Fred Williamson said he couldn’t ask other people to support the United Way without supporting it himself, so he has made a habit of giving for 54 consecutive years.

The East Brainerd resident and people like him who have given to the organization for 25 or more years are designated as members of the Diamond Donors Society.

Brent Taylor, the United Way’s director of planned giving and endowment development, said 550 people locally have self-identified as members.

Mr. Williamson, 80, said a client at Tennessee Valley Authority got him involved in soliciting for United Way.

“I could hardly refuse him,” he said.

Although he missed a few years when he was in the Army, he has contributed every year since 1954. Later, he and his wife adopted their two children through a United Way agency, and he has worked on allocations panels for the organization.

Gordon Smith said he began contributing in 1948 when he began his first job.

“I was getting a salary,” he said, “and I thought, ‘Well, I guess I’ve got to use it for good things, the Lord and United Way.’”

Through the years, Mr. Smith said, he has volunteered with the American Red Cross, Boys Club of Chattanooga and other member agencies.

Comments