The United Way of Athens-Limestone County on Tuesday celebrated its accomplishments over the past year at the agency’s annual luncheon.

The event, held at the Rogers Center at First Presbyterian Church, paid tribute to United Way’s community partners, board members and those who simply strive to improve the community.

“It’s my joy to recognize a group of people who have the vision and wherewithal to set goals for the United Way as we translate those to our agencies,” said Kaye Young McFarlane, executive director of United Way.

She described the previous year as “incredible,” with the agency having met its financial goals while strengthening existing programs and developing new ideas. All efforts to help the community revolve around the agency’s vision — “to be a leader in our community where all individuals and families achieve their potential through education, which leads to financial stability and healthier lifestyles.”

Educational programs

With education being the cornerstone of the agency’s work over the past year, McFarlen explained how that shaped goals over the previous year. For example, the agency’s annual Stuff the Bus book drive has collected more than 24,000 books for local schools since it began four years ago. The most recent drive brought in more than 14,000 books.

The books, which are distributed to all public and private schools in Athens and Limestone County, are used to stock libraries and as reading incentives for children.

In a related vein, two United Way agencies — 4-H of Limestone County and the Learn to Read Council — have partnered on a program called Reading Buddies. The program pairs up a child who may need to strengthen his or her reading skills with a high school student.

United Way has also developed what McFarlen calls a “Speaker’s Bureau” where professionals from the community go into schools and talk about what they do for a living with students. McFarlen said she got the idea after asking a group of Ardmore students what they wanted to be when they grew up only to hear them say, “marine biologist.”

“It was because a marine biologist had spoken to them the week before,” she said. “I thought, ‘What if those kids had been exposed to baking, agriculture, welding, engineering or medicine?’”

She explained the agency would continue its efforts to support other educational initiatives, including robotics in the schools and any form of education that focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

Comic relief

Tuesday’s featured speaker was Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, who briefly donned a red nose as a plug for Red Nose Day, set for May 25. Marks entertained those in attendance with a few unusual anecdotes from his nearly seven years as the city’s chief executive.

Marks recalled driving back to Athens from Montgomery where he was working with others on a $400 million project to bring Remington to Huntsville. He received a call from Holly Hollman, the city’s grant coordinator and communications specialist, about a duck at the duck pond with a bad oil gland.

“Now grew up in Clements and started toting a 20-gauge shotgun when I was 12 years of age. I said, ‘Let me tell you what to do with the duck,’” Mark said. “Holly said, ‘Mayor, don’t talk about animals or children.’”

Marks said a temporary home was found for the duck during the winter months. And to show he meant the duck no ill will, he even offered to hold a parade for the duck when it returned to the duck pond.

Another animal story shared by the mayor involved a pot-bellied pig being kept by a resident on Fifth Avenue. Despite the pig’s owner calling the pet a therapeutic pig, Marks said ownership of the pig was not permitted by zoning ordinance.

Marks said a letter was sent to U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions regarding the matter, and Sessions sent a letter back voicing support for the pig and questioning why “we’re so mean in the city of Athens.”

The mayor worked to find a foster home for Einstein, the pot-bellied pig. It was eventually relocated to a farm in Hazel Green where the owner was permitted to visit the pig on a weekly basis.

“Yet another tough issue in the life of a mayor resolved,” Marks said with a laugh.

Recognitions

Lastly, McFarlen recognized businesses in the community who assist the United Way financially or through support for programs.

Steelcase and the Steelcase Foundation were both honored for their corporate contributions to the agency each year. McFarlen said the agency was particularly helpful following the tornadoes in 2011 and 2014 that devastated the county. Steelcase also aided the recent mental health housing project on Elm Street.

United Way also recognized the Athens Publix store and its manager, Mike Willis. The store not only encourages employees to give to United Way, but also helps local food banks with its Food for Sharing drives.

“They are a huge part of giving,” McFarlen said. “We’re grateful to Publix and the work they do in our community.”

The agency also presented a recognition to The News Courier for reporting on United Way and its partner agencies.