Gentry’s United Way is kicking off its 2014 fund drive and celebrating 25 years of service to people in the Gentry community.

Gentry United Way is unique in that it is not a regional organization but a local one, and money given at home in Gentry stays at home in Gentry and is used to support local non-profit organizations and local projects which will benefi t Gentry area residents.

Gentry could have joined the regional United Way in Northwest Arkansas, but to do so would have made it impossible for many local non-profi t organizations to continue their work for area residents and youth.

To kick off the new funddrive year and help the United Way reach its $70,000 goal, Mayor Kevin Johnston, of Gentry, has issued a proclamation declaring Oct. 7 through 13 United Way Week in Gentry. On the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 13, Gentry will hold its seventh annual United Way Fall Festival to kick off the new fund-drive year.

Since its beginning in 1989, Gentry United Way has allocated nearly $1.474 million to assist people living within the Gentry School District. Fiftypercent of the money has gone to support youth activities in the Gentry area. Gentry United Way has also secured two $5,000 grants from the Walmart Foundation - one, to purchase software for the Gentry Public Library, and the second, to plant trees in the Gentry City Park. The organization also provided money for the entertainer at Gentry’s 100th community celebration this summer on the fourth of July.

Gentry United Way, most recently, provided the city of Gentry $35,000 in matching funds to construct new bathrooms in the city park.

To kick off the new funddrive year and continue assisting Gentry area residents, the Little Debbie Store in Gentry will donate 10 percent of its sales on Oct. 7 to the Gentry United Way, according to store manager Jim Twiggs.

News, Pages 1 on 10/02/2013