The United Way of West Central Mississippi held its annual meeting Wednesday in Vicksburg and gave recognition to the many who contributed to the organization’s successes over the last 12 months.

Director of Marketing and Resource Development Alyssa Lick said this year’s deserving award winners included: Spirit of Vicksburg Award: Mutual Credit Union – given to the organization that represents Vicksburg’s unique essence, charm, and character through their work and support of United Way; Campaign Coordinator of the Year: Liz Johnson of International Paper – given to a person that serves as one of United Way’s campaign coordinators and goes above and beyond to make sure United Way is known in their workplace and encourages their colleagues to give to the cause; Leadership Award: Paige Payne of
Batesville Casket – given to a person who embodies what it means to be a servant leader; someone who is committed to the growth and well-being of the community, who prioritizes the needs of others and works to ensure that those needs are met; Scholarship Recipients: Grace Windham and Calise Henyard (Bruce Alan Ebersole, Jr. Memorial Scholarship) Addison Averett and A’Lon Drayton (Tre’Vion Jayden Gray Memorial Scholarship); Volunteer of the Year: Kelle Barfield; Community
Investment Committee Volunteer of the Year: Johnny Reynolds; Agency Director of the Year: Abraham Green with Warren County Habitat for Humanity.

Additionally, Lick said the annual meeting allows United Way officials to share key statistics from the past year(s) with members and guests.

Lick said this year’s “Fast Facts” include: In the last five years, United Way has invested $1,327,758 into agency programs that are moving the needle in areas of health, financial stability, education, and support services; United Way of West Central Mississippi provided $14,803 in emergency utility, rent, and mortgage assistance to individuals throughout the community; United Way provided every third-grade student in Warren County with four free books through the LEARN program; distributed books to 766 children each month through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in partnership with Batesville Manufacturing; and through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, supported the food pantry at Jackson Street M.B.
Church by donating $18,038.

Lick said, in addition to its yearly outreach programs, the United Way of West Central Mississippi also provided aid to members of the Rolling Fork community in the wake of the devastating March 2023 tornadoes.

“We raised and dispersed over $1.2 million in disaster relief funds for the Rolling Fork community,” she said. “(We) provided meals to 24,000 residents, volunteers, and servicemen with the help of Perry Boyd (former owner of the Gumbo Pot and current owner of Gumbo Blues la Roux).”

United Way also sent over 26 pallets of donations to Rolling Fork that included clothes, food, and water; distributed 856 Visa Gift Cards to those in the Rolling Fork community for recovery; and earmarked $500,000 to assist with the long-term recovery.