Published: September 04, 2008 08:13 pm         

AROUND THE TOWN: You can help out the United Fund and win the auction

What has served our area for more than 40 years, supports more than 30 agencies and keeps all of the money raised in the county? If you answered the United Fund of Cumberland County, you are exactly right.

A group of folks, way back in 1966, chartered United Fund to raise money to assist people in our community. The United Fund now assists agencies that aid the homeless, hungry, disaster victims, adult and child programs, domestic assault, military, citizens with brain disorders, low income families and our elderly.

This organization has worked diligently over the years to garner support for not just one, but a host of the county's not-for-profit organizations. One of the ways board members do this is by hosting events throughout the year.

The 2008 installment is a dinner and auction at Forte's in Tansi. The dinner is slated for Sept. 26. The doors open at 6 with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Single tickets are $25 each or a table of eight for $175. There will also be live and silent auctions and entertainment by Loftin Creek recording artist Pat Roper.

Auction items include a Pigeon Forge getaway for eight, golf rounds, flying lessons, golf bags, Cumberland County Playhouse tickets, Tennessee Titans tickets, original artwork, autographed UT footballs and basketballs and Stonehaus winery baskets.

This year's United Fund goals is $310,000. The United Fund assists AARP Foundations Tax Aide program, the American Red Cross, the Arc of Cumberland County, the Avalon Center, Azalea Gardens Inc., Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Christian Counseling Center, Creative Compassion, Crossville Housing Authority Resident Council, Cumberland Adult Reading Program, the House of Hope, Cumberland County Cardiac Pulmonary Rehab Alumni Association, Habitat for Humanity, the Imagination Library, the Rescue Squad and Junior Rescue Squad, the Teens Against Drugs (TAD) Center, Cumberland County Youth Center, Cumberland Good Samaritans Inc., Exchange Club/Holland J. Stephens Center for Prevention of Child Abuse and Fair Park Senior Center. The United Fund also supports the Four C's foundation, Hilltoppers Inc., Kid's Inc., Kids on the Rise, LBJ&C Head Start and Foster Grandparents, NAMI of Cumberland Plateau, Oakmont Complex, Second Harvest Food Bank, Tennessee Poison Center, UCHRA and VORP/Community Mediation.

Thanks to the hard work by the United Fund board and executive director Holly Neal, many programs here in Cumberland County are still alive and working throughout the area. Current United Fund board of directors include officers Perk Thornton, president; Janice Hamby, vice president; Pauline Sherrer, second vice president; Bob Garwood, treasurer; and secretary McKinley Tabor. Other board members include Don Alexander, Karen Cole, Beth Davis, Amanda Elmore, Don Haston, Benny Hill, Jeanene Houston, James Mayberry, Pat Roper, Len Stark, Randel Trevana, Jo Bateman, Jeff Cooper, Larry Doster, Angie England, Larry Henson, Gene Holloway, Megan Ironside, Lou Morrison, Renee Smith, Julie Thompson and Cindy Turner.

You may join the board members, along with our city and county mayors, Sept. 9 from 4-6 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. This is the official kickoff for the 2009 year.

If you see any of these folks, give them a thank you for all they do here in the county. They work very hard all year long to see that the goal is met and the local agencies continue to receive their funding.

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Volunteers are needed for this weekend's Special Olympics track and field events. At least one volunteer hugger for each athlete is needed. Special athletes consist of any person of any age who lives in Cumberland County who is challenged, physically or intellectually. All athletes will earn a ribbon and/or medal, T-shirt, refreshments, hugs and more.

Check-in and training for the huggers will begin at 5 p.m. in the Main Street Church of Christ parking lot Saturday evening. This will be followed by the parade line-up at 6 p.m. The parade down Main Street and the opening ceremonies are at 7 p.m. at Jet Stadium. Saturday's events are sponsored by The Arc of Cumberland County, the Knights of Columbus, Cumberland County schools and Hilltoppers Inc. If you want to be a volunteer or hugger, or if you need more information, call The Arc at 456-0206.