PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION
Due to the current status and protocols required because COVID-19 and since the venues of Bigg Daddys Tavern Grill and the Holiday Inn Express Suites in Helen, Georgia are so important to our fund raising efforts, the Darrel Chaney Invitational Celebrity Golf Event has now been scheduled for August 16 through 17th 2021.
Please follow the happenings for our event here at www.unitedwaywhitecounty.org .
We all are looking forward to your participation for this wonderful event. Thank You!
The Darrel Chaney Invitational Committee.

With the cancellation of the United Way Darrel Chaney Golf Invitational this year, there is still a way you can support the great work of United Way of White County and the Darrel Chaney Invitational.
Darrel Chaney, was a member of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds and the Big Red Machine, and Jay McCollum of New Bremen, Ohio, along with the United Way of White County in North Georgia have created a Bobblehead for Darrel in conjunction with his Golf Tournament charity event. All proceeds from the sale of the Bobblehead will benefit the United Way of White County. This program is sponsored, in part, through the generosity of David Shannon, of Shannon’s Lamp Service in Lexington, Kentucky.
In 2018 Jay also assisted the family of Wally Post, Reds Hall of Famer, in creating a Bobblehead that benefited the Cancer Association of Mercer County in Midwestern Ohio. Great work Jay.!
This year Jay is back again combining with the reputable MLB licensed company, Forever Collectibles. The photo of the Bobblehead is for an example purpose only, however the often seen photo of Darrel Chaney in full flight for the Cincinnati Reds, was Darrel's own choice for the Bobblehead design, completed by Jay just recently.
We feel they will be a great and unique collectors item and a way you can still support the Darrel Chaney Invitational. The payment process uses Paypal however you do not need a PayPal account to buy, just select, 'Check out as Guest' when asked.
Please note: These are in production right now and are expected to be shipped around April 2021 and there are limited numbers left, so don't wait. !
The United Way of White County is hosting events to benefit its mission of directly funding more than a dozen not-for-profit organizations serving thousands of people in the community.
The United Way of White County’s major fundraising event, The Darrel Chaney Invitational Celebrity Golf Tournament, was canceled this year amid complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. To make up for the more than $60,000 the golf event raises, the United Way of White County will host an auction from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, on the campus of the Sautee Nacoochee Center. This auction will feature autographed sports memorabilia, as well as gift certificates, merchandise and prize packages from area businesses. Guests will have a chance to browse and bid through silent auctions, as well as a live auction scheduled for 5 p.m.
During this unprecedented time, the United Way of White County is relying the generosity of the community it serves. Your support is appreciated and will touch many lives in a meaningful way.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
With these uncertain times and, with great regret, the major sponsors of our event and our United Way volunteer committee have decided this year’s 18th Annual Darrel Chaney Invitational, which was re-scheduled for August 24th and 25th will be cancelled. It is the most responsible thing we can do at this time. Next year’s event is scheduled for April 19th and 20th . Please mark your calendars.
Gift card and item donations for our auction and raffle will still be auctioned off at other United Way fund raising events during the remainder of this year. Watch for the announcements. Items not auctioned off will be put out for auction and raffle at next year’s event. As we all know, United Way of White County, GA and the 18 agencies that benefit from this event are in dire need of funds. We are so thankful that our title sponsor, GunBroker.com and Steve Urvan, for allowing us to keep his monetary donation. We are hoping all will follow the example set by Steve.
However, we understand these times are difficult for everyone. So, if you have made a donation and would like to be refunded, please contact Judy Granger at 706-892-6507 or, Bill Sutton Jr. at 706-244-6717. You can also still send donations for 2020 to: United Way of White County, GA PO Box 1288 Cleveland GA 30528. It would be greatly appreciated.
We truly appreciate the support of our local community and companies from around the country we have had over the years. Good Lord willing, we will be able to have this most needed event next year and it will be better than ever! Thanks to all!
Darrel Chaney
Chairman

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.
United Way of White County has topped its 2020 campaign goal of $85,000 thanks to a final push from a $5,000 grant from the Rotary Club of White County.
That means the local United Way will be able to allocate $85,000 to not-for-profit organizations that enrich thousands of lives in White County. Requests for allocations must be received by Friday, Jan. 3.
United Way of White County traditionally counts on such annual events as the spring Darrel Chaney Invitation Charity Golf Tournament (the 2020 edition of which is set for April 13 and 14) and the Christmas season Festival of Trees for much of its budget.
The 2020 campaign has reinvigorated participation by local employers in voluntary payroll deductions. Leading the way in the public sector are White County government and schools, while private-sector contributions are spearheaded by United Community Bank.
United Way furnishes direct funding to more than a dozen not-for-profit organizations serving the people of White County. Agencies
receiving United Way of White County funding in 2019 include: Community Helping Hands Clinic, White County Caring & Sharing, Boy Scouts of America Northeast Georgia Council, Caring Hands Ministries, Circle of Hope, Family Promise of White County, White County Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity of White County, Rape Response Inc., Charles Smithgall Humane Society, White County 4-H, White County Food Pantry, South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, Enotah CASA Inc. and Sisu of Georgia Inc. Integrated Early Learning.
United Way of White County is greatly appreciative of 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. Embodying the spirit of “The Power of One,” United Way of White County recognizes that giving takes a little but means a lot, helping to deliver meaningful results in improving lives right here in White County.
The United Way of White County funding allocation application for all organizations is published here and must be received by January 3rd 2020. There will be no exceptions.
You will find an application here with the link below, please download it. The packages can be mailed in to PO Box 1288, Cleveland; dropped off to Beth at Carl S. Free, Attorney on the square; or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Program Application 2020 
With a theme of “The Power of One,” United Way of White County has kicked off its 2020 campaign today [Friday, Oct. 25], unveiling a thermometer sign showing a fundraising goal of $85,000 to help enrich thousands of lives in White County.
The local United Way already has gained backing of White County government and schools, as well as numerous businesses, in its payroll deduction effort and is continuing its outreach throughout the community.
In recent years, United Way of White County has depended upon annual events such as the spring Darrel Chaney Invitation Charity Golf Tournament and the Christmas season Festival of Trees for most of its budget, which furnishes direct funding to more than a dozen not-for-profit organizations serving the people of White County.
In its 2020 campaign, United Way of White County is engaging local employers, seeking funds via employee payroll deductions, as well as corporate contributions.
Agencies receiving United Way of White County funding in 2019 include: Community Helping Hands Clinic, White County Caring & Sharing, Boy Scouts of America Northeast Georgia Council, Caring Hands Ministries, Circle of Hope, Family Promise of White County, White County Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity of White County, Rape Response Inc., Charles Smithgall Humane Society, White County 4-H, White County Food Pantry, South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, Enotah CASA Inc. and Sisu of Georgia Inc. Integrated Early Learning.
Through these not-for-profits, United Way of White County meaningfully touches more than 20,000 lives a year.
Special appreciation to the White County School District, Superintendant Dr. Laurie Burkett and, in particular, White County High School metals and welding instructor Mark Adams, for quite literal support efforts. Adams voluntarily fabricated the frame for the thermometer goal sign, which is to be alternately displayed between the south side of Cleveland’s Courthouse Square and the northwest corner of Main Street and Helen Highway.
United Way of White County greatly appreciates all support, through monetary gifts; investments of time, services and materials; and prayers. Embodying the spirit of “The Power of One,” United Way of White County recognizes that giving takes a little but means a lot, helping to deliver meaningful results in improving lives right here in White County.