United Way of the Coastal Empire kicks off 2027 campaign Campaign Chair Cecilia Tran Arango…
SPRINGFIELD, Ga. (Sept. 16, 2026) — United Way of the Coastal Empire kicked off its 2027 Community Fund campaign in Effingham County on Wednesday at the Clarence E. Morgan Recreation Complex, bringing together nearly 200 community leaders to celebrate the start of this year’s fundraising efforts led by 2027 Effingham County Campaign Chair Jeannie Lane of Queensborough Bank.
“This year, United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Community Fund Campaign theme is Shine a Spotlight,” said Lane. “It invites us to look closer at the needs of our community that are often hidden in plain sight, the nonprofits doing the hard work every day, and our neighbors who may be one unexpected challenge away from needing help.”
This year’s campaign will focus on increasing support for the Community Fund, which helps United Way respond to the region’s most pressing needs and invest in solutions that strengthen local communities. United Way announced a dedicated Community Fund goal of $5 million at the kickoff. All funds raised will be reinvested across the five-county region.
Sixteen local businesses launched early employee giving campaigns as Pacesetters, helping United Way begin this year’s campaign with $843,265 already pledged to the Community Fund. Participating businesses include BankSouth, Chatham Steel, Colonial Group Inc., Critz Auto Group, Dixie Plywood and Lumber Co., Effingham County Board of Education, Liberty County Board of Education, Peeples Industries Inc., Pembroke Advanced Communications, Pinnacle Financial Partners + Synovus, Reiser & Reiser, Savannah Speech and Hearing, Senior Citizens Inc., Sterling Seacrest Pritchard, Thomas & Hutton and United Way of the Coastal Empire.
“The Community Fund gives us the flexibility to look across our entire region, understand where the greatest needs and opportunities are and bring the right people to the table,” said Kimberly Waller, United Way of the Coastal Empire president and CEO. “Together, we can invest in solutions that address immediate needs while also creating lasting change in our communities.”
In addition to launching the campaign, United Way presented the Clarence E. Morgan Community Spirit Award to Rebecca H. Boston in recognition of her remarkable career and legacy of service to others. Boston has dedicated decades to serving children, families, seniors and vulnerable residents in Effingham County. Boston began her career as a caseworker with Chatham County DFCS and went on to serve as director of Effingham County DFCS and, later, multi-county director for Effingham, Bulloch and Bryan counties before retiring in 2012. Her commitment to service continued well beyond her professional career, including helping establish Effingham Family Connection in 1992 and playing an instrumental role in strengthening United Way’s presence in Effingham County. Throughout her years of service, Boston has helped bring organizations and community leaders together, secure resources, develop programs and build partnerships addressing needs ranging from literacy and hunger to health care, housing, seniors, children and families.
United Way also presented the annual Effingham County Board of Education Awards. This year’s honorees are:
- Creekside Elementary School – Chairman’s Award for the highest increase in giving from the previous year (100% increase)
- STARS – Rincon – Caring Cup for the highest percentage of staff participation (53%)
- Rincon Learning Center – Generosity Award for the largest per-person campaign contribution ($256 average)
This year’s Effingham County kickoff event was presented by Evans General Contractors and sponsored by Effingham Health System, Georgia-Pacific and Georgia Power. In-kind sponsors include the Effingham County Board of Commissioners, Effingham County Board of Education and the Effingham Herald.
To learn more about the 2027 campaign, the Community Fund or United Way of the Coastal Empire’s work across the region, visit uwce.org/campaign.
