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 21st Annual Darrel Chaney Invitational, a 2-day Celebrity Event will take place on April 10th and 11th, 2023. 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.
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.
We welcome Nick Green to our event for the first time this year. Nick had an outstanding 8 year Major League career with the Braves, Rays, Yankees, Mariners, Red Sox, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Marlins. Nick is now a TV Analyst for the Braves on The Fox Sports Network.
Nick was selected by the Braves in the 1998 draft and spent 4 years in the minors, making his debut in May of 2004 against the Brewers. He batted .273 with the Braves.
Many would have seen Nick on Fox Sports in recent times covering the Braves games. On July 2nd, 2004, Green hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning to lead the Braves to victory over the Boston Red Sox.
We are pleased to have former Georgia Bulldog QB Great, Eric Zeier, joining us this year for the first time. Eric finished 7th in the Heisman voting in 1994.
Over his four years at Georgia, Eric Zeier completed 877 of 1461 attempts for 11,153 yards, 67 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions.
Eric went on to play 6 years in the NFL. First drafted by Cleveland Browns, he continued on to the Baltimore Ravens and then Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before coming back home to Atlanta.
Since retiring from the NFL, Eric is now the Analyst on radio for all the Dawgs games and is a Regional Sales Leader for Academy Mortgage Corporation.
