United Way of East TN Highlands will kick off its annual fundraising campaign August 5, 2021. The kickoff event will be held in the parking lot behind HomeTrust Bank at 1907 N Roan Street. Project BBQ, a current “Best of Johnson City” nominee will be on-site for the luncheon. The event is sponsored by Truist, Kim and Keith Holley, the United Way Board of Directors, and in-kind donations.
“We are excited to kick off this year’s campaign with an amazing amount of community support,” says Leslie Salling, President and CEO of United Way of East TN Highlands. The United Way campaign runs from August 2021 to December 2021. The donations from the campaign will be given back out to local nonprofit organizations that help to strengthen the health, education and financial stability of everyone in our community.
Attendees of the kickoff will participate in an impact project that will help family members staying with a loved one at the hospital in an emergency situation. “Many people in this situation don’t have time to grab essentials, so we are making sure they have some toiletries and other items to give them comfort during a hard time. We also want to help ease the stress of our healthcare workers,” says Salling.
This year’s Campaign Chair, Lester Lattany, is a familiar face to United Way. In 2001, Lattany led the campaign from a volunteer standpoint and followed that with 14 years as the President & CEO of the organization before retiring in 2016. Lattany said, “I look forward to working with our United Way as we work to provide resources to touch the lives of so many in our service area. The opportunity to work with many who have given their time, talents, and possessions to serve as a bridge to our children, adults, seniors, and those in need of the special care afforded by United Way is quite a privilege and responsibility. We will work diligently to assure that this United Way will continue the legacy of caring that has been exhibited from 1933 until today. Please help us as we ‘Build a Bridge to the Future.’”
Joining him in his volunteer efforts this year are more than ten past campaign chairs who are ready to be a part of building a bridge to the future of United Way as they dedicate their time to teaching and leading new, up and coming members of the United Way campaign team. A full release of the campaign team members is expected to come soon.
For more information about the kickoff and the campaign please contact Leslie Salling at 423-220-1229.
About United Way of East TN Highlands
Serving Washington, Carter, Johnson and Southern Sullivan Counties, our goal is to break the cycle of poverty by uniting people and resources to strengthen the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community. Our vision is to be a community united to empower every person and organization to reach their full potential and achieve mor. For more information about United Way of East TN Highlands, please visit www.UnitedWayETNH.org.