The United Way of Cullman County raised $451,954 over the past year, helping support its 16 partner agencies that serve the community.

At the United Way’s annual meeting at TP Country Club Wednesday afternoon, outgoing Board Chair Pepper Hoover spoke about some of the fundraising and volunteer work that the organization has done in the community over the past year, including two Crawfish Boils that were hosted by the United Way Young Professionals, a record-breaking Depot Day crowd and the successful Day of Caring that saw volunteers working around the community.

She said United Way also rallied the community to help areas in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean that were struck by hurricanes. 

Hoover said the United Way raised $17,865 to send to those areas for relief, and the community also responded when a local disaster struck.

After the March hailstorm that saw hundreds of homes and vehicles damaged, United Way mobilized the community and local auto glass repair shops to create a windshield voucher program to help 132 local families who could not afford to repair their windshields after the storm, she said. 

“We saw an unmet need in our community, and found a way to help individuals get back to work, transport their kids to school or get to the grocery store,” she said. “Our community is still recovering from that damage, but I am so proud of the way that we were able to step up and help those folks.”

The meeting also featured the establishment of a new community service award that was given to Roy Drinkard, who has served on several foundations and boards over his many years of helping support the community.

Beginning next year, the Roy Drinkard Community Service Award will be given to a person in the community who demonstrates the commitment and character of Drinkard, Hoover said.

Many companies and organizations support the United Way every years, and some of their biggest contributors were recognized in the meeting.

The top 10 workplace campaigns were Walmart Distribution, Publix, Rehau, Rusken Packaging, McGriff Industies, Wallace State Community College, Topre America, the Cullman County Board of Education, Louisiana Pacific and Cullman Primary Care.

After Hoover passed the gavel to incoming board chair Steve Moore, he made sure to thank everyone who helped the United Way’s raise more than $450,000 in its annual campaign.

“This is your United Way, and every one of you has helped us make a difference in our community,” he said. “Thank you so much for everything that you guys have done to help us have a successful campaign this year. We’re looking for bigger and better things this coming year.”

United Way of Cullman County supports the following agencies: 4-H Clubs of Cullman County, the American Red Cross Cullman Chapter, the Cullman County Commission on Aging, Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled, Daystar House, Easter Seals, First Call for Help, Foster Grandparents & Senior Companion Program, Girl Scouts, the Good Samaritan Health Clinic, Hope Horses, Hospice of Cullman County, the Pilot Light House, Saving Forgotten Warriors, Victims Services and the Youth Advocate Program. 

Tyler Hanes can be reached at 256-734-2131 ext. 138.