By Bill Grubb

ROGERSVILLE — Concerns voiced by volunteers last month gave way to congratulations Wednesday as the United Way of Hawkins County’s fund drive reached, and surpassed, the campaign goal.
    During the final report meeting it was announced the campaign had netted $183,282.90.  
    At the October 29 report meeting the campaign stood at 30 percent of the $165,000 goal.
    “To come from just about 30 percent to what we have today is fantastic.  This wouldn’t happen without everyone in Hawkins County pulling together,” said Michelle Maddox, president of the local United Way board.
    Maddox also congratulated Tammy Clevinger, of First Community Bank, and Rebecca Byrd, of Rural Health Services Consortium, who served as campaign co-chairmen.
    “You two did such a great job and brought some new ideas.  I hope we can keep you around for next year,” Maddox said as she presented Clevinger and Byrd with plaques.
    “We couldn’t have done this without you,” Clevinger said.
    Although the fund drive surpassed their original goal, the campaign has not officially ended in order to allow some final contributions to come in.
    The local United Way provides funds for 16 agencies and organizations including:
    •Boys and Girls Club of Hawkins county  
    •The American Red Cross of Northeast TN
    •CEASE Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
    •Chip Hale Center
    •Church Hill Rescue Squad, Inc.
    •Community Aid Services
    •Girl Scouts of the Appalachian Council, Inc.
    •Hawkins County Firemen’s Association (12 fire departments)
    •Hawkins County Health Department
    •Hawkins County Mental Health Center
    •Hawkins County Rescue Squad
    •M.A.T.S. (Ministerial Association Temporary Shelter)
    •Mountain Region Speech & Hearing Center, Inc.
    •Of One Accord (The Shepherd’s Center)
    •Sequoyah Council, Boy Scouts of America
    •211/Contact Concern of Northeast Tennessee, Inc.
    This is the 53rd year for the United Way, organized as the Hawkins County Community Chest on February 13, 1956.
    The name was changed to the United Way of Hawkins County in the early 1970s.