For the second consecutive year, the United Way of the Flint Hills ended its annual fundraising campaign with a total well above original expectations.
During the annual campaign celebration Thursday afternoon inside the Bowyer Community Building, United Way Leadership announced that this year’s campaign managed to raise $541,00, above the $500,000 goal. Coupled with last year’s total, which also surpassed $500,000, the campaign has brought in over $1 million in donations over the last two years to support community partners in seven counties.
United Way Board Chair Scott Hayes says these numbers say a great deal about the local community.
Outgoing Drive Chair Yahaira Diaz says she is humbled and proud of the work done over the past year.
More than the money raised, Diaz, a member of the local Latin community, says she is proud of the representation her time as drive chair brought to the Hispanic population.
This year’s campaign was the final under the leadership of outgoing executive director Daphne Mertens, who summed up the last two years of work in a single word, “Proud.”
Mertens added that the future of the United Way is very bright with Whitney Johnson now taking over the helm of the agency as Executive Director. Johnson, who came on board near the tail end of this year’s campaign, says that while she only had about a month to observe the operations, Johnson says she feels very confident and excited about what is ahead.
Hayes tells KVOE News the United Way has been extremely “blessed” with great leadership in the past and is so again in the present, thanks to the contributions of Mertens and the upcoming work of Johnson.
In addition to unveiling this year’s campaign total, the United Way also bestowed its annual list of awards to the following organizations.
The Lynn Cunningham Spirit Award: USD 253 Emporia Public Schools
The Steve Sauder Give Until it Feels Good Award: Hills Pet Nutrition and Simmons Pet Food
The inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award: Earl Clark
As has become tradition in recent years, during her remarks as outgoing drive chair, Diaz announced the chair for the coming campaign season, Emporia native Aaron Larson.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE NewsÂ
