Local United Way begins new fund drive for 2010

— The Gentry United Way plans to distribute $63,750 to 22 notfor-profit agencies during 2010, according to Bev Saunders, Gentry United Way president.

Fourteen of those agencies are Gentry based or Gentry school organizations, and they will receive 80 percent of the United Way pledges.

“I’m very proud of the way Gentry supports its United Way,” Sauders said. “We are the only independent United Way agency in Benton and Washington Counties. All the other towns andgroups have merged into one United Way. It’s not easy to continue to raise these funds, but thanks to those who contribute every year, Gentry has been able to keep its own United Way and its money right here in our community. That is so important to us. We can make sure our high school seniors get scholarships, our youth organization gets funding, and our community celebrates Freedom Fest,” she said.

Local agencies that will receive funding are Gentry Band Boosters, Gentry Elementary PTO, Gentry Fire Department, Gentry High School AcademicBoosters, Gentry Masonic Lodge, Gentry Public Library, Gentry Youth Organization, Gentry FBLA, Gentry Scholarship Committee, Gentry Middle School Booster club, Gentry Head Start, Main Street Gentry Association, Pioneer Athletic Booster Club and the Gentry Senior Activity Center.

Anyone who would like to contribute can send their contribution to United Way of Gentry, P.O. Box 425, Gentry AR 72734.

Jim Twiggs remains the Gentry United Way director for 2010. Jessica Sims will serve as the organization’s secretary and treasurer. Other board members are Jessica Sims, Norman Koeller, NormanBarker, Marsha Scherer, Dan Erskin, Meredith Renfroe, Denise Waters, Gayla Wilmoth, Fred Rosborough, Andrea Tun and Brandy Stell.

More information can be found online at uwgentryar.org.

News, Pages 3 on 02/24/2010