The City of Woodward employees raised $10,756 to benefit the United Fund of Woodward. In back from left are Ed Laird, Paul Ellis, Chris Crompton, Matt Lehenbauer, Middle from left are Kathryn Fanning, Doug Haines, David Smith, Mickie Parks, Cathy Coleman, Kim Lawrence, Mike Lowden, Shaun Barnett, and Kevin Kornele. In front from left Rochelle Covington receives a check from City Manager Alan Riffel. (Photo by Elise Solloway)

“Since 1957 the private sector has organized and administered social services through the United Fund. One financial gift, once a year, goes directly to agencies for the vital services that our local society needs for health, safety, education, and charity,” according to the United Fund of Woodward, Inc. in its pamphlet passed out to local businesses and individuals for its 2015 campaign.

This year’s United Fund goal is to raise $137,500 for the agencies it supports. Those agencies include Cimarron Council of Boy Scouts of America, Kids Inc., Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Northwest Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross, Northwest Oklahoma Literacy Council, Panhandle Nutrition Services, and Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma. The High Plains Outreach Center, Inc. is temporarily closed, but will receive funds upon its possible re-opening in the future.

The Executive Committee for the United Fund of Woodward’s Board of Directors includes Michelle Murray and Sandi Liles as co-presidents, plus Rochelle Covington, Laura Hayes, Melinda Brock, and Lisa Hoge. The Executive Secretary is Suzie Wheelock. The Campaign Drive Division Chairs include Bill Fanning, Laura Hayes, Brian Humphries, Misti Dunn, Kim Lawrence, Josh Boren, Scott Carlisle, BJ Williams, Tom Fisher, Deena Fisher, Shaun Barnett and Covington.

According to Wheelock, a live auction of several gift baskets and cash donations from passing the buckets took place at the Sept. 14 Chamber Luncheon and raised $2,362. A baked potato with chili dinner and bake sale on Sept. 22 at the Woodward Senior Center raised $1,858. A Wash for a Cause at the Tunnel Car Wash on Sept. 28 raised $400. The Poker Run on Oct. 10 raised $1,178. The Celebrity Waiter/Waitress Night at Big Dan’s on Oct. 27 raised $1,904. These fundraisers acquired $7,702 for fund drive.

Information/donation packets were taken to the local businesses, to gain United Fund donations. Employers can allow payroll deductions for individual employee donations. Several local businesses even held fundraisers and gave employee incentives to donate to the United Fund of Woodward.

The targeted deadline for donated funds and pledge cards to all be turned in is November 30,” Wheelock said. “A Donor Appreciation Luncheon will be held in December at the Woodward Conference Center.”

So far the drive has collected $52,893. That leaves $84,607 more to raise by Nov. 30. Those wanting to make a donation or to turn in business pledges/donations, may contact Wheelock by work phone at 580-254-2363 or stop by her office at Seiling State Bank in Woodward at 1424 Main.

Woodward News
By: Ellise Solloway Area Correspondent