Nearly 200 community leaders gathered at the Clarence E. Morgan Recreation Complex in Springfield to celebrate the launch of United Way of the Coastal Empire’s 2027 Community Fund campaign in Effingham County.
The event brought together nearly 200 community leaders to kick off the annual fundraising effort, which aims to raise $5 million to support programs and services across the region, according to a community announcement.
Campaign focuses on hidden needs
The campaign is led by 2027 Effingham County Campaign Chair Jeannie Lane of Queensborough Bank, who emphasized the importance of shining a light on needs that are often overlooked.
"This year, United Way of the Coastal Empire's Community Fund Campaign theme is Shine a Spotlight,” said Lane. "It invites us to look closer at
the needs of our community that are often hidden in plain sight, the nonprofits doing the hard work every day, and our neighbors who may be one unexpected challenge away from needing help."
This year’s campaign will focus on increasing support for the Community Fund, which helps United Way respond to the region’s most pressing needs and invest in solutions that strengthen local communities. All funds raised will be reinvested across the five-county region.
Pacesetter businesses lead the way
Sixteen local businesses launched early employee giving campaigns as Pacesetters, helping United Way begin this year’s campaign with $843,265 already pledged to the Community Fund, according to the announcement. Participating businesses include BankSouth, Chatham Steel, Colonial Group Inc., Critz Auto Group, Dixie Plywood and Lumber Co., Effingham County Board of Education, Liberty County Board of Education, Peeples Industries Inc., Pembroke Advanced Communications, Pinnacle Financial Partners + Synovus, Reiser & Reiser, Savannah Speech and Hearing, Senior Citizens Inc., Sterling Seacrest Pritchard, Thomas & Hutton and United Way of the Coastal Empire.
"The Community Fund gives us the flexibility to look across our entire region, understand where the greatest needs and opportunities are and bring the right people to the table," said Kimberly Waller, United Way of the Coastal Empire president and CEO. "Together, we can invest in solutions that address immediate needs while also creating lasting change in our communities."
Clarence E. Morgan Community Spirit Award honors Rebecca H. Boston
United Way presented the Clarence E. Morgan Community Spirit Award to Rebecca H. Boston in recognition of her decades of service to children, families, seniors and vulnerable residents in Effingham County.
Boston began her career as a caseworker with Chatham County DFCS and went on to serve as director of Effingham County DFCS and, later, multi-county director for Effingham, Bulloch and Bryan counties before retiring in 2012. She helped establish Effingham Family Connection in 1992 and played an instrumental role in strengthening United Way’s presence in Effingham County.
Effingham County Board of Education Awards
United Way also presented the annual Effingham County Board of Education Awards. This year’s honorees are:
- Creekside Elementary School – Chairman's Award for the highest increase in giving from the previous year (100% increase)
- STARS - Rincon – Caring Cup for the highest percentage of staff participation (53%)
- Rincon Learning Center – Generosity Award for the largest per-person campaign contribution ($256 average)
The kickoff event was presented by Evans General Contractors and sponsored by Effingham Health System, Georgia-Pacific and Georgia Power. In-kind sponsors include the Effingham County Board of Commissioners, Effingham County Board of Education and the Effingham Herald.
To learn more about the 2027 campaign, the Community Fund or United Way of the Coastal Empire’s work across the region, visit uwce.org.
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This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: United Way kicks off campaign to shine a light on needs
