The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Volunteers help raise $20,000-plus for transportation needs.
United Way of Coastal Georgia raised over $20,000 for The Women United Transportation Fund at its annual Women Who Rule luncheon last week.
With over 800 people in attendance, the luncheon at the Savannah Convention Center was one of the biggest celebrations to date for United Way. The event was hosted to honor women leaders making strides in the community and to help provide local people in need with reliable transportation.
“For many, transportation is an enormous barrier. They have no reliable transportation. They struggle to get to where they need to go for food or healthcare or school or work,” said host Kim Gusby, morning anchor for WSAV-TV. “We are here today to help our neighbors overcome that challenge by raising the most that we can for the Women United Transportation Fund.”
The fund has provided necessities like gas cards, bus passes, and minor car repairs to help increase access to reliable transportation for Coastal Georgians in need. For Kiariah Johnson, a Step Up Savannah beneficiary who received a car through a donation from Step One Automotive Group, and Nicole Polite, who was able to find a home after being homeless, the fund was a saving grace.
With bicycle horns in hand to celebrate the strides the campaign was making, over 225 donors helped reach the event’s fundraising goal.
A panel made up of Ivy. D Council, executive vice president of human resources and chief compliance officer at Citi Trends, Inc.; Amy Perkins-Murphy, a clinical social worker at the Frasier Counseling Center; and Maria Whitfield, director of workforce at the Savannah Joint Development Authority, highlighted women who have been change-makers in the community.
Kay Ford, the chairman of BankSouth’s advisory board for the Savannah market, was named Woman of the Year for the Women Who Rule campaign. Ford was recognized for her desire to give, shattering glass ceilings in the banking world and being a caring and supportive pillar in her community and in her home.
“Through the years I’ve always tried to encourage my teammates, and my friends and my family to find their passion both in work and in volunteering in our community. You know, it’s easy to make excuses. But without a doubt you will feel better about yourself if you’re able to help someone else along the way. Today’s honor is not lost on me this woman of the year,” Ford said when she took the stage to receive her honor.
“I challenge you today to find that opportunity and your passion be that tiny spark that ignites that fire to grow and find your place to help others in our community. Please remember even the smallest things can inspire true change.”