The United Way of Lamar County (UWLC) announced today the community impact of their work in 2025 to improve the financial security, community resiliency, youth opportunities and health of everyone living in Lamar County.
$475,300 was allocated to the 19 Partner Agencies of UWLC. Agencies receiving monthly funding checks during 2025 included the Salvation Army, the Downtown Food Pantry, The King’s Daughters, the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club, Paris/Lamar Habitat for Humanity, HomeStay, the REACH Center, Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA for KIDS, Lamar County Child Welfare Board, Tailored Rides, the Lamar County Literacy Council, Imagination Library, Paris Community Theatre, C.E.R.T., RSVP, Keep Paris Beautiful and the Paris Wesley Center. Together these agencies address all of the complex and diverse needs in the community from food insecurity, affordable housing and homelessness, child abuse, early childhood literacy, disaster response, foster care, senior volunteerism, and afterschool programs and classes for all children.
During the summer of 2025, UWLC passed a milestone with their rent and utility assistance programs, surpassing $1 million in assistance since the programs were implemented in 2020. In 2025, UWLC spent $134,765 helping 603 households with a utility bill and $138,212 in rental assistance to 166 households.
Last year, in conjunction with the Salvation Army, UWLC also purchased bus tickets or arranged transportation for 19 homeless individuals who were not originally from Lamar County. Nine homeless families with children were referred to UWLC that needed an extended hotel stay, and the majority of those were then helped with rental assistance to move into permanent housing.
For our youth, last spring 164 graduating seniors from all local high schools were awarded as Texas Scholars, 10 students were recognized as their class Valedictorian and Salutatorian at the annual UWLC Val/Sal lunch, and 232 students participated in the Kids Marathon. 36 local high school seniors applied for the UWLC college scholarships, with four scholarships awarded. In addition to funding after-school programs at the Boys and Girls Club and the REACH Center, UWLC also increased funding for the afterschool program at Aaron Parker elementary in Powderly.
Thousands of diapers were distributed out of the UWLC office and to regional churches and agencies and food was shared from the pantry at the UWLC office and through their mini food pantries located throughout the county. Last summer donated fans were distributed and beginning in December, heaters were given to those in need.
Once a month the Autism Support Group met at the UWLC office with a special summer fun day for the kids in July and a Trolley Ride in December to see Christmas lights.
Last Mother’s Day, the 2nd Annual Goat Yoga fundraiser was held in downtown Paris, sponsored by the Credit Union of Texas.
This past fall, over 75 volunteers showed up to help clean up the Abandoned Black Cemetery at the UWLC ‘s Day of Action.
And finally, the Annual Fall Campaign raised $668,875 to fund the partner agencies in 2026 as well as internal UWLC programming.
UWLC Executive Director Jenny Wilson stated, “2025 was a really busy year, and we are so grateful to all of our donors, corporate sponsors and workplace campaigns that make all of our work possible. We are excited to continue to help those in need in 2026 and to see our community thrive!”
For more information on the United Way of Lamar County call 903-784-6642 or visit www.lamarcountyuw.org
