The United Way of White County is aiming to raise $90,000 to support local not-for-profit agencies in fulfilling their 2024 missions to enrich the lives of White County families and individuals.

“Having been blessed to deliver more than $3 million in funding over the past 40 years to not-for-profit organizations serving neighbors in need, the United Way of White County is most sincerely appreciative of the continuing selfless generosity shown by our community,” said Stacy Gray, the local United Way president.

Following a COVID-related hiatus, the United Way has resumed its voluntary payroll deduction program with employees of White County Schools and is making board members available to provide presentations to other local employers. Those interested may phone 706-348-7067.

The United Way of White County’s annual bucket drive is slated for Saturday, Oct. 21, with donations to be collected outside the Ingles Markets location at 55 Helen Highway, Cleveland, and at additional sites, including multiple highway crossroads.

Meanwhile, plans are advancing for the 22nd annual Darrel Chaney Invitational, chaired by former Major League Baseball player and 1975 World Series champion Darrel Chaney, to be held April 15-16 in Helen. The celebrity golf tournament and related functions traditionally constitute the United Way of White County’s leading fundraiser. Proceeds from the 2023 edition once again received a grant boost from The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands in the Community program.

The current $90,000 campaign goal is up from the $80,000 awarded in February 2023 to 14 not-for-profit entities, including Catalyst Christian Learning Center, Circle of Hope, Cleveland Care Center, Community Helping Hands Clinic, Enota CASA, Family Promise of White County, Habersham Homeless Ministries, Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia, Rape Response, South Enota Child Advocacy Center, White County Backpack Buddies, White County Caring & Sharing, White County Food Pantry and White County 4H.

Those wishing to learn more and/or make tax-deductible contributions to the current campaign may go to www.unitedwaywhitecounty.org on the Web. The 2024 funding application is to be available this fall on the same website.

PHOTO: Unveiling the United Way of White County’s 2024 goal of $90,000 are, from left, volunteer officers and board members Dr. Mark Griffin; Donald Harris; Dean Dyer; Paul Scott Abbott, secretary; Gene White; Angie Jarrard; Carol Powell; Susan Knox Cremering; Taylor Thomas; Lauren Williams, vice president; and Nathan Eason.