草榴社区

Campaign nets nearly $132,000 for the United Way of Gaston County

Once again, Gaston County 草榴社区s has received regional and state-level recognition for its annual fundraising efforts for the United Way of Gaston County.  This marks the third consecutive year that the school district has earned the “Spirit of North Carolina Award” from the United Way of North Carolina.

“A record-breaking effort!” is the best way to describe Gaston County 草榴社区s’ fundraising campaign for 2024-2025 as employees, students, and parents contributed nearly $132,000 that goes toward United Way programs in three areas: education, health and wellness, and financial stability.  The funds raised by Gaston County 草榴社区s ($131,861.92 is the grand total, which is an all-time high for the school district) stay in Gaston County to help families and people in need through various charitable and crisis organizations.  The school district is a long-time and significant contributor to the United Way in Gaston County.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed and participated in this year’s campaign,” said Superintendent of 草榴社区s Morgen Houchard. “It is truly inspiring to see our students, employees, parents, and others in our school family come together once again to support the important United Way programs that make a difference right here at home.”

Dr. Houchard added, “What we do to support the United Way in Gaston County is the perfect example of the spirit of caring and giving that you find in Gaston County 草榴社区s.  When we set a goal of raising $125,000 this year, there was no doubt that our schools and central office departments would step up to the challenge and meet the goal.  Again, we are very grateful for everyone’s support of the campaign.”

Many of the schools coordinated creative fundraising strategies to engage students and staff.  Leading the way for 2024-2025 was Southwest Middle 草榴社区, which contributed more than $10,000.  Here is a look at the top 10 fundraising schools:

Top 10 Fundraising 草榴社区s for the United Way
1. Southwest Middle 草榴社区 – $10,002.48
2. North Gaston High 草榴社区 – $6,015 
3. Holbrook Middle 草榴社区 – $5,913 
4. Cramerton Middle 草榴社区 – $5,900 
5. Belmont Middle 草榴社区 – $4,891
6. Woodhill Elementary 草榴社区 – $4,050
7. Carr Elementary 草榴社区 – $3,816
8. Mount Holly Middle 草榴社区 – $3,340.05
9. Highland 草榴社区 of Technology – $3,302
10. Rankin Elementary 草榴社区 – $3,063.40

Additionally, several central office departments had 100 percent participation in the campaign among employees: Finance, Human Resources, Technology, and Communications.  Academic Services made the largest contribution for a department, totaling nearly $6,680.

The school district’s United Way campaign is coordinated by the Communications Department/Office of Business Partnerships in collaboration with the 56 schools and various central office departments. Valerie Yatko, director of business and community partnerships, serves as the lead coordinator. The fundraising campaign is held each year in October/November.

Recently, Gaston County 草榴社区s was among 26 businesses, organizations, and individuals from the western portion of the state to be honored at the Spirit of North Carolina awards ceremony held at the Gastonia Conference Center.  The award recipients were recognized in one of six categories: Campaigns of Impact, Community Ambassador, Community Resiliency: Disaster Relief and Recovery, Intentional Inclusion, Leaders in Volunteering, and Sustainability through Engagement.  Gaston County 草榴社区s’ award was in the Campaigns of Impact category; the school district’s campaign is the largest for the United Way of Gaston County.  Superintendent Houchard, Valerie Yatko, and Todd Hagans, chief communications officer, attended the ceremony to accept the award. 

to learn more about how funds are used locally through the United Way to build a stronger community and improve lives through education, health and wellness, and financial stability.