Underwood’s Kicks Off United Way Campaign by Opening on Wednesday

Brownwood News – Locals know, you always crave Underwood’s on Wednesday. It’s the one day of the week the historic Brownwood restaurant is closed. Except for one special Wednesday annually for the past 17 years.

The Brown County United Way held their 2018 Campaign Kick-off at Underwood’s Cafeteria on Wednesday, August 16^th, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Underwood’s agreed to once again host the kick-off, donating the profits from the day to the campaign. The employees donated their time, while the restaurant owners donated the food. All proceeds from the Wednesday lunch rush were donated to the local United Way.

“We’ve had a record number of employee volunteers this year,” said owner Paul Underwood. “Over 20 of our employees have donated their time today, which is fantastic.”

Michael Levens, a 4th grader from the Bangs School District enjoys his Underwood’s lunch on Wednesday. Levens is a second year 4H participant.

“It’s a great event. This is about the community coming together, rallying behind a cause. Everyone can leave here feeling good about themselves,” Underwood said.

$4,157 was raised during the lunch, to add towards the $250,000 United Way total goal for the year.

“It is absolutely phenomenal, the tables have been full the whole time,” said Karen Lynch, Executive Director for the Brown County United Way.

In conjunction with the Kick-off this year the Brown County United Way will be holding a “Stuff the Bus” campaign to collect school supplies for the school children of Brown County.

The Brown County United Way will be collecting supplies at the following locations:

• Thursday, August 17^th, 2017 – United Supermarket  11:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Friday, August 18^th, 2016 – Wal-Mart 1:00pm – 6:00pm

The supplies collected will be distributed by the Salvation Army to students in the Brown County Independent School Districts of Bangs, Blanket, Brookesmith, Brownwood, Early, May, and Zephyr.

“We are very excited to be able to once again collect school supplies to benefit our community. Our hope is that this will be something everyone can participate in and help benefit all of the children in the county” said Lynch.  “There are many children in our community that are unable to obtain the supplies they need for school. We hope that this will be something we can continue to do every year and that it will grow and we will truly be able to “stuff the bus” and fill it with school supplies.

The Brown County United Way currently supports 15 Agencies that benefit the people of Brown County: American Red Cross, The Ark Domestic Violence Shelter, Brown County 4-H, Brown County Association for Retarded Citizens, Brown County Home Solutions, Brownwood Community Resource Council for the benefit of TJJD youth, Brownwood Public Library, Boys & Girls Club, Cancer Services Network, CASA, Early Childhood Intervention, Family Services Center, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key, and The Salvation Army.