• By Todd Luck
• Posted Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Forsyth County employees raise $15,276.51 for United Way

Forsyth County employees raised $15,276.51 for the United Way of Forsyth County during a workplace campaign in October.

County employees contributed through pledging money, which largely involved payroll deductions. They also contributed through county-wide and department-wide fundraisers.

"This year the Forsyth County United Way Committee was filled with enthusiasm and creativity throughout the campaign.” said Campaign Co-Chair Donna Merrill with Forsyth County Human Resources. “Each committee member was committed to working hard to ensure this year's campaign name, ‘Bridging Resources, People, and Lives - Forsyth United’ was truly reflected. The committee took great pride and honor in celebrating 100 years of United Way's efforts to meet the needs of our community."

County departments created their own fundraising events. These included raffles and selling baked goods, soup, sweets, desserts and other types of food.

The campaign ended with a lunchtime finale event, held on Oct. 31, which featured silent disco and food trucks. There was also employee costume and karaoke contests judged by Deputy County Managers Damon Sanders-Pratt and Shontell Robinson, County Commissioner Tonya McDaniel and United Way Director of Donor Relations Charlie Ross. The Costume Contest winners were Johan Quintero Cruz whose pharaoh costume won first place, Shannon Griffith as Morticia took second and Karen Ramirez’s alien abduction was third place. Online photo contest winners were Linda Glenn for her Urkel costume and Debbie Zimmerman for her flapper costume. First place karaoke was Susan Brooks-Moore, second place was James Nichols and third place was Barbara Knotts.

“On behalf of United Way of Forsyth County, we would like to express our gratitude to all the participants of this year's Forsyth County Employee's United Way campaign.,” said Ross. “United Way of Forsyth County relies on the generosity of local donors to provide valuable resources to community members. Without the support of Forsyth County employees, United Way wouldn't be able to continue the valuable work of supporting community members in need. The Forsyth County campaign is fun and engaging and we look forward to working with them every year!”

United Way of Forsyth provides funding for various local non-profits like Experiment in Self-Reliance, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont, Family Services, the Salvation Army and many others.

United Way is one of only two organizations the County participates in fundraising campaigns for, the other being the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

For pictures from the campaign finale, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB1GPc.