Lubbock United Way over half way to nearly $6 million annual campaign goal

October 18, 2018 | By Ray Westbrook, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Doug Hensley, chairman of Lubbock Area United Way’s 2018 campaign, announced Thursday at the Midway Report Luncheon that volunteers and contributors have pushed this year’s donations to nearly $3.9 million - about 65.6 percent of the year’s goal of $5,935,151.

“Everything looks great going into the mid-campaign report,” he told A-J Media. “We’re just over 65 percent, and we’ve got a lot of generous people who have helped us along the way. We still have some work to do, but things are going great right now.”

Glenn Cochran, chief executive officer, said, “Today’s a great celebration of what’s going on with the community and United Way. Everybody always asks, ‘How’s the campaign going?’ And so far so good. We know we’ve got a lot of work to do in the next month or so before we end up.”

Cochran said organizers are pleased with the campaign’s progress.

“We appreciate all the gifts that have come in already, and we appreciate all the volunteers that are working so hard,” Cochran said.

Hensley told a nearly standing-room-only audience of about 800 United Way supporters at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center that he is never surprised by the generosity of the people of West Texas.

“You are those agencies of hope that we hear talked about. We still have work to do - we’re not done yet,” he said. “We will gather in about six weeks for a victory report, and we will have a triumphant celebration together in this very place. So, I’m looking forward to that.

Hensley added, “I appreciate the fact that so many of you have picked up the challenge that we issued at the kickoff luncheon — that you choose to live united in your workplace, in your neighborhoods, and in your homes. So, please continue to go forward and shine light and continue to be an encourager and an agent of hope.”

United Way board chairman Tony Lloyd gave an update on the United Way’s inaugural “United We Read” event that paired volunteer readers with area school classes.

At 10 a.m. on Sept. 20, 517 volunteers visited 192 second-grade classrooms across Lubbock, Frenship, Lubbock-Cooper, Shallowater, and New Deal Independent School Districts.

During the event, volunteers read the book, “The Little Red Fort,” to 3,535 students and led activities based on the book.

Every student went home with a copy of the book.

The final campaign report luncheon has been scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 27 at the Civic Center. Volunteers and community members who wish to attend may reserve a place through email at events@unitedway-lubbock.org , or by calling (806) 747-2711.