United Way of Greene County: Stepping Up During Hurricane Helene
When Hurricane Helene swept through our region, few residents realized just how central the United Way of Greene County was to the local response and recovery effort. Behind the scenes, the organization played a vital role in coordinating resources, supporting key partners, and ensuring that help reached those who needed it most.
Assisting AIDNET
A major part of the response happened through AIDNET - a volunteer-driven disaster response network designed to activate only when emergencies strike. Under normal circumstances, AIDNET has no paid staff, which keeps costs low. But when a crisis unfolds, it suddenly requires people to handle daily operations, communication, and logistics.
United Way of Greene County stepped in immediately. Staff from the local United Way office worked inside AIDNET, often working every single day alongside volunteers. This support allowed AIDNET to:
◦ Coordinate relief efforts with local agencies.
◦ Communicate community needs to state and national partners
◦ Distribute resources quickly and efficiently to affected families
• In part, because of United Way’s daily involvement, AIDNET was able to amplify Greene County’s voice on a much larger stage while still staying laser-focused on meeting urgent local needs.
Backing First Responders:
Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad
Another critical partner during Hurricane Helene was the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad—a nonprofit first-responder organization that handles everything from automobile accidents to swift-water rescues. In times of disaster, the Rescue Squad is on the front lines, risking their safety to protect our community.
What many people don’t realize is that over 60% of the Rescue Squad’s operating budget comes directly from local United Way contributions. Without this ongoing support, the Squad would struggle to maintain the trained
Connecting Food Resources Across Greene County
United Way of Greene County regularly convenes meetings with churches, food pantries, and community groups to share information and coordinate efforts, ensuring that every available food resource in Greene County is working together to reach families in need.
personnel, equipment, and readiness needed to respond effectively in emergencies.
A Community Ready to Answer the Call
Hurricane Helene underscored a powerful truth: when disaster strikes, United Way of Greene County is more than a fundraiser - it’s a lifeline. By providing staff support, mobilizing volunteers, and funding essential firstresponse services, United Way ensures that our community has the resources to weather the storm—literally and figuratively.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers, Greene County was able to respond swiftly and effectively. The impact of those efforts will be felt long after the floodwaters recede.
• Contact Information
United Way of Greene County, Inc. 115 Academy St., Greeneville, TN 37743
423-639-9361
www.unitedwayofgreenecounty.com
Local dollars, trusted decisions, lasting impact!
1
Your money stays local. Your gift supports your neighbors and lifts up our whole local community.
2
We do the homework for you about where your gift can do the most good. We find the unsung heroes you’ve never heard of. We check them out and make sure your gift is invested wisely.
3 Your gift makes a difference. The programs United Way supports make a real difference, break through repeating cycles, and change lives forever.
United Way of Greene County, Inc. is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Your generosity not only helps create lasting change in our community - it may also qualify as a tax-deductible gift. Please check with your tax professional for details.
Make A Donation
What is the best option for you?
• $20/month
1 hour’s pay/ month: In Greene County, the current average hourly pay is a few cents under $20/hour. A full-time job is about 170 hours/month. Would you please consider giving just one of those back to your community?
• $80/month
half day’s pay/month: At $20/hour, 4 hours is $80/month. There are about 22 work days per month. Does half a day’s worth of work per month seem like a good amount to give to great programs right here in Greene County?
• Custom Amount/month
We don’t know what your situation is. If you would rather commit to more or less than the options above, please choose any amount that works for you.
Supporting Education
Sequoyah Council of Scouting USA
Instills values in boys that will prepare them to make ethical choices throughout life. 423952-6961
Total 2025 Allocation: $10,000
Boys and Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County
Provides after school and summer programs that inspire and empower youth. 423-7879322
Total 2025 Allocation: $27,000
CASA of Northeast TN
Assigns volunteers to be child advocates in juvenile court cases.
423-461-3500
Total 2025 Allocation: $10,000
The Children’s CenterScholarship Program
Provide childcare scholarships for needy families. 423-638-5589
Total 2025 Allocation: $44,500
Family Resource CenterGreene County Schools
Partners with parents, community leaders, and educators to solve and prevent the diverse problems facing children and their families. 423-930-0454
Total 2025 Allocation: $11,000
Family Resource CenterGreeneville City Schools
Serves as a link between schools, students, and their families to improve potential for educational success. 423-787-8000
Total 2025 Allocation: $5,000
Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians
Enables girls to become responsible women, teaching social and life skills. 1-800-474-1912
Total 2025 Allocation: $7,000
Family Resource Support Through Home Visits
United Way of Greene County funds home visits conducted by the Greene County Schools Family Resource Center, bringing guidance, educational support, and direct assistance to families where it’s needed most.
Improving Health
ALPS
Provides caregiver respite by caring for disabled and elderly patients, including those with cognitive impairments. 423-525-5773
Total 2025 Allocation: $3,000
Child Advocacy Center
Comforts and protects victims of child abuse in the 3rd Judicial District. 423-422-4446
Total 2025 Designations/Grants Only
Total 2025 Allocation: $9,000
Greene County Cancer Program
Assists with transportation and supplemental nutrition costs for residents receiving treatment for cancer. 423-639-9361
Total 2025 Designations/Grants Only
Frontier Health - Nolichuckey
Holston Area Mental Health Center
Provides crisis, mental health, alcohol and drug abuse services. 423-639-1104
Total 2025 Allocation: $7,000
Mountain Region
Speech and Hearing Center
Offers treatment for speech, language, hearing and related disorders. 423-246-4600
Total 2025 Allocation: $2,500
YMCA Member and Camp Scholarships
Provides scholarships for qualified lowincome youth and family participants. 423-639-6107
Total 2025 Allocation: $12,000
Providing Basic Needs
American Red Cross
Aids disaster and fire victims, assists with armed forces emergency services and disaster/first aid education. 423-863-0194
Total 2025 Allocation: $9,000
Greeneville-Greene County
Community Ministries/Food Bank
Provides assistance with food, shelter, utilities, and other necessities in an emergency or crisis situation. 423-638-1667
Total 2025 Allocation: $5,000
Opportunity House
Provides temporary lodging to the homeless while offering job skill training, counseling and other assistance. 423-638-4099
Total 2025 Allocation: $5,000
Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad
Provides emergency first-responder services throughout Greene County. 423-638-3431
Total 2025 Allocation: $60,000
Greene County Cancer Program
Fully Funded by United Way
Through the Greene County Cancer Program, United Way helps cover the cost of transportation to medical appointments and provides nutritional supplements for local cancer patients, helping them stay healthy and focused on recovery
Sustaining Income
CHIPS Family Violence Shelter
Provides shelter and services to victims of domestic violence. 423-743-0022
Total 2025 Allocation: $3,500
Personal Support Services
Assists with self-sufficiency and prevents institutional placements of neglected or abused individuals. 423-461-8202
Total 2025 Allocation: $9,500
Foster Grandparent Program
Pairs limited income seniors with at-risk children. 423-639-8462
Total 2025 Allocation: $23,000
Serving Local People
Donations made to United Way of Greene County STAY in Greene County.
Only 1¢ of every dollar raised goes outside of the community each year to pay state and national dues.
Did You Know?
United Way of Greene County Inc. is the ONLY organization in Greene County doing these things?
• Providing administrative support to AIDNET of Greene County.
• Supporting over 60% of the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad’s budget.
• Convening regular meetings with churches and groups providing food resources in our county to share information.
• Administering and fully funding the Greene County Cancer Program providing transportation assistance to appointments and nutritional supplement for local cancer patients.
• Funding home visits through Greene County Schools Family Resource Center.
• Providing child care scholarships for working, income-qualified parents and grandparents.
LOCAL DOLLARS • TRUSTED DECISIONS • LASTING IMPACT
United Way of Greene County, Inc.
115 Academy Street
• Greeneville, TN 37743 423-639-9361
Special Program Grants
In 2025, United Way of Greene County will fund special programs serving specific needs in Greene County.
Debusk Volunteer Fire Department Rehabilitation
For First Responder Rehabilitation services to all Greene County emergency personnel, professional and volunteer.
Total 2025 Grant: $4,500
Stan Ritter Fund at the Greene County Schools
Family Resource Center
Provides special one-time funding for needs that cannot be met with any other resources.
Total 2025 Grant: $1,010 (donor designated funds)
Tabernacle Mission Soup Kitchen
To supplement food costs as the program grows and serves weekly meals to more than 200 residents of the Wesley Heights community in Greeneville.
Total 2025 Grant: $4,500
Greene LEAF Magic Book Bus
To provide books for county school children during the summer.
Total 2025 Grant: $3,000
Administrative Backbone During Crisis Response
During and after Hurricane Helene, United Way of Greeneville delivered crucial administrative support to AIDNET, enabling the disasterresponse network to operate efficiently, track resources, and address local needs quickly.
Engaging Seniors in Local Classrooms
United Way funds a program that places senior citizens in local schools as teacher helpers, giving students additional attention and fostering meaningful intergenerational connections.
Child Care Scholarships for Working Families
Recognizing that reliable child care is essential for employment, United Way provides scholarships to income-qualified parents and grandparents so they can work or attend training while their children receive safe, quality care.
Sustaining Emergency & Rescue Services
More than 60% of the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad’s funding comes directly from United Way, ensuring trained responders and critical equipment are available to the community 24/7.
United Way Pillar Society 2024
The United Way Pillar Society is a recognition program for individuals and households who make personal gifts of $500 or more annually to the campaign. United Way leadership givers contribute more than 35% of all campaign dollars raised each year.
The six giving levels are:
• The Alexis de Tocqueville Society - $10,000 and more
• The President’s Society - $5,000 - $9,999
• The Governor’s Society - $2,500 - $4,999
We are proud to recognize the following local members of The Alexis de Tocqueville Society.
THE ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY
• Bob and Ivy Leonard (30) Leonard Associates, LLC
• Stan and Sue Ritter (30)
Individual Gift
• Dr. Andy A. Roberts (22) Physician
• Richard H. Roberts and Imogene King (30)
Individual Gift
• Tweed Family Foundation (15) Foundation Gift
PRESIDENT’S SOCIETY
($5,000 - $9,999)
• Rodney and Emily Bell (25)
Individual Gift
• Kent and Bettye Anne Bewley (21)
Individual Gift
• Scott M. and Nikki Niswonger (29) Niswonger Foundation
• Dr. Lindy Riley (14)
Individual Gift
GOVERNOR’S SOCIETY
($2,500 - $4,999)
• Butch Cremins (2) Enbridge
• The Pioneer Society - $1,000 - $2,499
• The Founder’s Society - $500 - $999
When a donor makes a minimum gift of $500 per year, he or she becomes a member of this recognition program and his or her name appears in the annual Leaders Register at the appropriate giving level. The number in parentheses following the name of each member represents their number of years of membership in the Pillar Society. This is the 30th year of the United Way of Greene County Pillar Society.
• Al and Kathy Giles (30)
Individual Gift
• Brandon and Paige Hull (30) Andrew Johnson Bank
Greeneville Federal Bank
• Eric and Kelli Johnson (8) Landair
• Gale and Vicki Maddy (17)
Individual Gift
PIONEER SOCIETY
($1,000 - $2,499)
• Randy Bowers (10) Landair
• Philip Bradley (11) Greeneville Energy Authority
• Anne Burgbacher (1)
Individual Gift
• Paul and Ruth Burkey (7)
Individual Gift
• Alan Corley (28)
Corley’s Pharmacy
• Thomas W. Diehl, Jr. (1) Publix
• Drs. Dan and Pat Donaldson (15)
Individual Gift
• Theresa Earl (17)
Individual Gift
• Carolyn Fittz (1)
Unaka Corporation
• Gary and Nila Funk (16)
Individual Gift
THE ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY
Alexis de Tocqueville, an aristocratic Frenchman, came to the United States in 1831 to study the penal system. As a result of his travels and interviews with leading politicians, lawyers, bankers, and settlers, he wrote the two-volume Democracy in America which was published in 1835 and 1840.
Perhaps his most important observation was that Americans helped each other in time of need. He saw volunteerism as a way of life that was typically American.
United Way Worldwide chose the name Alexis de Tocqueville when forming this special group of donors who contribute $10,000 or more to the annual campaign. We are proud to recognize the following local members of The Alexis de Tocqueville Society.
• Thomas Garland, Sr. (30)
Individual Gift
• Anonymous (3) Publix
• Steven K. and Sarah Harbison (23) Greeneville Real Estate and Auction Team
• Daniel Hawk (2)
Consumer Credit Union
• William Garrett Hensley (5)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Anonymous (4) Publix
• Dr. Scott Hummel (5) Tusculum University
• Derry D. Jewell (7) Publix
• John and Joyce Johnson (1)
Individual Gift
• Gregg K. Jones (30)
Individual Gift
• John M. Jones, Jr. (30)
Individual Gift
• Anonymous (14)
Niswonger Foundation
• Art and Martha Masker (22)
Individual Gift
• Anonymous (1) Publix
• Frank and Paige Mengel (14)
Greeneville Energy Authority
Tusculum University
• Ron Metcalfe (5)
WGRV/WIKQ/WSMG Radio Greeneville
• Eugene Miller (1)
Individual Gift
• Dr. Charles and Carrie Montgomery (23) Physician
• Ceili E. Owens (1) Publix
• Tony and Kim Ottinger (10) First Horizon
• Gary and Wendy Peay (20) United Way of Greene County
• Matthew K. Renner (10) First Horizon
• Michael and Laura Ritter (18)
Individual Gift
• Anonymous (1) Publix
• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Roberts (2)
Individual Gift
• Mrs. Lloyd Saulsbury (29)
Individual Gift
• Anonymous (7) Publix
• Andrea Shelton (1) Publix
• Karen Simmering (9)
Elevance
• Anonymous (6) Publix
• Jana Solomon (4)
Individual Gift
• Wolfgang and Victoria • Spendel (4)
Individual Gift
• Gerald and Karen Striph (1)
Individual Gift
• Dwayne Wells (10) Greeneville Energy Authority
• Chuck and Sheri Whitfield (23)
Individual Gift
• Jason and Rachael Wilkerson (7)
Quality Construction & Electric
Rachael’s Hair Design
• Whitney Winter (2) MECO
• Christopher J. Wolff (1) Publix
FOUNDER’S SOCIETY
($500 - $999)
• Anonymous (30)
Accountant
• Terry and Rose Bellamy (30) Individual Gift
• Stacy Bolton (10)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Charles and Wanda Bowers (22)
Individual Gift
• Caleb Brown (1)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Nathan Brown (2)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Scott Bullington (21)
Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville/Greene County
• Mike and Nancy Burns (17) Greeneville Federal Bank
• Tom Campbell (10)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Bobby and Evelyn Carter (2)
Individual Gift
• Shawna Carter (1)
Publix
• Tara Catterson-Brougham (1)
Publix
• Shawn Collins (3)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Carolyn Cooter (2)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Emily Cotton (1)
Publix
• Lynn Doty (8)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Jamie Eutah (1)
Publix
• Misty Kite-Fezell (10)
Farm Bureau Insurance
• Dr. Michelle Freeman (3)
East Tennessee State University
• T. J. Freshour (6)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Yancey and Amy Harrison (20)
Greeneville Federal Bank
• Hayden Hartman (1)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Jesse Lee Higgins (2)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Kenneth and Sherry Hood (24)
Attorney
• John Huffstulter (3)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Scott Jenkins (5)
The Greeneville Sun
• Helena Z. Jones (22)
Individual Gift
• Robert Keller (7)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Patricia Kirk (5)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Renata Knuckles (1)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Amanda Lawing (1)
Publix
• Marcus Light (8)
Greeneville Energy Authority
LEADERSHIP BY FIRMS, ALPHABETICALLY
• Jack Lister (17)
Greeneville Community Hospital
• Ken Little (2)
The Greeneville Sun
• Dale Long (25)
The Greeneville Sun
• Chris Miller (4)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• John and Beth Morrell (1)
Individual Gift
• Tom and Ellen Mroczko (16)
Individual Gift
• Dr. Michael and Jeanne Odell (28) Physician
• Trandon Ottinger (4)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Summer Peters (2) Greeneville Energy Authority
• Loren Plucker (1) Accountant
• Vincent Prisciandaro (1) Publix
• Wendell Rambo (7)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Laney Ricker (1)
Publix
• Joyce G. Shelton (1)
Individual Gift
• Nicholas G. Shelton (15)
Parker Hannifin
• Cody Shultz (2)
Greeneville Energy Authority
• Randy Sizemore (4)
Andrew Johnson Bank
• James Smith (3) Donaldson Company
• Malinda Stuart (1) Frontier Health
• Andie Talbert (3) Greeneville Energy Authority
• Rick and Rebecca Tipton (21) Greeneville Federal Bank
• Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Ward (29)
Individual Gift
LEADERSHIP BY FIRMS, NUMERICALLY
