United Way of Northwest Alabama
OPEN YOUR HEART
LEND YOUR MUSCLE
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
History of United Way of Northwest Alabama
1930s
Organized efforts to provide charitable assistance to needy
families in the community date back to at least 1939 with the formation
of the Community Chest of Tuscumbia, later known as the Tuscumbia and
Rural Welfare Organization.
Early 1940
Community Fund and Community Chest organizations were active
in both Colbert and Lauderdale counties.
Dec. 5, 1955
Lauderdale County United Fund, Inc. Articles of Incorporation filed by Clyde W. Anderson, President. The new organization’s purpose is to “broaden” scope [of the previous organization and create a] “broader membership.”
July 15, 1958
United Fund of Colbert County, Inc. was incorporated. Gorman Jones was Chairman and Wilder Watts was Secretary of the Board of Control.
Aug. 11, 1971
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation (above) provided that “in case of dissolution (of Colbert & Lauderdale County United Funds; separate actions) residual assets (shall be) turned over to one or more organizations which are themselves exempt . . . (and) shall in that event be used for and devoted to the purposes of carrying on a non-profit purpose . .”
Apr. 5, 1974
United Way of Lauderdale County, Inc. Name changed by amending
Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. Signatories are Wayne D.
Rutledge, President, and Charles L. Frederick, Jr., Secretary, prepared
by Arnold Teks and notarized by Arlene C. Wisdom.
Apr. 25, 1974
United Way of Colbert County, Inc. Name changed by Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and Constitution. Signatories include Billy Don Anderson, President, and George Williams, Secretary. William T. Johnson, Jr. prepared and notarized the document.
Nov. 3, 1981
United Way of Franklin County, Inc. Articles of Incorporation
filed by
Horace Sanders, David Walters and Michael Maddox “to assure by means of
leadership and action that the people of Franklin County are
continually provided with an efficient and effective network of human
care services…”
March 23, 1984
United Way of the Shoals Area, Inc. Formed by consolidation of
separate
United Ways of Colbert and Lauderdale counties. Signatories:
Colbert Lauderdale
Ronald C. Meeks, President
Charles E. Moore, President
Frank J. Donsbach, Sec.
Tyler Calhoun, Sec.
(Action toward consolidation began in February, using the interim name
of “United Ways of Colbert and Lauderdale Counties,” with Robert M.
Guillot as President and William H. Martin III as Secretary.)
September 17, 2001
United Way of Northwest Alabama, Inc. Formed by merger of
United
Way of Franklin County, Inc. with and into United Way of the Shoals
Area, Inc. The merger agreement prepared and notarized by Tim Corley,
Attorney at Law is signed by:
Shoals Franklin
Mickey Haddock, President
Gena Habig, Chief Volunteer
Lowell Held, Board Member
Kenny Hurst, Volunteer
Bill Lucas, Board Member
Ben Guyton, Volunteer
Give Now
Why wait to give to United Way of Northwest Alabama? Helping your community has never been easier!
Our Goals to Giving
For an individual, it would be nearly impossible to research the needs of the community, review a non-profit organization's financial data, take a tour of the facility, and interview the executive director and board of directors to find out how your gift is being used every time you wanted to give money to help someone. But for United Way, this is how we do business. At United Way, local volunteers take care to invest your donation well. United Way of Northwest Alabama doesn’t just “give” your money away, we use facts to make decisions about investing donor funds in community programs only after spending a great deal of time researching each program, visiting the organization, meeting with staff members, and carefully reviewing the program’s financial data. As a contributor, you can be assured that the programs funded by United Way of Northwest Alabama are being held to high standards of program and financial accountability, and that these programs are working diligently to improve lives advance the common good of our community.
Our Commitment
WE CARE
Our staff and volunteers live and work in this community. We face the
same fears and celebrate the same successes as each of you. We put our
hearts and hands into making this community a better place in which to
live.
WE ARE TRUSTWORTHY
We adhere to stringent standards of accounting and financial reporting
and set high standards of conduct.
WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE
Volunteers review budgets and interview agencies to make sure that your
contributions are spent on what really matters - impacting community
needs to improve lives.
WE ARE LOCAL
We focus our resources and services on the needs of people who live and
work in Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale Counties. More than 99 cents
of every dollar raised here stays here.
Three Things You Can Do
1. GIVE: The workplace campaign is the easiest and one of the most powerful ways to invest in your community. You can also make an individual contribution at any time. For more information, including planned giving options, please contact our office at 764-5892 or email bhaddock@uwshoals.org.
2. ADVOCATE: You can make change happen with your voice. Get informed.
Tell your friends. Write a letter to the editor. United Way needs
people who are passionate about education, financial stability and
health issues to make some noise. To learn more about the Live United
Movement, visit www.liveunited.org
3. VOLUNTEER: United Way of Northwest Alabama has numerous volunteer
opportunities available within our organization, as well as within our
partner agencies. Whether you’re a young adult, a busy professional, or
a senior citizen, we can find just the right fit for you!
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