The Elizabethton/Carter County United Way is working its way closer to its goal of collecting $160,000 in contributions to be distributed to nine area agencies.
United Way Director Cheri Tinney said the agency has collected 62 percent of the goal and has until March 31 to raise the remaining funds needed for the local nonprofits supported by United Way funding.
The United Way’s collections jumped from 45 percent collected to 62 percent this week after the agency received the pledged funds from the Kingsport United Way and from employees from Carter County Bank.
“Since the start of January, we have raised $35,000 and that is just fantastic,” Tinney said. “We are hopeful that contributions will continue to move forward.”
In addition to traditional means of contributing, Tinney said donations can be made online using Paypal through the United Way’s website, www.uwayecc.org.
“This is a new option that we just started this year,” she said. “We have received donations through it, so it is a safe place for people who want to make contributions online.”
Tinney plans to keep pursuing contribution options through the community until the campaign goal has been reached. She said she had received some “leads” on individuals or businesses that could be interested in contributing.
She said she would also be working with the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce to spread the word about the campaign balance. Another goal is to organize a Facebook page for the United Way to help share news through social media.
“We are hopeful the contributions will continue to come in and this will move right along,” Tinney said.
To make a contribution to the United Way, call 543-6975. Agencies supported through the 2015 campaign are Adult Day Services, American Red Cross, Assistance and Resource Ministries, Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton, Personal Support Service, Contact Ministries, Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center, Sequoyah Council Boy Scouts and the Neighborhood Service Center.