UCB gives $10K to 'Partners in Service' Campaign

Pictured left to right: Andy Williams, President of United Community Bank of Union County; Jimmy Tallent, Chief Executive Officer, United Community Banks; Lou Ann Bleakley, Chairman, Community Council; and Joe Garner, Superintendent, GMRE Center.

Andy Williams, Union County Chairman of the "Partners in Service" Campaign, announced that United Community Banks, Inc. has given $10,000 to the campaign. Jimmy Tallent, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "On behalf of United Community Banks in Union, Towns and Fannin Counties, we are pleased to continue our support of the work of the Community Council. The fact that the Council has served over 6,000 students and adults in the first 26 months since its initial programs is impressive. Their enrichment programs and conservation projects are improving the quality of life in our communities. Just as the campaign is aptly named "Partners in Service," so is the Banks' commitment to being good corporate citizens in the communities we serve."

In receiving the gift, Williams said, "This leadershiplevel support by United Community Banks makes me very proud to be a member of the United family. We are committed

to this very worthwhile project. I am proud to say that six United employees are serving in leadership roles in the campaign in Union and Towns Counties."

Lou Ann Bleakley, Chairman of the Community Council, said, "This most generous gift is but the latest example of United Community Banks commitment to the region. In all three campaigns, beginning in 2003, United has made the pacesetting gift which has set the campaigns on the road to success. We appreciate their partnership with us. United's gifts of time and leadership on behalf of the campaign are also most gratifying. Andy's organization includes fellow United associates Kurtis Underwood as a Vice Chair and Tammy Collins, Keith Rainwater and William Stone as Steering Committee Members. Dotti Carter is serving in the Towns County effort. In addition, Council member Alan Kumler is Treasurer of the Council and serves on its Fund Raising Committee.

United Community Banks is the third largest bank holding company in Georgia. United Community Banks has assets of $6.3 billion and operates 25 community banks with 95 banking offices located throughout north Georgia, metro Atlanta, coastal Georgia, western North Carolina and east Tennessee. The company specializes in providing personalized community banking services to individuals and small to mid-size businesses.

The "Partners in Service" Campaign will provide fourthyear funding for the work of the Community Council. The Council emphasizes educational enrichment experiences for students from the region, outreach seminars for adults and significant preservation and conservation projects important to the mountain region. In its 2005-06 year, the Council served 2,100 students, 1,200 of them from Union County, and 750 adults. In addition, it has six preservation projects underway including the exciting Plant Rescue Project.