United Way of Southwest Alabama celebrated the people, businesses, and community partners making a difference across Clarke County during its 2026 Clarke County Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Thursday, September 10, at the Grove Hill Senior Center.

The annual gathering brought community members together to recognize outstanding service and support of United Way and Clarke County. First US Bank sponsored the luncheon, Greer’s Markets provided lunch, and the Town of Grove Hill provided the Grove Hill Senior Center at no cost.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support Clarke County continues to give United Way and, more importantly, to one another,” said Sierra Skipper, Manager of Regional Development & County Relations. “The people we celebrated represent different parts of this community, but they share a willingness to step forward, serve their neighbors, and use what they have to make Clarke County stronger. We are thankful to everyone who joined us to celebrate them and to the community partners who made this gathering possible.”

COMMUNITY SERVICE RECOGNIZED

The awards program began with a special recognition of the partners behind the Thomasville Food Distribution. Westervelt Lumber sponsored the December distribution, which provided nearly 6,000 pounds of food from Feeding the Gulf Coast to 330 households. Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Alabama, Feeding the Gulf Coast, International Paper Pine Hill Mill, Jackson Academy, and Westervelt Lumber were recognized for their roles in the collaborative effort.

United Way then presented five Clarke County awards.

Heart of Gold Award: Sheriff DeWayne Smith, Clarke County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Smith was recognized for nearly three decades of service in law enforcement and for a commitment to Clarke County that extends beyond the uniform. His work with young people, leadership education, and efforts to create opportunities for second chances reflect his belief in investing in people and helping build a stronger community for the next generation.

Outstanding Campaign Coordinator: Alesia Burrell, International Paper Pine Hill Mill

Burrell was recognized for her leadership of the International Paper Pine Hill Mill Golf Tournament. The 2025 tournament, together with International Paper’s corporate match, raised more than $40,000 for United Way. From 2023 through 2025, the tournament raised more than $105,000 to support United Way and agencies providing services to people in Clarke County.

Outstanding Campaign: Westervelt Lumber

Westervelt Lumber’s 2025 United Way Campaign raised more than $83,000, its highest campaign to date, with more than $80,000 coming directly from employees through payroll giving. Since 2020, Westervelt and its employees have pledged more than $332,000 to United Way.

Inaugural Julia Ann Deas Heart of Platinum Award: Julia Ann Deas

One of the most meaningful moments of the luncheon came when United Way surprised longtime Clarke County Committee member Julia Ann Deas with an award created in her honor.

The Julia Ann Deas Heart of Platinum Award was established to recognize the lasting commitment, service, and heart Deas has demonstrated through many years of service to United Way and Clarke County. Deas has given her time, shared relationships, encouraged others to become involved, and remained a steadfast supporter of United Way’s work. She became the first recipient of the award bearing her name.

Outstanding Community Partner: Louisiana Pacific / LP Building Solutions

LP was recognized for its longstanding investment in Clarke County and its commitment to supporting the community where its employees live and work. LP announced plans for its Clarke County manufacturing facility near Thomasville in 2004 and later expanded operations at the mill.

That investment has extended beyond the workplace. In 2022, the LP Foundation donated $150,000 to Thomasville Regional Medical Center to help provide surgical equipment, medicine, and other medical supplies. The LP Foundation has also supported United Way of Southwest Alabama as part of its broader community giving.

SHELBY MYERS SHARES A STORY THAT COMES FULL CIRCLE

Clarke County native, FOX10 Investigative Reporter and Anchor Shelby Myers delivered the keynote address after an introduction by her sister, Sierra Skipper. Myers grew up in Thomasville and graduated from Thomasville High School before attending the University of South Alabama and beginning her career in broadcast journalism.

Myers spoke about growing up in Clarke County and watching her father and family take the time to care for people in their community when they needed it. That example stayed with her. As an adult, she has continued that tradition through her own community involvement, including projects with FOX10 and United Way that have built playgrounds, cleaned cemeteries, and improved the Child Advocacy Center.

Her connection to that work is also personal. Myers shared that her own family has benefited from United Way programs and Partner Agencies, including Early Intervention, Ronald McDonald House, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Her experience gave her the opportunity to see from another perspective the same kind of community support she had grown up watching her family provide to others.

Myers’ story illustrated how the roles we play in a community can change over time. We may be the person volunteering, giving, or helping a neighbor, and at another point, we may be the person who benefits from that same network of support. Her experience underscored the importance of having strong community organizations and resources in place when families need them.

CLARKE COUNTY AND UNITED WAY

The luncheon also provided an opportunity to thank the businesses, employees, volunteers, Partner Agencies, donors, and community leaders who continue to make United Way’s work possible in Clarke County. Money raised in Clarke County stays in Clarke County, but the relationship goes much deeper than dollars. The community has helped shape United Way and the work that can be accomplished when people and organizations come together around the needs of their neighbors.

As United Way celebrates 100 Years of Impact, Clarke County holds a special place in that history. J. L. Bedsole, whose leadership helped shape United Way and philanthropy across the region, was originally from Thomasville. That connection is a reminder that Clarke County has not simply been part of United Way’s service area. People from this community have helped build the legacy United Way celebrates today.

As United Way begins its second century, Clarke County will continue to be an important part of what comes next. United Way is grateful for the community’s longstanding support and looks forward to continuing that work together through giving, volunteering, partnership, and service.

Event pictures are available at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD4Bmb