United Way honors lead donors

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  • John Sellers was keynote speaker at the Hopkins County United Way Lead Donor/CEO Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday. He provided the history of Hopkins County United Way, stating the organization began as United Fund in 1955. Staff photo by Ashley Colvin
    John Sellers was keynote speaker at the Hopkins County United Way Lead Donor/CEO Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday. He provided the history of Hopkins County United Way, stating the organization began as United Fund in 1955. Staff photo by Ashley Colvin
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Kristy Landers Moseley, President of Hopkins County United Way welcomed guests to the United Way Lead Donor and CEO Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday at the Venue at 219. Moseley opened with the recognition of the Unitd Way Board of Directors, Budget and Allocation Committee and lead donors for the year.

Emily Glass, Campaign Chair of United Way shared her appreciation for the top 15 contributors who have given back to the community -- GSC Enterprises, CHRISTUS Mother Frances, Flowserve, Sulphur Spring ISD, City National Bank, UPS, Carol Vernon — Paying It Forward Fund, Jay Hodge Chevrolet, Holt CAT, Alliance Bank, Atmos Energy, Zahn Family Charitable Trust, The City of Sulphur Springs, Ocean Spray and Hopkins County Hospital District — EMS/ Communications.

Glass presented a short video for the 2022 campaign year, voiced by her own, sharing a message about the mission of Hopkins County United Way.

“What exactly does Hopkins County United Way do? The simplest way to answer that question is ‘that since 1955, we have helped people and we intend to do that today.’ Our goal is to help as many people as possible in Hopkins County from all walks of life – people who want to make their lives better, people who want to help other people, people who need help – we are families, babies, kids, teenagers, moms, dads, seniors, people with health problems and developmental disabilities, people coping with depression, abuse, mental illness and poverty. You may ask, ‘how are we able to help so many people who have so many needs’ – and that’s where it gets a little more complex. We partner with 18 local agencies, where so many in this county are able to receive the help they need. Instead of focusing on one issue, we focus on helping the community as a whole. It’s extremely important to the people who need this help and it’s possible because thousands of people from across our county generously make donations each year. They know their money helps our whole community and stays right here in Hopkins County. The most recent census data in 2020 indicates that 12.7 percent of Hopkins County residents live at or below the poverty line, 19 percent of our children, age 18 and under, are at or below the poverty line, 21 percent of those under the age of 65 have no health insurance. Prior to COVID, 62 percent of SSISD students, district wide, qualified for free or reduced lunches. United Way helps achieve greater financial stability so that all residents will have access to food, shelter and the support they need. Together, with our corporate partners and individual donors, Hopkins County United Way seeks to continue its strong tradition and history of helping every person in need of assistance.”

Keynote speaker, John Sellers followed up with the history of United Way in Hopkins County, stating he himself was the campaign chair for the organization 14 years ago until he became President of the Board.

Sellers stated individuals in the county created the United Fund in 1955, in order to combine their efforts as separate agencies working towards the same goal – to help Hopkins County residents. With a goal of $29,500, equal to over $300,000 today, the United Fund reached their first goal as a charity organization 67 years ago. A total of 133 people donated “one day’s pay” as a fundraiser campaign — 108 of those who pledged were teachers.

Sellers closed by reiterating the story of the “good Samaritan.” In the story, a Samaritan helps a Jewish man on the side of the road in need. Sellers noted, “as the first two men passed, their thoughts must have been, what would it mean to us if we helped this man, but the Samaritan turned it around and thought, what would have happened if I didn’t help him?”