Chattanooga's Neediest Cases campaign sees 7% increase in donations

Donate today to the 2013 Neediest Cases

2013 NEEDIEST CASESFINAL REPORTSUMMARY$49,040 Previous total$9,516 Today's total$58,556 TotalTODAY'S DONATIONS$400 Charles & Kim Barrett$100 In memory of Montana Sky McNew$200 Barry & Beverly Ligon$50 Vickie & Robb Berghel$100 In memory of Mary Ruth Cooper$100 Anonymous$50 Anonymous$75 In honor of Janice Changa$100 Anonymous$30 Anonymous$100 In memory of Jacqueline Lawrence Sandridge$50 In memory of Bob and Margaret Knight from Nancy Valadie$100 In honor of our paper carrier$50 Stephanie Felker$100 In memory of the Martin Family$400 Anonymous$15 In honor of family from Mary V. Moreland$100 In honor of my grandchildren$100 Anonymous$200 In memory of Michael Hennen from Jo Ann Morris$1,000 In memory of our parents from Dr. and Mrs. John Bickel$1,000 Many public spirited citizens volunteer their time and expertise to counsel business owners at the "Service Corps of Retired Executives" offices. Memorialized here are some that have passed on: Dr. Jack Adams, Jay Sadow, Gus Pfitzer, Bernie Sellman, Bob Elmore, Bill Lilly, Pembroke Leach, Edson Hammer and Eddie Farmer from Richard G. Edgerton$200 In honor of Howard, Ocie, Raymond, Jimmy and bro-in-law James from RC & M$50 In memory of Gordon & Michael Whittenbarger from family$1,234 Anonymous$400 Anonymous$100 Robert & Betty Summers$5,096 Anonymous

For nearly 100 years the Neediest Cases Fund campaign raises money to help hundreds of people in the Chattanooga area, and support for the fund and its mission continued to grow in 2013.

During the course of the 2013 campaign, which runs from Thanksgiving Day through the end of the year, readers of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and other supporters of the Neediest Cases Fund contributed more than $61,000 - a 7 percent increase over the amount raised in 2012. And the $57,000 raised in 2012 was a 5 percent increase over the previous year.

Several hundred individuals responded to the Times Free Press call for donations and wrote checks or delivered cash in amounts large and small to help the less fortunate.

The United Way of Greater Chattanooga will administer the Neediest Cases Fund money in the coming year. United Way set up a dedicated phone number for people interested in applying for Neediest Cases support.

"United Way's 2-1-1 received approximately 70 calls for Neediest Cases during the month of December," said Jamie Bergmann, the vice president of community impact for United Way of Greater Chattanooga.

Many of the calls were from families in need of "assistance with utilities and rent due to the extreme weather conditions our area has been facing," she said.

The United Way's 2-1-1 is a service for people looking for assistance, as well as for those looking to give help, and works to connect service agencies with those who need their help.

In previous years, Neediest Cases funds have been used by recipients to cover expenses ranging from home renovations, mortgage payments, utilities bills, new appliances, groceries or a bus ticket.

"United Way will continue to use the Neediest Cases funds to help qualified applicants during the upcoming year," Bergmann said. "It is United Way's intent that by leveraging these funds with existing resources, we will expand the reach of Neediest Cases through community partners in the areas of education, stability and support to the most vulnerable - while also expanding help to many families beyond Chattanooga into the surrounding counties and North Georgia."

The Neediest Cases Fund money will be used to help people in emergency situations as well as to help clients of the community partner agencies who need aid that can't be met by existing resources. Community partners are expected to work with clients to address needs and, if possible, to provide them additional help in becoming self-sufficient.

Contact staff writer Alex Harris at aharris@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.

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