By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
UWKC recognizes campaign divisions during luncheon
UWKC photo861
Pictured above are Commercial Division representatives: Bob Gulledge, Commercial Division Vice Chair; Tina Smith, Beverly Taylor, Mid Carolina CU; Lena Campbell, Wal-Mart; Gail Carter, First Community Bank; Tina Davis, BC/BS of Camden; Karen Eckford, NBSC and Eddie Adamson, 2016 Campaign Chairman. Receiving awards but not pictured: Bank of America, First Citizens Bank, Palmetto GBA and Belk. - photo by Provided by the UWKC
Tenell Felder
Updated: March 4, 2016, 1 a.m.

The United Way of Kershaw County (UWKC) recently hosted its 2016 Campaign Recognition Luncheon in recognition of the fundraising efforts of each campaign division.

“Even though we gave awards, we thought it was important for (those at the luncheon) to hear the difference their money made. A plaque is important, but I think knowing where your money going is the most important thing,” UWKC President Donny Supplee said. 

The United Way recognized the commercial, individual, industrial, professional, public employee and school divisions during the luncheon.  

Also, the UWKC introduced KARE as one of its new partner agencies. 

“KARE is out of the northern part of our county. They actually serve three counties and serve out of the Bethune and North Central areas. They provide important services for that area in terms of crises services, food pantries and those types of services. We are glad to have them,” Supplee said. 

Other new partner agencies of the Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands and the Midlands Women’s Center. 

Money raised from each year’s UWKC campaign is distributed to the UWKC’s various partner agencies in Kershaw County such as the Kershaw County Council on Aging, ALPHA Center and Kershaw County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs.

“Local is what it is all about; that is probably the hardest message we have to get out. A lot of people recognize the United Way logo … but we want people to know what does it does here in our community,” Supplee said. Everything we fund is in Kershaw County.”

The industrial division, which consists of industrial sites within the county, raised the most money for this year’s campaign.

“Industrial is our biggest piece; they raised about $255,000,” Supplee said.

The UWKC recognized INVISTA for having 62 leadership givers, for making donations of $500 or more.

Also during the luncheon, the UWKC recognized the Kershaw County School District for combined efforts of raising approximately $151,000.

“We had growth in our school division and we once again celebrated the student campaign. We had the presidents of both of the student bodies (from the student campaign) and their faculty represented. We wanted to thank (students) for raising $65,000 dollars,” Supplee said. 

Supplee said he also discussed the meaning of a newer United Way logo during the recognition luncheon to emphasize the UWKC’s mission. 

“I talked about the hand (in the logo) and that it’s a hand up not a hand out. The person in this logo is bigger (than the previous logo) which I think is an important statement for us to make locally, that people are the most important part of what we do -- from the people who give to the agencies we fund. The rainbow signifies hope.” Supplee said.

Again, Supplee thanked all the divisions for participating.

“Everybody likes somebody to say thank you. We can’t do it enough. We want the money to go where it needs to go … if you forget to say thank you, people may not know that their money is making a difference,” he said.