MOULTRIE – United Way of Colquitt County has kicked off its 2025 “Be A Game Changer, A Difference Maker” Campaign with the goal of raising $610,000.
“Today marks the beginning of our campaign season, a two-month journey of collecting donations and pledges from our community to support our local nonprofits,” said Lisa Vereen Zeanah, board chairman, at the kick-off breakfast.
Every year the organization sets a goal to raise money to support more than 40 programs through 20 local non-profit organizations. It works with corporate partners, large employers, major firms, small businesses sector and individual donors, which partner with local non-profits. These entities focus on three areas that the United Way has identified to help meet the community’s needs: education, health and financial stability.
“These organizations are doing tremendous work to assist our neighbors in need and to promote a better quality of life for all Colquitt County residents,” Zeanah said.
Zeanah recounted at last year’s kick-off event some history of the organization. It began as the United War Fund in 1943, Zeanah said, and turned into the Community Chest, then United Givers in 1953. In 1972 it became the United Way of Colquitt County.
At this year’s kick-off, 2025 Campaign Chairman Tyler Mobley said, “Our theme this year is ‘Be a Game Changer, A Difference Maker,’ which focuses on the impactful work we do and recognizes the individuals, organizations, and strategic moves that enhance the quality of life right here in Colquitt County.”
He said that raising $610,000 will support their ongoing efforts and allow United Way of Colquitt County to bring on two new partner agencies: Leadership Legends and Crossroads for Her.
“Last year alone, we invested over $591,000 into programming for 28 local non-profit organizations through 47 different programs, benefiting 38,419 of our most vulnerable neighbors,” Mobley said.
He also said that one of the organization’s key focuses this year is the United for ALICE project, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living for the county, he said.
“By 2022, 9,450 households (57%) were below the ALICE Threshold in Colquitt County,” Mobley said, including both those in poverty and working people who can’t make ends meet.
United Way of Colquitt County Executive Director Caroline Horne said that United for ALICE has the potential to help them in their future goals for assessing the real needs of the community.
“We have some new strategic and game-changing moves for our two big events, Day of Action and Bid United,” she said.
The United Way of Colquitt County’s 27th Day of Action will take place Sept. 25 and registration for volunteers is open now, online. The deadline to register in order to receive a t-shirt is Sept. 4. Register online at https://uwccga.org/doa.
Beth Bates, co-chair for this year’s Day of Action, along with her husband, Quentin, spoke at the breakfast about the event.
“United Way brings people together to engage in service projects benefiting local organizations. Volunteers from our community lend their time and talents to complete these projects and learn about the great work of our nonprofit partners,” she said.
The 2024 Day of Action projects include working at the American Red Cross, Arts Center of Moultrie, Boys & Girls Club, Colquitt County Schools’ Families in Transition Program, Colquitt County Food Bank, Children’s Cheer & Toy Shop, Crossroads Gospel Mission, Green Oaks Center, Hero House, The Humane Society, Special Olympics and the YMCA of the Georgia Sunbelt. Other projects include the Baby Packer Welcome Home Kits and the United Way Hygiene Hub Feminine Hygiene Product Project Outreach.
Dani Mobley, a co-chair for the Bid United online auction, wrapped-up the breakfast with information about the 5th Annual Auction for Action, which will be held Oct. 22-25.
“To rekindle the camaraderie that started Bid United back in 2020, we are partnering with Dough Boys Pizza and Bandwagon Brewing to host spirit nights,” she said. “These events will engage our community in the auction and give our partner agencies, donors, and community a chance to mix, mingle, and have fun while gearing up for the big auction.”
The first spirit night will be held Sept. 10, at Dough Boys Downtown, which will donate 20% of all sales at both of its locations, from 6 to 8 p.m., to United Way. There will also be a small auction during the event.
The second spirit night will be held Oct. 4, at Bandwagon Brewing Company, which will donate $1 from every pint sold that night, to United Way. They will also donate $5 for everyone that is playing SPINGO and there will also be a small auction held during the event.
For more information about United Way of Colquitt County, contact Caroline Horne at caroline@uwccga.org or visit the website at https://uwccga.org.