Brenda’s Story
When it first happened, Brenda Walker didn’t tell anyone for over a month. She kept the news to herself after her doctor diagnosed her with retinal disorders, knowing that it would eventually cause her to lose her full sight and…
Giulia’s Story
“Even as much as you try to have playdates, go to the library or find activities, there’s a gap between school years that is hard to fill in our family’s capacity,” Sabrina Jones, mother of Giulia, incoming second-grader. As an…
Spirit of Philanthropy Award: Craig Harney
Quiet legend. Gifted storyteller. Humble soul. Kindred spirit. It’s hard to find an individual who can be described by so many other people with so many positive adjectives as they use about Craig Harney. Then again, it is hard to…
What is 2-1-1?
United Way's 2-1-1 is a trusted, confidential community resource that provides direct assistance or referrals to the services that people need. People reach out to 2-1-1 daily asking for a wide range of help. A call could be about anything…
Deborah’s Story
Deborah Jackson dropped out of school at 16-years old, and after a near-death experience has been in long term recovery from drug addiction ever since. Her children have diplomas hanging in her mother’s house, which inspired Deb to earn her…
The Kenkels’ Story
Tom and Tammy Kenkel found out while pregnant that their daughter Emily was prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome. While most people would find their worlds turned upside down, instead, they immediately reacted from the news by trying to establish their…
Patricia’s Story
Patricia Gardner was stuck in a job where she had limited growth, was barely making ends meet, and was tired of the lack of compassion of those around her. So, she made a life-changing decision to work towards becoming a…
Caroline’s Story
At first glance, the Creech family look like any happy, beautiful, Southern family. If you look closely, you can see their grace is equally as strong as their grit as they’ve dealt with two children being born deaf, and turned…
Matthew’s Story
Driving down an almost unmarked winding dirt road, passing long and then longer grasses with birds playfully flying overhead, it seems like one is approaching an idyllic country scene. You’d expect to see horses, hear the buzzing wildlife, and smell a…