Dozens of people representing nonprofit agencies and local businesses gathered Friday morning at the Paris Community Theatre to hear about the progress of this year’s Fall Campaign for the United Way of Lamar County (UWLC).
Before the updates to the Campaign were given, representatives from the Abandoned Black Cemetery Association took the stage to talk about the discovery of the cemetery and the work they have done to clean it up. A Day of Action hosted by the UWLC will have volunteers at the cemetery, located at 800 W. Center Street, on Friday, October 31st from 8am-noon with breakfast being sponsored by the Credit Union of Texas.
UWLC Executive Director Jenny Wilson invited volunteers from the workplace campaigns to come up on stage to report their numbers. Beginning with the Commercial Division, Lauren Wilson and Blair Briscoe with Lamar National Bank reported that they had raised over $24,000 and Kandace Davidson with First Federal Community Bank reported that their workplace campaign had raised $35,606. Other banks that completed workplace campaigns included Peoples Bank ($10,000); Farmers Bank ($5000); and Liberty National Bank ($27,254). Overall the Commercial Division had a goal of $95,500 and they are at 107% of that goal at $102,190.
In the School Division, PISD Co-Chairs Jennifer Ray and Yesica Munguia reported that Paris ISD was just $300 short of their $23,000 goal, but were determined to get to their goal. Longtime United Way volunteer Kenneth Webb reported that PJC had raised $11,305.68 so far but said “they were going to beat Paris ISD even if it’s one dollar more” eliciting a big laugh from those in the theatre. NL ISD has a goal of $16,000 and has currently raised $7006. The School Division has a goal of $59,000 and they are at 69% of that with $40,899 in pledges.
The Healthcare Division is at 125% of their 50,000 goal with over $48,000 in pledges from Paris Regional Health as reported by co-chairs Tanya Argo and James Hall. And Paris Orthopedics employees have pledged $5000.
Erin Lewis reported that Lamar County is halfway to their goal of $7000 as is HWH with $34,586 in pledges. Kimberly Clark has raised $16,150 so far through their summer and fall auction and Turner Industries gave a gift of $18,900. The Industry Division is at 53% of their $250,000 goal.
Wilson also recognized corporate gifts from DELCO Trailers ($10,000); Bahena Construction ($15,000); Atmos Energy ($15,000); Cunningham Steel ($5000) and Edward Jones Stephen Gerrald ($5000) before telling the crowd that the Campaign is currently at 73% of the $600,000 goal with $439,875 in pledges and donations.
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.
