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United Way of Highway 55 (UWHWY55) hosted their United in Spirits event in Lynchburg this year.

UWHWY55 is a nonprofit that focuses on helping and donating to local nonprofits that benefit the surrounding community, and they cover Coffee, Moore and Warren Counties.

Guests of the event were first treated to live music from singer Bryce Reeg at a kick-off party that was hosted by the Tennessee Whiskey Trailhead Center. A charcuterie was offered, and guests were also given a 10% discount for any items in the Whiskey Trailhead Center.

For the main event, guests were given bus rides up to Jack Daniel’s Barbecue Hill for a silent auction and dinner.

Director Ashley Abraham spoke and thanked all those who sponsored the event, along with those in attendance for their support. Deputy Jon Ragan of National Aerospace Solutions and Anthony Soto, General Manager at Manchester’s location of Dot Foods, Inc. both spoke about the importance of giving back to the community.

Executive Director of The Shepherd’s House, Amy Hill, spoke on the impact that UWHWY55 has had on their organization. Shepherd’s House provides a place for women and children in need to stay. They also help by assisting women who need to find jobs or a place to stay. Hill thanked UWHWY55 for the ways in which they’ve helped the organization.

In a statement to the News, Abraham said that while they don’t have a finalized number of donations from the event yet, she knows that they beat what they raised last year.