About United Way of Greater Knoxville

Organized Labor & United Way of Greater Knoxville Live United!

United Way and the “Live United” slogan are in harmony with that of our union brothers and sisters.  Organized Labor and United Way have been partners for over 60 years. 

Organized Labor knows the meaning of living united.  As trade unionist, we care that United Way does essentially what unions do; unifies people with ideals and leadership to make things better for the entire community.  

While America’s union movement mobilized around a changed agenda in 2010. We realize that social service organizations supported through United Way are confronted with ever-increasing requests for assistance and we must support those left behind in our sluggish economy.  As union members and community leaders, we have a long tradition of working with our communities to ease the burden on the needy, high risk children, elderly, disabled, and those needing health care.  
 
It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future.  Because we are all winners when a child succeeds in school, a family earns enough of a living wage to support themselves and the entire community has access to healthcare. 

Labor has long demonstrated a concern and a commitment to helping those in need by generously providing support to the annual United Way campaign.  It is estimated that $1.5 million is given by these members through their workplace campaigns. 

Labor Participation Committee

A special Labor Leaders Club lapel pin is presented by the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Area Central Labor Council,

AFL-CIO, to union members who give at the following levels: 

Bronze level ($250 to $499)           Silver Level ($500 to $749)          Gold Level ($750 and up)

Labor Participation Committee

• Debbie Helsley, Chair

• George Bove

• Charlene Burt

• Suzanne Coile

• Betty Reddick

• Mike Watkins

• Garry Whitley

• Rick Wilson

• David Woods

• Harold Woods

• Sylvia Wood

Labor Representatives on Board of Directors

• George Bove

• Debbie Helsley

• Rick Wilson

• Sylvia Woods

Contact Debbie Black at blackd@unitedwayknox.org for more information.