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United Way of West Georgia (UWWG) will kick off its 2024 campaign with a luncheon on Wednesday, Sep. 18 at Del’avant in LaGrange.

The event will celebrate and promote the non-profit’s annual fundraising efforts and serve as the debut of this year’s campaign team.

The United Way Community Campaign will officially launch on Wednesday with the luncheon designed to inspire the community to support United Way and the 20-plus partner agencies it supports and to raise awareness about critical local issues.

The agencies supported by United Way West Georgia include the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, CASA of Troup County, Children’s Advocacy Center, Communities in Schools, Senior Corps Foster Grandparent Program, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Good Shepherd Therapeutic Center, Harmony House Interfaith Food Closet, the LaGrange, Hogansville and West Point Active Life, LaGrange and Hogansville Empty Stocking Fund, LaGrange Personal Aid, Literacy Volunteers of Troup County, Maidee Smith Early Care & Learning Center, Salvation Army, Self Help Harbor, Senior Companions, Special Olympics of Troup County and Success by 6.

Each year UWWG enlists a team of passionate individuals dedicated to the community to lead fundraising efforts and promote community well-being through partnerships and address needs within the community.

Four local residents will make up this year’s fundraising campaign team. The team consists of Kane Bradfield, Fire Chief Willie Bradfield, Heather Graham and Nicole Kennedy.

Kane Bradlfeid is the owner of Clockwork Performance Training, a youth athletic and fitness program, and the Executive Director of Clockwork Youth Academy, a summer and after-school program. Kane is a former professional arena football player and currently serves as a motivational speaker.

Willie Bradfield is the current Chief of the LaGrange Fire Department. Willie was born in Roanoke, Alabama and raised in Heard County where he graduated from Heard County High School and began his career in the fire service as a volunteer,

Willie was hired full-time with Heard County in 1997 and in 1999 he was hired by the LaGrange Fire Department, where he has served for 25-plus years. Willie was promoted to fire chief last year.

Willie and his wife Alane have five kids CJ, Lane, Khila, Alexis and Allena. Willie is an active member of the Stateline Baptist Church where he serves as chairman of the Deacon Board.

Heather Graham is a Senior Partner at the Graham Law Firm. She is a 30-year resident of LaGrange and a local attorney. Her firm specializes in residential and commercial real estate transactions, probate and estate planning.  Graham earned a Bachelor of Arts and her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia earning cum laude accolades in both degrees.

Graham currently serves as the chairperson of the Development Authority of the City of LaGrange which operates Sweetland Amphitheater. She also serves on boards for LaGrange College and WellStar West Georgia Health Services. She and her husband Sam are long-time members of LaGrange First United Methodist Church. They have two adult children, Katie Graham Poirot and Hudson Graham.  

Nicole Kennedy is the Community Coordinator for the Troup County School System and an educator of thirty-three years. She remains actively engaged in the education of children and youth in our community and in finding ways for families and volunteers to better support our community’s children. 

Kennedy is married to Ken, and they stay extremely busy with their children and grandchildren.

“Our Campaign Team is an incredible group of professionals who share a deep commitment to making a difference in our community,” said Sharon Alford, President of United Way of West Georgia. “Their collective expertise and passion will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goal and expand our impact.”

For more information about United Way or how you can get involved call the local United Way office at (706) 884-8292.