A room full of United Way supporters filled the Beadel Dining Hall at the Mabee Center of Howard Payne University on Tuesday. Although the local 2010 United Way Campaign goal was not met, its success was celebrated at the annual luncheon due to the fact that “over $300,000 was able to be raised in hard times” said Karen Lynch, Executive Director of the Brown County United Way.
Member agencies that will benefit from the United Way in 2010 that serve Brown County are: American Red Cross, Salvation Army Loaves & Fishes, Boy Scouts of America, Latch Key Program, Family Services Center, CASA, Small World Child Development Center, Brown County Association for Retarded Citizens, Mid-Texas Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Boys & Girls Clubs, Brown County 4-H Clubs, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Ark, and Cancer Services Center.
Many generous contributions were received from local businesses and individuals. Those contributing over $1000 were: Burl & Sarah Brown, AT&T, TDCJ Havins Unit, Wal-Mart, Family Services Center, and The Ark. Giving between $1000-5000 were: TYC Ron Jackson Unit, Dr. Bruce Leipzig & the Allergy Clinic, DanHil Containers, Stephen & Sandra Kelley Foundation, JC Penney, The Brownwood Bulletin, Chevron Phillips Performance Pipe, Brownwood ISD, Central Texas Foundation/JR Beadel, Howard Payne University, Kroger, Underwood’s Cafeteria, Oncor/TXU, Superior Essex, City of Brownwood, Landmark Life Insurance, United Parcel Service, Atmos Energy, Texas Bank, and Citizens National Bank.
The top three donors were: Brownwood Regional Medical Center with pledges of $22,000; 3M Company with $69,747 in pledges; and Kohler Company with $72,475 in pledges donated. “Some of these donations were given a dollar at a time by employees”, stated Lynch, stressing the importance of donations of any amount.
The Guest Speaker was Dr. Vicki Vaughn of the Jackson Center at Howard Payne University. Dr. Vaughn stated that by giving to this campaign, “…we are saying ‘Thank You’ for doing what we individually cannot do.”
Speaking of her own daughter benefiting from Red Cross Life Guard training and certification, she was able to help lifeguard at camps across the country, saving what she estimated as hundreds of lives over the years. Dr. Vaughn explained how she had asked her daughter how many of those victims actually thanked her for rescuing them, to which her daughter lit up with emotion replied, “Only one.” She said that the little boy came up about 15 minutes after being pulled out of the water, and said, “Thank you for saving me.”
This reminded Vaughn of the Bible story of Jesus healing the ten lepers. Only one of the ten stopped to thank Jesus for healing them. “We are here today to say, Lord, count us as that one,” stated Dr. Vaughn with a smile. She reminded the crowd that “We are but ripples in a pond.”
Photo of Atmos Energy Employees receiving their recognition award.