Dozens of people from the nonprofit sector and the business community gathered at CASA for Kids on Friday morning to hear how this year’s United Way of Lamar County’s Fall Campaign was progressing.
Those in attendance heard that the first workplace to be completed was Farmer’s Bank which donated over $5000 to the Campaign. Jennifer Ray and Yesica Munguia, co-chairs of the Paris ISD campaign announced that they just started their campaign this week and have already brought in $10,177 in pledges or 46.7% of their goal. Tanya Argo from Paris Regional Health reported that they have already surpassed their goal of $45,000 and are going to try to raise over $50,000 for this year’s campaign. Markita McNealy, from Liberty National Bank, reported that employee pledges are at $7,254, and they are still waiting for the annual bank contribution. Bow Willis attended the meeting for First Federal Chair Kandace Davidson and reported that the employee pledges and the matching gift from the First Federal Community Foundation are at $32,646. Lauren Wilson and Blair Briscoe, co-chairs of the campaign at Lamar National Bank, announced that they have employee pledges so far of $15,571 as well as a bank gift of $5000. CASA turned in pledge cards from 100% of staff and board and the Boys & Girls Club gave pledges from their staff members as well.
UWLC Executive Director Jenny Wilson stated, “At the First Report Out Meeting last year we were at $167,000.” She then urged those in attendance to guess how much higher they were this year, finally revealing that they are at $220,455 or 37% of their $600,000 goal.
The next Campaign Report Out meeting is on Friday, October 24th at the Paris Community Theatre at 9am. The Final Campaign Report Out Meeting will be Friday, November 21st at the PJC Ballroom and will feature a Chili Cook-Off.
This fall’s Annual Campaign will fund the 19 UWLC partner agencies in 2026. Partner Agencies who receive funding from the United Way of Lamar County include: The Salvation Army, Downtown Food Pantry, The King’s Daughters, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, HomeStay, the REACH Center, Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA for Kids, Lamar County Child Welfare Board, Tailored Rides, Lamar County Literacy Council, Imagination Library, Paris Community Theatre, C.E.R.T., RSVP, Keep Paris Beautiful and the Paris Wesley Center.
Those wishing to make a pledge or donation to the United Way of Lamar County’s Annual Campaign can do so online at www.lamarcountyuw.org, by mail at PO Box 1, Paris TX 75461 or drop off at the UWLC office, located at 2340 Lamar Avenue (next door to Pickle Printing). All donations are tax deductible and stay here in Lamar County.
