Youth Leadership Lauderdale’s Hob Carleton, left, shakes hands with Kym Parnell, executive director of the United Way of East Mississippi on Wednesday, March 20, as he and his fellow Youth Leadership Lauderdale members present the United Way with proceeds from a charity pickle ball tournament.

The United Way of East Mississippi will have some additional funds to divide up among the agencies and programs it helps fund after a group of Youth Leadership Lauderdale members on Wednesday presented the nonprofit with a check for $1,042.

Hob Carleton said he and his fellow Youth Leadership Lauderdale members were challenged to organize a fundraising effort to help support a local cause and chose to organize a pickle ball tournament because of the booming interest in the sport.

“We were given the task, at the beginning of it, to come up with a fundraiser for something in our community in a way to benefit our community,” he said. “And so we chose a pickle ball tournament since it’s such an up and coming sport.”

The tournament, which was held in February at Northwood County Club, raised more than $1,000 for the United Way, which the group selected as the recipient of the funds after hearing Kym Parnell, executive director of the United Way of East Mississippi, speak to their Youth Leadership Lauderdale class.

“She was one of the most convincing speakers that we had, and we loved the way she portrayed the United Way and her energy,” Carleton said.

Parnell said the United Way is grateful to the group for their efforts to not only raise money to support local causes but also the leadership and dedication they showed in organizing such a large event.

“They have done an amazing job of showing real leadership, how to make a difference, change lives and live United,” she said.

The United Way of East Mississippi is currently working to allocate funding across its 20 partner agencies, which include the Boy Scouts of America Choctaw Area Council, Care Lodge, American Red Cross, Feed by Faith, Free Clinic of Meridian, Open Arms, Wesley House, Salvation Army, Hope Village and more.

The organization also operates 10 impact programs across its service area of Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale and Neshoba counties, including the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Stuff the Bus, an emergency food and shelter program and assistance with health insurance and tax preparation, among others

Parnell said the funds raised from the pickle ball tournament will be used by the partner agencies and programs to help them continue their missions through the next year.

To learn more about the United Way of East Mississippi or how to get involved, visit uwem.org.