United Way kicks off 2017 Wednesday with annual fish fry

Service organization celebrates 45 years of service in Erath County

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By AMANDA KIMBLE
TheFlashToday.com

STEPHENVILLE (August 23, 2016) – Erath County United Way is ready for a new year. Its 45th.

“We are celebrating our 45th year of service to Erath County,” Marcy Derrick, president of ECUW board of directors, said.

The 2017 campaign officially kicks off September 1, but a new fiscal year cannot get off to a successful start without an event that brings together a hometown fish fry, fellowship and fundraising.

“The Erath County United Way Fish Fry is our annual fundraising kickoff,” Derrick said. “We want to get people thinking about, and excited, about United Way.”

The annual ECUW Fish Fry is slated for 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Newman Hall, located at 1444 E. Washington Street in Stephenville.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. They can be purchased in advance at Stephenville Chamber of Commerce, Citizens National Bank, First National Bank of Dublin, InterBank, TexasBank or First Financial Bank. You can also buy your plate on the spot.

“Funds raised will benefit the 2017 ECUW campaign goal of $250,000,” Derrick said.

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Diners who don’t want to face the crowd can request carry out by calling 965-5693 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Those plates will be available at the drive-thru, located under a tent on Centennial Lane, located between Newman Hall and Tarleton State University.

“The to-go service is excellent, a well-oiled machine,” Derrick said. 

The fish fry follows a successful 2016 campaign, which raised more than $280,000 for 20 nonprofit partner agencies, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, CASA for the Cross Timbers, Cross Timbers Family Services, Disabled American Veterans, Dublin Goodfellows, Dublin Senior Citizens, Erath County 4-H, Erath County Child Welfare Board, Erath County Habitat for Humanity, Erath County Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, H.O.P.E., Inc., Head Start Program, Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center, STAR Council on Substance Abuse, Stephenville School Supply Project, The LOVE Basket, T.R.E.A.T. – Tarleton Equine Assisted Therapy, Treehouse Afterschool Program and Texas Neighborhood Services – Utility Assistance Program.

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“It is so great to hear about what all of these agencies are doing,” Derrick said. “We are always pleased to meet our annual goal to assist our partners. Annually, we are more concerned about reaching the goal due to the challenged economy.”

ECUW issue a call for 2017 funding applications for potential partner agencies in December and nonprofits in need of assistance will be required to return those applications in February. The first quarterly checks will be mailed out March 31.

Finally, Derrick said diners can rest assured, knowing the meal, a plate full of piping hot catfish with all the fixings, will be as good as the causes it serves.

“The food is delicious, but we can’t take credit for that,” Derrick said. “It’s prepared by the Knights of Columbus. Thanks to all the work they put into the (annual) Lenten fish fries, they’re real fish fryologists.”

For more information, visit Erath County United Way online.

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