The Pennyrile’s generosity was on full display late Thursday night at the Hopkinsville Boys & Girls Club Gymnasium, as Lucas Stagner and Whitney Stewart — co-chairs of the 2022-23 “Planting Seeds of Hope” annual United Way fundraising campaign — revealed this year’s total.
In all, $700,550 was collected for the coffer, with plans soon coming for distribution among the umbrella’s counties in Caldwell, Christian, Todd and Trigg.
With a lofty goal of $730,000, Stagner and Stewart did close the evening noting their hopes fell a shade short.
To come within 4%, however, is nothing to frown upon, especially as these efforts and funds go to those who need them most.
Ten groups gave almost half of the total this gift-giving season: Riken Elastomers turned in $10,922, Siemer Milling arrived at $11,443, Krusteaz chipped in $21,607, Pennyrile Rural Electric offered $28,806, Hopkinsville Electric Systems delivered $31,068, HWEA splashed with $37,500, Hopkinsville Fire Department provided $43,731, Planters Bank cashed in $45,572, Jennie Stuart Health triaged with $50,000, and H&R Agri-Power took top honors behind a $59,824 contribution.
Tab Brockman, outgoing United Way board chairman, said some special visits to these companies are on the horizon.
Furthermore, Brockman also said that next year’s campaign chairs have “already been determined,” and that Lana Bastin — this year’s “Residential Division” chairwoman — will be succeeding in his place.
Hopkinsville, he added, continues to be “a special place.”
A large number of annual awards were also doled out Thursday night.
Salvation Army of Hopkinsville’s Lt. Lindsey Galabeas was able to announce Ann Cox as the revered recipient of the annual “Beverly Whitfield” Award — given to someone of great volunteerism and community service.
Two-time campaign chair and former Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp was awarded the “J. William Flowers” honor — bestowed in the likeness of former Planters Bank President Bill Flowers.
Thirteen businesses and organizations had 100% annual giving to this campaign: Aaron McNeil House, Christian County Chamber of Commerce, Christian County Emergency Management, Christian County Literacy Council, The Dyslexia Association, First Southern National Bank, Hopkinsville Electric System, Hopkinsville Solid Waste, HWEA, the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center, St. Luke Free Clinic, Trace Industries and Visit Hopkinsville.
“People Helping People” awards went to organizations that made “meaningful” impacts and contributions to this year’s campaign, and included First Southern National Bank in the “Small Business” division, HWEA in the “Medium Business” division, H&R Agri-Power in the “Large Business” division, and The City of Hopkinsville snagged the “Overall” honor.
Betsy Bond, president/CEO for United Way of the Pennyrile, introduced a new set of awards: Regional Impact.
For Caldwell County, it was Planters Bank. For Todd County, it was Pennyrile Electric. For Trigg County, it was Bank of Cadiz & Trust Co.
Over the last two United Way campaigns, more than $1.4 million has been raised for the anchoring of important non-profits.
