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United Way of Highway 55 awarded 16 area nonprofits a total of $60,000 during an awards ceremony held Aug. 16 at Common John Brewing Company.

Donations this year were up from $40,000 last year and go to nonprofits from Coffee, Moore and Warren counties.

Michelle Carmack, Board Vice-Chair/Allocations Chair, said the mission of the organization was to strengthen and support the vital mission of local nonprofits.

“All of you are making significant differences in the lives of the people you serve,” Carmack said.

“We believe in the power of community, we believe in your collective impact on the lives of children, family, seniors and those in need across the county,” she said.

“We are not just supporting programs, we are investing in hope, change and the betterment of our entire community,” Carmack said.

This year’s focus was children and hunger. Two allocations of $10,000 were given to two of the 16 nonprofits; $5,000 were given to four nonprofits and $2,500 went to six and $1,250 when to the remaining four nonprofits.

Highway 55 Board Chair Michelle Simmons said United Way of Highway 55 aids local nonprofits in other ways from help grant writing to help securing volunteers.

The United Way of Highway 55 allocations committee, made up of local community and Board members, reviewed applications and conducted interviews with each agency.

Of 25 nonprofit applicants, the committee chose 16 nonprofit partners to help fund.

Ashley Abraham, Director of United Way of Highway 55, states “Our goal is to allocate more funds every year to local nonprofits. Raise more so we can give more. We are making history allocating $60,000, as that amount is the most United Way of Highway 55 has ever allocated. This is all thanks to those that entrust us with their donated dollars.” Introducing our 2024-2025 Partner Nonprofits:

The 2024-25 Partners include:

Warren Co. Meals on Wheels who delivers meals and coordinating needed services to the elderly.

Horseplay Inc. that provides a recreational horseback riding program designed to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical and/or intellectual challenges.

CASA Works Inc. who recruit, train and supervise volunteers to be Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused children in Juvenile Courts. Haven of Hope provides proactive, curative, and preventative measures against domestic and other violent crimes and program provides emergency shelter and support services to victims of domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Lincoln, Marshall, and Moore counties in Middle Tennessee.

Warren County’s Children’s Advocacy Center-31st Judicial District works with children reported as suspected victims of child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse or neglect, drug exposed, or witnesses to violence.

The Hope Center of Warren County provides a place to provide HOPE for those who seek to live a better and more productive life through recovery and the teaching of life skills.

Child Development Center in Shelbyville provides quality early intervention services to families of young children with developmental delays or a disability.

Moore County Senior Center provides programs and activities for senior health, education and wellness.

Moore Co Resource Center

Tullahoma Bridges Out of Poverty which works to empower communities and individuals in overcoming the challenges of the under-resourced, and to arouse hope for positive change starting with the Tullahoma area and reaching out to the world.

Coffee County Child Care Center provides quality childcare in a secure facility at affordable rates.

This year’s allocation’s committee included the Carmack, Simmons, Ashley Franklin, Monty Hawkins, Gloria Humphrey, Katie Crowell, Katie J. Guthrie-Shearin, Bertha Smith, Shellee Nunley, Amanda Johnson and Rebecca Wright.

For more information or to donate go to highway55unitedway.org. Contact Abraham at Director@highway55unitedway.org or call (931) 455-5678.