Gentry United Way kicks off its fund-raising year

— GENTRY - The following fact sheet provides information about the Gentry United Way in 2012:

Gentry United Way by the numbers

22 - Number of years the Gentry United Way has raised and given money to help people in the Gentry School district;

54 - Number of different agencies who have received money during that time;

90 - Number of local people that have served on the board;

$76,000 - Most money allocated in one year, 2006;

$45,000 - Least money allocated in one year, 1992;

$58,000 - Allocated for 2011;

$65,000 - Goal for 2012;

$1,367,298 - Amount of money allocated during the 22 years;

77 percent - Amount oftotal dollars which came from McKee Foods and its employees since 2005;

$182,677 - Gentry High School Scholarship Fund (has received money every year);

$114,313 - Gentry Youth Organization (has received money every year);

$112,409 - Gentry Fire Department;

$91,956 - Gentry Public Library;

$89,429 - Main Street Gentry;

$79,445 - Total Life Community Center (has received money every year);

$73,358 - Gentry Band Boosters (has received money every year);

$66,907 - Gentry Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization;

$64,817 - Pioneer Athletic Boosters;

$42,506 - Highfill Fire Department (Gentry United Way helped the department get started and gave moneyfor equipment for the first 12 years)

The Gentry United Way is the only United Way in the area not a part of the Northwest Arkansas United Way Though the local United Way considered joining the larger agency, many of the Gentry receiving agencies do not fit the criteria established by the larger United Way organization.

Gentry United Way has always been committed to helping people from the Gentry school district. Some of the agencies are not traditional but play an important role in the community.

The Gentry United Way campaign began in 1988 and continues today with the idea of people giving $1 a week, a simple philosophy that has served the organization well.

Information in the above numbers sheet was provided by the Gentry United Way.

United Way Organizations

The local United Way serves non-profit agencies working within the Gentry School District. Following is a list of those local agencies: Arkansas Support Network; Benton County Sunshine School; Dogwood Literacy Council; Gentry Band Boosters; Gentry Elementary School PTO; Gentry Fire Department; Gentry High School Academic Booster Club; Gentry Masonic Lodge; Gentry Public Library; Gentry Youth Organization; Gentry High School FBLA; Gentry High Scholarship Committee; Gentry Middle School Booster Club; NWA Head Start; Main Street Gentry; Arkansas Crisis Center; NWA Rape Crisis, Inc.; Pioneer Booster Club; Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County; Office of Human Concern; Gentry Senior Activity Center; The Manna Center; Total Life Community Center.

Community News, Pages 8 on 10/12/2011