More than 230 community members gathered for the United Way of the Ocoee Region’s annual Impact Report and Awards Celebration luncheon on March 26 the Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points. The event was presented by Best Buy Metals – Cleveland, with First Horizon Bank recognized as a platinum sponsor.
Community Impact
In 2025, United Way of the Ocoee Region invested $2.22 million across 36 local non-profit agencies and 42 programs to serve 47,342 individuals.
Of the total individuals impacted, United Way’s internal programs served 55% using only 14.5% of UWOR’s total funding allocation.
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Housing United – United Way’s rapid rehousing-based program - served 392 individuals with 93% of clients remaining successfully housed after six months
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The Ocoee Connect Resource Hotline assisted 4,018 individuals
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The AmeriCorps VISTA program facilitated 27 placements across 19 nonprofit sites, generating $452,292 for nonprofit partners and contributing 27,495 volunteer hours
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United Way of the Ocoee Region celebrated 20 years of facilitating the Bradley County Imagination Library program and provided 48,965 books to children from birth to age five
Resource Development
As the result of several fundraisers, special events and workplace and individual donations, Campaign Co-Chairs Andy Brown and Logan Young announced that $1,659,230 was raised in the 2025-26 Community Campaign, surpassing the campaign goal of $1.6 million.
Because the needs of our community never stop, neither does our community campaign. With that spirit in mind, Andy and Logan proudly passed the thermometer to the 2026–27 Campaign Co-Chairs, Bridget Forrester (Mix 104.1 WCLE) and Bradley Hudson (Edward Jones).
Community Awards (bios included below):
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The Lt Col Jim Tucker Nonprofit Leadership award was presented to Hailey Johnston, Founder and Executive Director of Project Free2Fly
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The Charlotte Thorogood Woman of Impact was presented to Brenda Choate, CORMETECH
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The Young Professional of the Year award was presented to Andrew Dinsmore, Food City
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The William F. Johnson Volunteer of the Year award was presented to community advocate Bruce Bradford
Upcoming 2026 UWOR Events were announced, including:
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Day of Action – July 31
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Women United Gala – “La Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast” – September 4
For more information, download our 2025 Impact Report.
About our 2025 Award Winners
Hailey Johnston (Lt Col Jim Tucker Nonprofit Leadership Award)
With a vision to support, nurture and empower women, Hailey founded Project Free2Fly in 2014, building it from a grassroots effort into a thriving organization with a permanent home in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Through her leadership, the organization has developed a unique transitional program that bridges the gap between crisis recovery and long-term independence – serving women overcoming homelessness, addiction, crisis pregnancy and more. Since its inception, the program has swerved 60 women, providing thousands of hours of counseling, enrichment, and meaningful employment opportunities, with an impressive 100% of graduates leaving equipped with stable housing, employment, a sustainable plan for the future and the life-long skill of sewing. A true partner in the community, Hailey collaborates with over 20 community organization to provide comprehensive care and resources for participants, and currently serves as Sergeant-at-Arms for Rotary Club of Cleveland.
Brenda Choate (Charlotte Thorogood Woman of Impact Award)
For more than 21 years, Brenda has been a dedicated leader at CORMETECH, where she currently serves as Senior HR Manager. Over the years, she has grown within the organization, helping shape not only its success, but its people. She has been described as the “brains, the brawn and the heart of CORMETECH” … and that speaks volumes about the way she leads. Her leadership doesn’t stop with the workplace. She has given her time and talents in extraordinary ways at United Way of the Ocoee Region, serving as past Board Chair, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, and the Community Investment Team.
Andrew Dinsmore (Young Professional of the Year)
A native of Bradley County and graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Andrew brings more than two decades of experience in the retail supermarket industry and currently serves as Manager of Food City on Ocoee Crossing and owner of Dinsmore Strategic Solutions. A dedicated civic leader, he serves as Board Chair of Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Cleveland, the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, and the Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points. He also serves his alma mater St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School as a Trustee and past president of its Alumni Association, and is currently a candidate for Bradley County Commission Seat 2-B. His commitment to United Way runs especially deep. As a member of the Board of Directors, 2023 Campaign Co-Chair, and President of the Young Professionals Circle, he has been a tireless advocate for the organization’s mission - championing its work and inspiring others to give, lead, and serve.
Bruce Bradford (William F. Johnson Volunteer of the Year)
Bruce has been a longtime partner, a leader and steady presence within United Way of the Ocoee Region. Over the years, he has served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, Community Investment Team and as a member of the Tocqueville Society. He grew up in North Georgia and earned his bachelors and masters’ degrees from the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the Redcoat Marching Band. He’s visited 43 states, built a remarkable career, faced seven cancer diagnoses, and through it all remained grounded in what matters most to him: his faith, family and friends. Most described Bruce as “the best friend you could ever have.” He has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 32 years.