The United Way of Leflore County is gearing up for its second annual All-In Event on Thursday at the Greenwood Country Club.
“Last year, we didn’t know what to expect, and it turned out to be a full day of fun and excitement,” said Courtney Kimmel, executive director of United Way. “This year, the weather is looking great. We have great auction items and bingo prizes. Our draw down will be done electronically, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
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Cannon Motors of Mississippi is the title sponsor for the event, which is the main fundraiser of the year for the United Way.
“We are grateful to them and all of our sponsors for supporting the United Way,” said Kimmel. “We can’t operate this event without sponsors. For being a small town, we have a lot of great local support.”
The United Way of Leflore County is a fundraising organization for 11 local nonprofits: Beacon Harbor, Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club in Greenwood, Community Food Pantry, Delta Grace, Girl Scouts Heart of the South, Greenwood Interfaith Ministries Community Kitchen, Fuller Center for Housing, Leflore County 4-H Clubs, Leflore County Humane Society and Salvation Army.
“The 11 agencies we serve are ‘All-In’ in their commitment to make an impact in our community through the programs and services they offer,” said Kimmel. “This event is ‘All-In’ as a one-day fundraiser with multiple ways for the community to do their part in helping us fund these local agencies and make Greenwood a better place to live.”
Almost 40 other sponsors are also contributing, and many local retailers have donated items to the silent auction.
“The fact that we have 39 local businesses sponsoring this event shows the commitment that our community has to the United Way of Leflore County,” said Jeff Hardin, event chairman. “We encourage everyone to come out on Sept. 28 and support our efforts to help fund local nonprofit agencies.”
A golf tournament will kick off the event at 1 p.m. All 19 golf teams have registered and been filled by generous local sponsors.
Multiple prizes will be given out such as Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, Hole-In-One, Most Accurate Drive, and a putting contest — all made possible by sponsors.
Golf team sponsors include: Cannon Motors of Mississippi, America’s Catch, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., Capital City Beverages, Mitchell Distributing, Viking Range, Staplcotn, Mississippi Valley State University, Wade Inc., Planters Bank, Trustmark Bank, KT Builder, Upshaw, Williams, Biggers and Beckham, Cotton Belt Aviation, Barnes Janitorial, Southern Tire, Bank of Commerce, Waste Pro and Upchurch Plumbing.
Kimmel said one more spot is available for the golf tournament. A team consists of at least four people, and it costs $1,000 to sponsor a team.
Bingo, called by Lisa Cookston, will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. inside the Greenwood Country Club and will feature prizes and appetizers.
A silent auction, a draw down and entertainment will be held from 5:30-8 p.m., complete with food and drink. Tickets are sold at the door for $25 each, and a ticket includes one free drink and food. A cash bar will be available as well.
A limited amount of draw down tickets are still available. Tickets are $100 each, and the grand prize is $5,000 with eight additional prizes given out throughout the event.
The silent auction will feature more than 100 items, including four Park Hopper tickets at Disney World; a one-week vacation at a three-bedroom, two-bath condo in Orange Beach, Alabama; paintings by local artists; guns; pottery; a football signed by Archie Manning; a helicopter ride; an airplane ride and much more.
Last year’s event featured 18 golf teams, 30 in attendance for bingo and more than 200 attended the evening festivities. The inaugural event raised $47,000.
“Last year’s first All-In Event was a great success,” said Clifton Thach, United Way of Leflore County president. “With the extra money that United Way raised, we were able to increase our overall allocation budget for 2017. With the community’s support, we will do even better this year.”
The goal this year is to raise more than $50,000.
“The All-In Event is an opportunity not only for the United Way to raise money but also to expose the community to our primary purpose, which is supporting each of these 11 agencies,” said Kimmel. “The board of directors is focused on making an impact here in Leflore County by helping to fund these agencies that depend greatly on money from the United Way.”
Also sponsoring the event this year are Taylor, Powell, Wilson & Hartford; Heartland Catfish; the City of Greenwood; Greenwood Leflore Hospital; Kimmel Aviation Insurance Agency; Regions Bank; Wilson & Knight Funeral Home; Aviation Services; Raymond James; Mid-Delta Auction; Edward Jones; RC Construction; Powers Properties; GCC Ladies Association; Waste Pro; Provine Helicopters; Ainsworth Signs; Kix 92.7; Lawrence Printing and Hammons & Associates.
To learn more about the event or to purchase a draw down ticket, call 453-1910 or email uwoflc@yahoo.com.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
Thursday
1 p.m Golf tournament
4:30-5:30 p.m. Bingo
5:30 p.m. Silent auction, food, drinks and entertain- ment begins
6:30 p.m. Draw down begins
7 p.m. Silent auction closes
8 p.m. Festivities wrap up
The event will be held at Greenwood Country Club. For more information, contact the United Way by phone at 453-1910 or by email at uwoflc@yahoo.com.
