United Way of Grayson kicks off fundraising campaign

Kathy Williams

Herald Democrat

About 300 people invested a little sweat equity into their health and the future of the United Way of Grayson County Saturday morning when they participated in the "Hustle for Health."

The Hustle consisted of a fun run, a 10-K and a 5-K run and ended with live music, food and skits on the Grayson County Courthouse steps. United Way of Grayson County volunteers will be investing a lot of sweat and planning as well as sharing many agency success stories to meet their $1.3 million goal this year.

Overall female and male winners of the 10K run were Wendy Rich of Van Alstyne and Joe Beisner of Irving. Overall female and male winners of the 5K run were Elizabieth Ennis of Fort Worth and Noel Nunez of Mesquite.

Representatives from the current 22 community partners of United Way of Grayson County set up booths on the north side of the courthouse to spread information about their services and missions.

Maureen Kane, who serves as chairwoman for the 2010 United Way of Grayson County campaign, thanked the sponsors, volunteers, participants and agency representatives for starting the campaign with such a successful trio of races. She encouraged everyone at the celebration at the courthouse to visit the agency booths.

"If you go over and check out the booths, you will be excited by the people who work for them and by the people who have been helped by them," Kane said. "You know our theme this year is 'Go the Distance With United Way.' We're truly going the distance: We are helping people from children to the elderly and everyone in between. We are helping your neighbors and someday we may be helping you. So, I just want to say thank you for your donations and for your time."

"Our campaign goal this year is $1.3 million, which sounds like a lot of money. But I have the utmost faith in you," Kane said. "You have done it before and you can do it again."

Kane said one of the great things about giving to United Way is you don't have to pick between helping prevent child abuse or the homebound person who needs Meals on Wheels, because United Way dollars fund them all.

"And more importantly, if you want to volunteer your time, we'll take that too," Kane said. "Volunteer with United Way, volunteer with an agency. Make a difference in the lives of someone in your community. I know just talking with these agencies has inspired me to give my time."

In a later interview, Kane said that this year's goal is similar to last year's because of the economic times. She said she is convinced that despite economic woes, the dedicated United Way contributors and volunteers will find the donations to meet the goal.

Kane said that the campaign is using a tiered approach to present the information about where the funding goes and the opportunity for giving at various industries and other groups. This puts employees of each company, who best know the workers there, at the heart of their individual campaigns. So, be on the lookout for United Way pledge cards to sign up to have your donation deducted from your paycheck. She encouraged workers to donate a Fair Share or one hour's pay per month to United Way of Grayson County this year.

Kane and United Way of Grayson County's Campaign Director Minerva Paredes both participated in the Hustle for Health before conducting the events at the post race kickoff festival at the Courthouse. David Cortinas, chief executive officer of United Way, thanked all participants, introduced the campaign chairwoman and director as well as members of United Way Board of Directors, then stepped back to let the volunteers and director shine.

Throughout the afternoon, United Way supporters dined on free hot dogs, hamburgers and chips and danced to the sound of the Willy Kickit band. The children seemed to think it was pretty funny that the Tyson's Chicken did the "Chicken Dance" with them.

United Way of Grayson County's current partner agencies are: American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club of Denison, Boys and Girls Club of Sherman, CASA of Grayson County, Child and Family Guidance Center of Texoma, Crisis Center, Four Rivers Outreach, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Grayson County Shelter, Grayson Literacy Team, Greater Texoma Health Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, Home Hospice of Grayson County, Jack and Jill Day Care Center, North Texas Youth Connection (Grayson County Juvenile Alternatives), Grayson County Children's Advocacy Center, Pottsboro Kids Club, Texoma Foster Parent Program, The Rehabilitation Center, The Salvation Army, and Meals on Wheels (Tri-County Senior Nutrition Project).

"For more information contact United Way of Grayson County (903) 893-1920, or at www.unitedwaygrayson.org.

Atmos Energy Benefit Golf Tournament benefitting United Way of Grayson County