffsinger played their alter egos as the Blues Brothers one last time (perhaps). Dressed in dark suits and sunglasses inspired by the original Blues Brothers, comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, the campaign chairmen danced for the volunteers who helped them raise the money.
Their act was part of the United Way of the Pennyrile’s annual tradition of using themes and all manner of schtick to motivate donors during a nine-month campaign.
The money United Way raises supports agencies in Christian, Todd, Trigg and Caldwell counties. They include the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hopkinsville-Christian County, Imagination Library, the Christian County Rescue Team, St. Luke Clinic and several more.
Approximately 43% of this year’s fund came from the John C. Latham Society, a division of the campaign for individuals and couples who give $500 or more. Chaired by Planters Bank CEO Elizabeth McCoy, the Latham Society brought in $316,777, said Betsy Bond, United Way’s executive director. In all, there were 368 Latham Society donors.
Several awards were presented to campaign volunteers and businesses. There were four People Helping People Awards:
- Small Business Division: Farm Credit Mid-America, which raised $1,569 from employees and $1,030 in a corporate match.
- Medium Business Division: Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority with $42,500 from employees, a 13.3% increase from last year.
- Large Business Division: Pennyrile Electric with a total of $50,161, including $26,843 f(employees), $6,569 (corporate donation), $10,000 (CoBank) and $6,750 (TVA match). The utility increased its giving 74.1% compared to last year.
- Overall People Helping People: H&R Agri-Power, which raised $69,242 through employee giving and matches from Wayne Hunt and the Hunt Family Foundation. The company increased its contribution by 15.7%.
Regional impact awards went to:
- Caldwell County: Planters Bank, Princeton
- Todd County: Novelis
- Trigg County: Bank of Cadiz and Trust Co.
Dan Kemp presented the J. William Flowers Award for outstanding service and leadership to Martha Argotte. She will chair United Way’s 2024-25 campaign.
The Beverly Whitfield Award was presented to Annie Bingham, a volunteer for St. Luke, Hopkinsville Family YMCA and the RSVP program.
Campaign organizers also recognized chairman/representatives of divisions:
- Commercial: Josh Ryan
- Education: Will Owen
- Government: Tab Brockman
- Industrial: Martha Argot
- Professional: Jake Williams
- Residential: Lana Bastin
Division awards presented to businesses and agencies included:
- Commercial: Chairman’s Award to H&R Agri-Power; Spirit Award to Fortera Credit Union.
- Education: Chairman’s Award to Hopkinsville Community College; Spirit Award to Indian Hills Elementary School.
- Government: Chairman’s Award to Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority; Spirit Award to Christian County Jail.
- Professional: Chairman’s Award to Jennie Stuart Health; Spirit Award to Trace Industries.
- Industrial: Chairman’s Award to Pennyrile Electric; Spirit Award to Siemer Milling.
The campaign topped last year’s effort, which came in at $700,550.
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.
