A touch of pink went a long way Thursday morning, as droves of tri-county notables poured into the Christian County Senior Citizens Center for the annual United Way of the Pennyrile Campaign Kick-off Breakfast.
This year’s theme — “Give Unlimited Possibilities!” — directly correlates to Barbie, and as such, many understood the assignment by donning her signature color through shirts, pants and other accessories.
Campaign Co-chairs Abigail Landrum and Bri Smith closed the meal and fellowship by revealing a goal of $715,000 — which, at present, is already 32.8% complete with $235,000 signed, sealed and delivered.
Chaired by Martha Steil, Samantha Gibson, Andy Pitts, Christy Stokes and Jon Stahl, the Industrial division is hoping to bring in more than $185,000 to the campaign.
The Government division — chaired by Leslie Sowell, Adam Smith, Lucas Stagner and Diane Turner — wants to bring in at least $145,000, especially with HWEA as its pacesetter.
Led by Michelle Walden, Jessica Cannon, Jennifer Jatczak, Will Owen and Peyton Waldrop, the Education division just saw many of its staff and students return to school. Still, they have a goal of $22,000.
In the Commercial division, chair Josh Ryan, Casey Alder, Chandler Ladd, Ericka Sims Hall and Amy Rogers are seeking to surpass $165,000 — thanks to a long list of early pacesetters.
The Professional division — led by chair-elect Nicole Cravens, Lanie Ledford, Kristin Knight, Ryleigh Oldham and Jake Williams — wants to crest $106,000.
And the Residential division is shepherded by Lana Bastin, Nancy Moore, Darrell Gustafson, Dan Kemp, Ashley Nichols and Steve Tribble, with their eyes set to no less than $92,000 after announcing more than 50 pacesetters committed to community.
And this doesn’t even factor in Latham Society efforts.
This year, the campaign will assist at least 16 non-profit organizations looking to fully assist their clientele on a daily basis — stress free from the frustrations that often accompany fundraising and other needed supports.
Among those is Sanctuary Inc., and its executive director Heather Lancaster emceed a short fashion show based on their most recent initiative “Empowering Survivors” — which helps provide professional attire to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
United Way Executive Director Melanie Noffsinger noted that the 16 partner agencies help implement no less than 32 impact programs across the three counties — all of them vital for the population.
Agencies of Assistance in Trigg, Christian and Todd
+ Aaron McNeil House
+ American Red Cross
+ Armed Services YMCA
+ Boys & Girls Club of Hopkinsville & Christian County
+ Christian County Literacy Council
+ PACS/RSVP
+ Dyslexia Association of the Pennyrile
+ PACS/Home Delivered Meals
+ Christian County Youth Services Advisory Board
+ Hopkinsville YMCA
+ Christian County Rescue Team
+ Kentucky Legal Aid
+ Salvation Army of Hopkinsville
+ Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center
+ Trace Industries
+ Sanctuary, Inc.
Residential Pacesetters:
