Chilton County United Way relies on donors and volunteers to make a positive difference, and on Thursday the organization held an appreciation luncheon for those supporters.

“These folks give their time,” said Yolanda Boggs, chairwoman of the local United Way board. “We volunteer with Chilton County United Way because that’s what we want to do.”

Boggs said 75 cents of every dollar donated to the organization goes back to the community.

Shelly Mims, executive director of the local United Way organization, welcomed everyone to the event, which was held at the Alabama Power Conference Center.

After an invocation, Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon and Clanton Police Chief Keith Maddox led those in attendance, numbering about 120, in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Boggs introduced Jana Zuelzke with Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center.

“We have 23 agencies that we allocate money to,” Boggs said. “I’d love to have all of them come up here and tell you what do.”

Zuelzke thanked the audience for their support of United Way, and Butterfly Bridge in turn.

“We’re in the business of trying to help children get their childhoods back,” Zuelzke said. “I don’t know how we could keep our doors open without the support from them and other donors.”

Lucinda Champion, president of a retired educators group, also spoke in support of United Way.

“We really see first-hand in our classrooms what is going on in our community,” Champion said.

After the presentations, donors and volunteers were recognized.

Those recognized for “Service to Chilton County United Way” included: Liz Moore, Hollis Jackson, Dale Mims, Van Forrester and Gay West.

Those recognized for “Leadership Donations” included Liz Huntley, Jimmy and Linda Northcutt, James Ken Chastain and Earl Davis.

BlueCross BlueShield was recognized with the Gold Award for the Workplace Campaign.

Those recognized with the Silver Award for Workplace Campaign were Hyundai, Johnson Controls, Chilton County Board of Education, State Combined Campaign and Alabama Power Company.

Those recognized with the Bronze Award for Workplace Campaign were Peoples Southern Bank, AT&T, Chilton-Shelby Mental Health, Walmart and Ebsco.

Those recognized with the Bronze Award for Corporate Donations were Lions Club, Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center and Georgia-Pacific.

Those recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation for contributions and participation in Hat Day for United Way included Chilton County High School, Isabella School, Maplesville School, Verbena School, Thorsby School, Jemison High School, Jemison Middle School, Jemison Elementary School, Clanton Intermediate School, Clanton Elementary School and Clanton Middle School.

Those recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation for valuable contributions through partnering with Chilton County United Way included Jefferson State Community College, Hometown Lenders, Williams Transco and Lloyd Nutter.