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United Way of Highway 55 announced Thursday, Oct. 10 during a ceremony at Boskey’s Grill that it will join the United Way of South Central Tennessee (UWSCTN).

“As we grow, we want to continue to provide more funding and more programs,” Highway 55 Director Ashley Abraham said. “With limitations of staff and internal support it can be difficult to keep up with growth.” 

United Way of Highway 55 Board Chair, Michele Simmons said, “This partnership will allow us to have access to more internal resources, as well as increased opportunities to apply for state and federal funding that might not have been tapped into before. We are honored to be a part of United Way of South Central Tennessee and to continue the legacy of impact in our local area on an even larger scale.”

The merger will be official Jan. 1, 2025. United Way of Highway 55 was founded locally in 2000 to support education, financial stability, health, and basic essentials for thousands of individuals in Coffee, Moore and Warren counties. In 2023, UWSCTN expanded its services to include Bedford and Lincoln counties through a merger with United Way of Bedford County.

The organization remains committed to supporting and building thriving communities for everyone, regardless of their zip code.

“We are thrilled to share the partnership between the United Way of South Central Tennessee and the Highway 55 United Way,” Casey Rainey, UWSCTN Board Chair, said. “With a larger regional footprint, our potential for resource development and outreach will benefit even more individuals and families that need assistance from our United Way.”

Highway 55 Board Member Monty Hawkins said any success economic development program is tied to strong communities.

“Citizens, if they feel they belong to a community, are going to contribute,” Hawkins said. “They are going to accept and take some level of responsibility and in turn the community will be part of their own identity.”

Hawkins believes that the identity of the community is something seen, heard and felt among its people.

DOT Foods General Manager Anthony Soto said his company has an ingrained culture of giving.

“The reason we support United Way is because it’s the best way to get the support to all the nonprofits,” Soto said. “There is no better way. This group has a far bigger reach than we could ever have on our own.”

Soto said the company matches employee donations. DOT employees have donated over $14,000 and with the company match, that figure will climb to about $30,000 that will go to United Way.

To learn more about the United Way of South Central Tennessee, visit yourlocaluw.org or call 615-893- 7303. Follow UWSCTN on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn at @yourlocaluw, and visit the website at yourlocaluw.org/highway55uw, for more information on how to be involved in the transition.