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United Way of Greater Chattanooga celebrates 100-year anniversary

Since 1922, United Way of Greater Chattanooga has been able to invest in innovative solutions, establish the right partnerships, and mobilize the best resources to fight our community’s most dire social problems.

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Mai Bell Hurley of United Way of Greater Chattanooga

Mai Bell Hurley became the first woman to chair United Way’s board and the annual campaign in 1988.

Photo provided by United Way of Greater Chattanooga

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For 100 years, United Way of Greater Chattanooga has been uniting Chattanoogans and resources to help build a stronger, healthier community, and its first century of work is just the beginning. The organization continues to answer the call of our neighbors in need and empower local, on-the-ground nonprofit partners to drive transformational change in our community.

Following the epidemic of cholera, yellow fever, and Spanish flu, in the early 20th century, a group of leaders, including Dr. Tom S. McCallie, established the Chattanooga Community Chest, the precursor to the United Fund. In 1980, the United Fund got a new name: United Way of Greater Chattanooga.

Since 1922 — and through the caring power of tens of thousands of individuals — United Way of Greater Chattanooga has been able to invest in innovative solutions, establish partnerships, and mobilize resources to fight our community’s most dire social problems and help build a community where all individuals reach their full human potential through access to pathways of success and stability.

United Way board member and business and civic leader, Scott “Scotty” Probasco

As a United Way board member and business and civic leader, Scott “Scotty” Probasco helped change lives for countless families with his inspiring spirit.

| Photo provided by United Way of Greater Chattanooga

To help celebrate our community, United Way of Greater Chattanooga is hosting a 100th birthday block party on Sat., Sept. 17 from 5-8 p.m. outside its offices at 630 Market St. — free and open to the public. There will be food trucks, performances by the Pop-Up Project, an interactive art experience, face painting + more. All Noogans are invited to celebrate the organization’s 100 years of impact and the upcoming city-wide Impact Days, happening Fri., Sept. 16-Sat., Sept. 17.

See you at the celebration, Chattanooga.

Quiz

Who founded the concept of United Way? Make a guess here.*

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