The United Way of White County is aiming to raise $90,000 to support local not-for-profit agencies in fulfilling their 2024 missions to enrich the lives of White County families and individuals.
“Having been blessed to deliver more than $3 million in funding over the past 40 years to not-for-profit organizations serving neighbors in need, the United Way of White County is most sincerely appreciative of the continuing selfless generosity shown by our community,” said Stacy Gray, the local United Way president.
Following a COVID-related hiatus, the United Way has resumed its voluntary payroll deduction program with employees of White County Schools and is making board members available to provide presentations to other local employers. Those interested may phone 706-348-7067.
The United Way of White County’s annual bucket drive is slated for Saturday, Oct. 21, with donations to be collected outside the Ingles Markets location at 55 Helen Highway, Cleveland, and at additional sites, including multiple highway crossroads.
Meanwhile, plans are advancing for the 22nd annual Darrel Chaney Invitational, chaired by former Major League Baseball player and 1975 World Series champion Darrel Chaney, to be held April 15-16 in Helen. The celebrity golf tournament and related functions traditionally constitute the United Way of White County’s leading fundraiser. Proceeds from the 2023 edition once again received a grant boost from The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands in the Community program.
The current $90,000 campaign goal is up from the $80,000 awarded in February 2023 to 14 not-for-profit entities, including Catalyst Christian Learning Center, Circle of Hope, Cleveland Care Center, Community Helping Hands Clinic, Enota CASA, Family Promise of White County, Habersham Homeless Ministries, Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia, Rape Response, South Enota Child Advocacy Center, White County Backpack Buddies, White County Caring & Sharing, White County Food Pantry and White County 4H.
Those wishing to learn more and/or make tax-deductible contributions to the current campaign may go to www.unitedwaywhitecounty.org on the Web. The 2024 funding application is to be available this fall on the same website.
PHOTO: Unveiling the United Way of White County’s 2024 goal of $90,000 are, from left, volunteer officers and board members Dr. Mark Griffin; Donald Harris; Dean Dyer; Paul Scott Abbott, secretary; Gene White; Angie Jarrard; Carol Powell; Susan Knox Cremering; Taylor Thomas; Lauren Williams, vice president; and Nathan Eason.
The United Way of White County has awarded 2023 funding totaling $80,000 to 14 not-for-profit organizations providing vital human services to the local community. Those receiving funding at a Feb. 23 reception were, in alphabetical order:
- Catalyst Christian Learning Center,

- Circle of Hope,
- Cleveland Care Center,
- Community Helping Hands Clinic,
- Enota CASA,
- Family Promise of White County,
- Habersham Homeless Ministries,
- Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia,
- Rape Response,
- South Enota Child Advocacy Center,
- White County Backpack Buddies,
- White County Caring & Sharing,
- White County Food Pantry, and
- White County 4H.
“Since it was established back in 1983, the United Way of White County has been blessed to furnish a total of more than $3 million to not-for-profit entities enriching lives of people of right here in White County,” Stacy Gray, president of the United Way of White County, said at an awards reception at the Roy Ash Jr. Community Building in Cleveland. “Following careful review of grant requests by a committee of community leaders, allocations are made in efforts to best address the most pressing needs.” The 21st annual edition of the United Way’s leading fundraising endeavor, the Darrel Chaney Invitational celebrity golf tournament, is slated for April 10 and 11 in Helen. This year’s plans also include an Oct. 21 bucket drive and, tentatively, a reimagined holiday Festival of Trees at Unicoi State Park & Lodge.
Photo: Representatives of recipients of United Way of White County 2023 funding include, from left: Jerry Brackett, White County Food Pantry; Fran Parks, Enota CASA; Shirley White, Habersham Homeless Ministries; Jeanne Coates, Rape Response; Gene White, Community Helping Hands Clinic; Nanette Baughman, Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia; Megan Holcombe, South Enota Child Advocacy Center; Valorie Davidson, Cleveland Care Center; Rachel Martin, White County 4H; the Rev. Dennis Turner, White County Caring & Sharing; Kristie Matthews, Catalyst Christian Learning Center; Donna Clark, White County Backpack Buddies; and Marcia Hamil, Circle of Hope.
United Way surpasses $80,000 goal, sets funding distribution for February 23rd 2023.
The United Way of White County has topped its campaign goal of $80,000, with distribution of funding to more than a dozen local not-for-profit organizations scheduled for Feb. 23rd.
“All of those who contributed to fundraising efforts cannot be thanked enough,” said Stacy Gray, president of the United Way of White County. “Your generosity enables continuing of decades-long tradition of support of vital human services for our community.”
Since establishment in 1983, the United Way of White County has furnished more than $3 million to not-for-profit entities enriching lives of people of White County. Following careful review of grant requests by a committee of community leaders, allocations are made in efforts to best address the most pressing needs.
The allocations reception, open to the public, is set for Thursday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m., at the Roy Ash Jr. Community Building, 89 E. Jarrard St., Cleveland.
The 21st annual edition of the United Way’s leading fundraising endeavor, the Darrel Chaney Invitational celebrity golf tournament, is scheduled to be held April 10 and 11 in Helen. This year’s plans also include a fall bucket drive and a reimagined holiday Festival of Trees at Unicoi State Park & Lodge.
Photo: United Way of White County board members celebrating topping of the $80,000 fundraising campaign goal are, from left, Angie Jarrard, Mark Griffin, Dean Dyer, Nathan Eason, Taylor Burrell, Denise Loggins, Mary Isbell, Donald Harris and Gene White.
Led by newly elected officers and an energetic volunteer board, the United Way of White County is preparing a fall kickoff for its 2023 campaign for funding of local agencies furnishing a wide range of human services.
“As the United Way of White County looks to celebrate 40 years of serving our neighbors in need, we are renewing our commitment to our community with development of exciting new functions while continuing the success of such events as the Darrell Chaney Invitational celebrity golf tournament,” said Helen hospitality executive Stacy Gray, the board’s new president.
“Since its founding in 1983, the United Way of White County has directed more than $2 million to not-for-profit agencies serving our community,” added Gray, whose professional roles include serving as assistant general manager of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Helen Convention Center. “We look forward to carrying on this tradition of providing a helping hand thanks to the abundance of generous support with which we’ve been blessed.”
In 2022, the United Way of White County is furnishing $75,000 in direct funding to 14 not-for-profit organizations, including Catalyst Christian Learning Center, Circle of Hope, Cleveland Care Center, Community Helping Hands Clinic, Enota CASA Inc., Family Promise of White County, Habersham Homeless Ministries, Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia, Rape Response Inc., South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, White County Backpack Buddies, White County Caring & Sharing, White County Food Pantry and White County 4-H.
The local United Way’s contingent of officers also includes restaurateur Lauren Williams, whose business interests include Cowboys & Angels and Cottage House Restaurant, as vice president. Serving as secretary is writer and consultant Paul Scott Abbott, while Denise Loggins, Georgia Farm Bureau’s White County office manager, has been re-elected treasurer.\
The volunteer board’s newest members are Dean Dyer, general manager of WRWH Radio, and Chuck Johnstone, principal of Sautee Rides & Transportation. Rounding out the 13-member board are Nathan Eason, Donald Harris, Mary Isbell, Angie Jarrard, Beth Kastner, Carol Powell and Gene White.
The 21st annual Darrel Chaney Invitational, chaired by former Major League Baseball player and 1975 World Series champion Darrel Chaney, is slated for April 10-11 in Helen. Proceeds related to the 2022 edition of the event include a $5,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands in the Community program, backing volunteer efforts of leadership of Jacky Jones Allstate.
Officers and members of the volunteer board of the United Way of White County include, from left, Donald Harris; Angie Jarrard; Gene White; Dean Dyer; Carol Powell; Paul Scott Abbott, secretary; Mary Isbell; Nathan Eason; Beth Kastner; Denise Loggins, treasurer; Stacy Gray, president; and Lauren Williams, vice president. Not present is Chuck Johnstone.
UPDATED
United Way of White County seeking applications for 2022 program funding.
The United Way of White County is seeking applications from local not-for-profit organizations for program funding for 2022, new deadline January 4th.
To receive direct support from the local United Way chapter, organizations must be incorporated as a not-for-profit entity for at least two years, provide human services to residents of White County and meet additional qualification criteria. Full details, including a downloadable application, may be found online at www.unitedwaywhitecounty.org (see below)
To be considered, applications must be received no later than Tuesday January 4th 2022, via mail at United Way of White County, P.O. Box 1288, Cleveland, GA 30528, or in person by Beth Kastner at the law office of Carl S. Free at 9 E. Jarrard St. on Cleveland’s Courthouse Square.
The United Way of White County, which has furnished funding to 15 not-for-profit organizations in 2021, has just topped its latest campaign goal to provide a total of $75,000 in support of delivery of human services to neighbors in need in 2022.
A volunteer allocations committee of community leaders plans to review grant requests in January, with awards to be announced in February.
UNITED WAY OF WHITE COUNTY: Program Application for 2022 Funding - UPDATED 
United Way of White County tops $75,000 goal with boosts from golf event, grant, bucket drive.
Thanks to the 19th annual Darrel Chaney Invitational golf event, including a grant from The Allstate Foundation, as well as a successful community bucket drive, the United Way of White County has surpassed its campaign goal to furnish $75,000 in support of delivery of human services to neighbors in need in 2022.
“The United Way of White County and the numerous not-for-profit entities to which we provide direct funding continue to be blessed with the generosity of so many, even in these uniquely challenging times,” said Wayne Hardy, editor and publisher of the White County News, who serves as president of the local United Way board. “With abundant appreciation to all, we look forward to maintaining our tradition of vital community support in the coming year."
Even though heavy rains prevented the playing of golf, proceeds from related events of the 19th annual Darrel Chaney Invitational – rescheduled from April to August due to COVID-19 – brought the current campaign near its goal. Providing the final push over the top is a $5,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation Helping Hands in the Community program, backing volunteer efforts of leadership of Jacky Jones Allstate. An Oct. 9 community bucket drive also garnered significant support, with motorists at busy intersections contributing more than $7,700.
Read more: United Way of White County tops $75,000 goal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Updated 4/25/22
The 22st Annual Darrel Chaney Invitational, a 2-day Celebrity Event will take place on April 15th and 16th, 2024. As always, the event benefits The United Way of White County Georgia and the 18 Agencies it supports. Over the years, this event has grossed well over $1million and provided funds for thousands of needy people in White County, Georgia.
Our celebrities in the past have been, Former Braves Players, Falcon Players, Hawks Players, Soccer Players, TV and Radio Personalities, Hockey Players, Tennis Players, and Former Olympians. Many are in their respective Halls of Fame.
The Event sells out every year so, please request to be a sponsor or enter a team in the golf tournament as soon as possible. Please note our Title Sponsor and supporting sponsors on this site. Many have been with us for the last 19 years! Just follow the tabs on this site to be a part of this great event.
Please come help us continue to help the needy in White County Georgia. I hope to see you there!
Darrel Chaney

United Way of White County is furnishing a total of $85,000 in 2020 funding to support 18 not-for-profit organizations in meaningfully touching thousands of local lives.
The 2020 direct funding, scheduled to be awarded Thursday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m., at the Roy Ash Building in Cleveland, comes following a committee of community leaders’ careful review of grant requests. Allocations aim to best address the most pressing needs of the people of White County.
Not-for-profits designated to share in United Way of White County funding for 2020 are (listed alphabetically):
- Boy Scouts of America, Northeast Georgia Council;
- Caring Hands Ministries;
- Catalyst Christian Learning Center;
- Charles Smithgall Humane Society
- Circle of Hope;
- Community Helping Hands Clinic;
- Enotah CASA Inc.;
- Family Promise of White County;
- Habersham Homeless Ministries;
- Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia;
- Rape Response Inc.;
- Sisu of Georgia Inc. Integrated Early Learning;
- South Enotah Child Advocacy Center;
- White County Backpack Buddies;
- White County Caring & Sharing;
- White County Food Pantry;
- White County 4-H; and
- White County Special Olympics.
United Way of White County greatly appreciates the opportunity to help in serving neighbors in need and is deeply thankful for all those who provide support, through monetary gifts; investments of time, services and materials; and prayers.