By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–It was a bigger than usual night for the Henry County Helping Hand Radio Auction annual meeting, with its biggest total yet–$519,825–raised this year.
Checks for 90 local non-profit and public service organizations were handed out by President Bruce Reed, who opened the meeting with the news that two long-time mainstays–Treasurer Susan Bell and Secretary Mary Kate Ridgeway–will be retiring this year.
Bell has served for 22 years and Ridgeway for 37. Reed said, “You two will be missed” and the crowd gave both a standing ovation. Caroline Dunn will be taking Bell’s place and Ridgeway’s replacement will be decided in a couple of weeks.
Reed told the crowd, “We’re happy and proud for this record-breaking year”, noting the annual meeting is always one of the best parts of Helping Hand.
He thanked the volunteers and board members for their hard work. “This could not be done without the volunteers. It’s amazing to see how hard they work day in and day out. Until I got on the board, I didn’t know how much work was involved in all this.”
This year was especially fruitful, with records broken at the outset and throughout the two months in operation. But with a final-day donation of $100,000, the biggest record of all was broken, with Helping Hand raising over $500,000, the most ever.
The Top Ten Helping Hand organizations this year (organizations raising the most money) were:
- First Baptist Church, $36,863; 2. Security Bank, $33,248; 3. First United Methodist Church, $33,201; 4. Lakeway Kiwanis, $23,783; 5. Pleasant Hill community, $20,555; 6.Tennessee Valley Community Church, $16,532; 7. Cottage Grove community, $14,223; Buchanan community, $12,401; 9. Holy Cross Catholic Church, $10608 and 10. Whitlock community, $10,490.
All of Henry County’s volunteer fire departments received $10,000 each year–the most ever.
New board members were elected: Marilyn Oliver, Area 1; Kevin Buie, Area 2; Allie Harper, Area 5.
Photo: President Bruce Reed, center, talks things over with Mary Kate Ridgeway, Danny Veazey and Susan Bell before the meeting starts. Shannon McFarlin photo.