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HISTORY OF THE UNITED WAY OF RUTHERFORD & CANNON COUNTIES:

Chartered as the “United Givers Fund” in 1956, the new organization raised $36,000 in its first year. That was four times more than the local Community Chest raised the year before in 1955. Chartering board members of UWRCC were Cecil Adams, Clyde Fite, Earle Rees, Donald Knight, Jack Weatherford, John Bragg, Hollis Donnell, Ellis Gray, Sam Lasseter, Frank Clardy, Bernard Goldstein, W.E. Landers, Q.M. Smith, J.D. Swartzbaugh, and J.J. Jewell, Jr. Three of the founding board members were present to celebrate United Way’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2006.

In 1956, the United Way partnering agencies consisted of the following: Council of Social Agencies, Bradley cafeteria, Crichlow cafeteria, McFadden cafeteria, United Defense Fund, Travelers Aid, Bradley Nursery, Franklin Heights Nursery, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and USO. Among its current 48 partners, United Way has funded Bradley Nursery, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts consistently throughout its existence.

In 1982, the United Givers Fund was transformed into the United Way of Rutherford County under the leadership of Dot Harrison, the first female board chair. The organization began serving Cannon County in the early 1990s, and in 2005 the name changed to United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

The United Way grossed $100,000 in 1968, $1million in 1991, and $2 million in 1999. The largest amount ever raised was reached in February 2008: $2.67 million. Throughout its history, the agency has only fallen short in raising the community fundraising goal six years. The 51-year-old organization has only had five staff Presidents, with the first female President being named in March 2007.

Today, the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties takes pride in being comprehensive, transparent, and accountable to both the donors and the partnering agencies.

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