Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

With the employees gathered in the lobby of Clear Fork Bank of Breckenridge (formerly First National Bank) last week, Kevin Simmons, president of the local bank location, presented the United Fund of Breckenridge with a check for $2,500, representing 100 percent participation in the organization’s annual fundraising drive and the bank’s matching donation.

The donation, accepted by Sherry and Les Strickland with United Fund, marks the 10th consecutive year that all of the Clear Fork employees have participated in the campaign that raises fund for a variety of local non-profit organizations.

United Fund President Sherry Strickland said that, with the Clear Fork donation, the fundraising campaign is at 71 percent of its $18,400 goal for the year, which is up more than $2,000 over last year’s goal.

Since 1957, the United Fund of Breckenridge, Inc., has been helping out the community. Every year, the members collect charitable donations, which are then dispersed to several local organizations. This year, the United Fund will make donations to the following:

• Breckenridge Fine Arts Center
• Breckenridge Library
• Breckenridge Little League, Inc.
• Cub Scout Pack #81
• Dr. Goodall’s House
• Friends of Historic Breckenridge
• Cub Scout Girls Troop #72
• Girl Scouts Troop #8356
• Meals on Wheels
• The Open Door
• Stephens County Agriculture & Community Center
• Stephens County Child Welfare Board
• Stephens County Humane Society
• Swenson Memorial Museum

Every year the United Fund’s board of directors reviews the requests for funds from local organizations and then sets their fundraising goal for the year based on how much they allot to each organization, Strickland explained.

Anyone who would like to donate may mail a check to: United Fund of Breckenridge, Inc., P.O. Box 170, Breckenridge, TX 76424. Or, donations may be made online on the United Fund website.

The United Fund’s board of directors includes: Sherry Strickland, Les Strickland, Jean Hayworth, Kevin Simmons, Whitney Fulgham, Scott Harris, Lynda Justus, Wayne Justus, Kathy O’Shields, Gary Trammel and Sharon Wimberley.

Cutline, top photo: Clear Fork Bank-Breckenridge President Kevin Simmons presents a check to United Fund President Sherry Strickland on behalf of the bank employees who contributed to the United Fund. This year marks the 10th consecutive year that 100 percent of the bank employees have contributed to the fundraiser. Additionally, the bank matched the employees’ donations. Clear Fork employees pictured include Kevin Simmons, Sharron Brown, Pam Richardson, Jonathon Newton, Ken Taylor, Anna Castro, Melanie Gonzales, Sonia Sikes, Nayeli Hernandez, Nayeli Mendoza, Gentry Wimberley, Brenda Deubler, Terry Parks, Michelle Drake, Tina Robinson, Connie Wooten, Vihasi Gandhi, Noemi Duran and Renee Funderburg; also pictured are Sherry and Les Strickland with United Fund. Not pictured are bank employees Laura Davila, Jennifer Herrington, Sabrina Gilbreath, Carol Mace, Cindy Spencer, Annie Brooks, Jenae Trejo, Kasey Ragle, Alondra Ortiz, Zak Elkins, Hope Garmer and Sharon Pendleton. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)