Last week Rotarians had the first off-site meeting of the year at the Bryant Conference Center for the United Way of West Alabama’s Campaign Kick-Off. Jackie Wuska is the President and Chief Professional Officer of the UWWA and led the pledge, along with local Boy Scouts. Ola Mae Hobson spoke about her role as an Individual Development Account Investor, and how the program helped her save for a new home. Last year UWWA had a goal to raise $3,000,000. UWWA exceeded their goal by $168,565 for a total of $3,168,565 in fundraising dollars!

Board Chair Robert Kuhn honored Tuscaloosa Rotary’s own Homer Butler for his career of service with the United Way. Homer started his career at the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. He eventually made his way to United Way of West Alabama from Nevada in 1992. He became the Chief Professional Officer of UWWA, and over his career he raised over $150 million for the United Way. The UWWA has a new award call the “Homer Butler, Jr. Agency of the Year Award”.