A year after raising more than $600,000 during its annual campaign, the United Way of the Pennyrile has lofty — and potentially achievable — goals for its 2021 fundraising efforts.
During Thursday morning’s “Baking A Difference” Campaign Kickoff Breakfast at Tie Breaker Pavilion in Hopkinsville, co-chairs Brooke Jung and Dan Kemp announced a mark of $750,000, or perhaps more, could be reached by January 2022 — when this drive comes to its full close.
Among its typical fundraising divisions — industrial, commercial, professional, education, government and education — a new one has been added for 2021-22 and likely beyond, targeting small business.
Headed up by DeeAnna Sova, Traci Mason, Kristen Knight, Sarah Morgan and Dustin Gilbert, the 365 Small Business Circle hopes to bring as much to the table as other organizations when giving back to Christian, Caldwell, Trigg and Todd counties.
Sova, the executive director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Library, noted it’s easier for smaller local businesses to contribute to United Way efforts seasonally — as peaks and valleys come with commerce.
Now, that’s a reality.
South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council Executive Director Carter Hendricks, part of the industrial fundraising division, noted roughly a third of the United Way’s local fundraising efforts annually comes from the workforce of more than 60 industries — most of which is driven back to the 19 local and regional agencies who receive the funds.
As of Thursday morning, more than $148,000 of the $750,000 goal have been collected. An October 21 mid-season luncheon report will be delivered at a joint Hopkinsville Rotary-Kiwanis meeting, and a finale celebratory dinner has been scheduled for January 13, 2022.
“American Pie”
Derrick Watson, president and CEO of HWEA, noted that the Latham Society is currently planning a United Way fundraising event wrapped around the “Baking a Difference” theme — one that will focus on Don McLean’s “American Pie” using baked apple pies and Kentucky Owl rye whiskey.
But it’s not the only notes he had on Thursday morning.
He also strummed a few notes of McLean’s ballad, one of its 18 verses celebrating Americana and the death of Buddy Holly.
Events, support planned
Several local events have been planned with their proceeds benefiting the United Way of the Pennyrile.
— 6 p.m., September 16, Beer release at Hopkinsville Brewing Company, “Brownie Batter Stout”
— September 18, Third Annual Hoptown Half Marathon & 5K
— The Jennie Stuart Health Board of Directors announced it would match employee United Way contributions as a corporate donation.
— Todd County and Trigg County Schools have joined as contributors to the United Way of the Pennyrile campaign.
For more information, visit pennyrileunitedway.org.
2021 Campaign Cabinet
Dan Kemp & Brooke Jung — Campaign Co-Chairs
Betsy Bond — Executive Director
Industrial
Carter Hendricks
Sharon Butts
Martha Argotte
Jon Stahl
Betsy Shelton
Commercial
Sandy Grogan
Stephanie McQueen
Brandon Grace
Government
Melissa Spurr
Tab Brockman
Cindy Stagner
Melissa Kempa
Residential
Lana Bastin
Lesley Cansler
Roy Keller
Small Business
DeeAnna Sova
Traci Mason
Kristen Knight
Sarah Morgan
Dustin Gilbert
Professional
Janet Calhoun
Josh Ryan
Nicole Cravens
Education
Jennifer Jatczak
Michelle Walden
Dr. Alissa Young
Video Production
Dan Stahl
Special Events
Melanie Noffsinger
Alissa Keller
Whitney Stewart
Latham Society
Amy & Derrick Watson
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