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AUB, LOCAL UNITED WAY PLEDGE COVID-19 MONEY; TVA TO JOIN

AUB, LOCAL UNITED WAY PLEDGE

COVID-19 MONEY; TVA TO JOIN

ATHENS, Tenn. – Athens Utilities Board (AUB) is using its Warm Neighbors Fund to work with the United Way of McMinn and Meigs Counties to provide money to the needy communities as the COVID-19 crisis continues in the area.

By raising the money, AUB and United Way is receiving more funds from TVA in the effort, as resources are needed in many areas across the local utility’s customer base.

“The Warm Neighbors Fund, through Coordinated Charities, and United Way both are organizations we work with every month to help people who need it in our service territory,” said AUB’s Wayne Scarbrough.

“Paige Zabo with United Way and Kevin Lane with Coordinated Charities are really working well with us to procure and administer this money for the community.”

“We’re glad that TVA has agreed to help return some money to the local communities in this effort,” he said.

The executive committee from the United Way is using $5,000 it had raised for COVID-19 support in conjunction with AUB’s $5,000 from its Warm Neighbors Fund.

“Because we, together, were able to come up with $10,000, TVA has agreed to match that amount with utility money that our customers give every day for electric power,” AUB’s Eric Newberry said.

Seventy-five percent of the total money, or $15,000, will be used for aid in rental and utility assistance.  The remaining $5,000 will be used for food assistance.

Coordinated Charities, led by Lane, will be where the $20,000 of local money is housed and where members of the affected communities will be able to tap the resources.

AUB’s Warm Neighbors Fund and the area United Way are proud of the work they do daily with people in the communities and are doing what they can to move resources to COVID-19 needs.

“Mr. Lane at Coordinated Charities and the people of the United Way help folks in McMinn and Meigs counties every day.  Today, we are thankful they are focused on COVID-19 support,” Scarbrough said.