City of Copperas Cove, CCISD, H-E-B recognized at United Way celebration luncheon

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

The United Way of the Greater Fort Hood Area’s annual fundraising campaign came to a close with a luncheon last Thursday at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. 
Scott Presuhn, a manager at H-E-B Plus! in Copperas Cove, served as the campaign chairman and asked those present to think back on the campaign and also think ahead.
“All these agencies, they need volunteers,” said Presuhn. “My challenge to you for the rest of this year is to get out and take at least one day to volunteer for one of the United Way agencies. 
“I can’t think of a more fitting day than Valentine’s Day to share and reflect on what we’ve done so far this year. As this campaign comes to an end, I would ask that you reflect that Valentine’s Day is a day of love. So let’s pass that along to our communities the rest of the year.” 
The various groups in the area that raised funds were then recognized for the amounts they were able to raise. 
This year, Copperas Cove’s Williams/Ledger Elementary School for the third year in a row received the award for the Most Raised Per Capita, with giving at $101 per employee. 
Terri Jernigan of Williams/Ledger Elementary received the Spirit of the United Way award.
The City of Copperas Cove also received an award, for that of Most Improved in giving compared to the prior campaign, with city staff present to receive the plaque. 
The Copperas Cove H-E-B Plus! was recognized as a platinum award winner, raising more than $25,000, as was the Copperas Cove Independent School District.
At the Double Platinum level, both the City of Killeen and the Killeen Independent School District were recognized for giving $50,000 or more, with the grocery giant H-E-B Food Stores earning the Mega Platinum status for more than $100,000 in giving.
Lunch was catered by the Great Western Dining Services of Central Texas College and served up by volunteers from local agencies which directly benefit from the United Way funds annually. Entertainment was provided by Scott Taylor, who played the National Anthem, followed by smooth sounds of the electric guitar during the meal. Joe Lombardi served as the emcee. 
Among the Bell and Coryell County agencies which receive United Way funding each year are Aware Central Texas, Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter, Communities in Schools, Families in Crisis, Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity, Hill Country Community Action Association, Refuge Corporation, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Boy Scouts of Central Texas Longhorn Council, and the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children, Inc.  
The overall fundraising goal for this year was $650,000 for the United Way of the Greater Fort Hood Area. This year’s theme was “The Magic of Giving.”