Neighborhood Philanthropy: United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County
Oxford is host to some wonderful non-profit organizations that provide for our community in so many ways. We want to provide a glimpse of these organizations each month. The United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County has been serving its residents since 1970. Executive Director, Kurt Brummett, recently shared, “I love the fact that our local United Way touches every age group and demographic in our community through the worthwhile local programs and initiatives we help support within our four focus areas of health, education, financial stability, and basic needs.”
Kurt Brummett, Executive Director, with Oxford area kids
The United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County was incorporated in 1970 as the United Fund and its first campaign was chaired by Dr. Robert Khayat in 1971. The organization joined the United Way network in 1975. For the past 52 years the local United Way has sought to serve as a unifying force by bringing individuals, organizations, businesses, and public entities together to make a meaningful difference throughout Oxford and Lafayette County.
The organization’s signature annual fundraiser, the United Way Flashback Bash, will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13th at the Oxford Conference Center. This year, they are flashing back to the 90s for a night filled with great music from Almost Famous, delicious food from Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering, and fun memories through Oxford PhotoBomb. Tickets can be purchased for as little as $25 per person (if you buy more than one), and they have sponsorship opportunities available from their “End of the Road” level of $100 all the way to their “U Can't Touch This” category of $5,000. You can learn about tickets, sponsorships, and more here.
In addition to the Flashback Bash, they are continually seeking to add new members to their amazing local United Way team. Kurt shared, “Whether someone gives of their time, talents, or resources, every contribution to our local United Way serves as an investment in our community that yields incredible returns. No amount is too small to make a significant impact as we work hand in hand with so many throughout our community for the betterment of Oxford and Lafayette County. While our campaign is evergreen in nature, we officially kick off our annual campaign each fall and we are excited to have Keith Carter with Ole Miss Athletics serve as our featured speaker at our campaign kick-off luncheon at the Oxford Conference Center on Wednesday, September 28th.”
The funds raised through their annual campaign and fundraisers like the Flashback Bash enable the organization to invest in worthwhile community impact initiatives throughout the community. In carrying out their mission, they support worthwhile programming through organizations like The Leap Frog Program, Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi, Interfaith Compassion Ministry, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi, CASA of North Mississippi, North Mississippi Exchange Family Center, and the Lafayette County Literacy that make a significant impact in the lives of Lafayette County residents on a daily basis. You can learn about all of their funded programs in FY 2022-2023 here.
We are grateful to the United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County for raising millions of dollars over the past five decades and using the funding to invest in local initiatives that improve health, advance education, promote financial stability, and meet basic needs throughout the Lafayette-Oxford-University (LOU) community. Their office is located at 440 North Lamar Blvd. #5 and you can find Executive Director, Kurt Brummett, there to meet, greet and serve you.
