HELEN — Helen officials said they are excited to have the United Way of White County move its fundraising dinner into the city.
Last week, the city commission approved providing a letter of approval for the organization to obtain a special event nonprofit license from the Georgia Department of Revenue for the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises in conjunction with the United Way of White County Celebrity Golf Tournament Dinner to be held at Holiday Inn Express Conference Center, 8100 S. Main St., on April 18.
United Way of White County supports 16 agencies in White County, with a major portion of its income being derived from the celebrity golf tournament and dinner.
Matt Adams, president of United Way of White County, answered commissioners' questions about the event this week, and further discussed it after that meeting.
"This is our 15th year of having a celebrity golf tournament," Adams said. "In the past we've had our Tuesday night banquet at Unicoi. One of our committee members is the general manager at Holiday Inn, so with the addition to the city we felt like it was a good idea to move the entire event to Helen."
In addition to centralizing the entire event inside Helen, the cost savings will allow more money to flow back into the community.
"Part of our reason for moving it is because Unicoi was charging us $4,500 for the banquet event alone," Adams told commissioners. "Trying to be good stewards of the money that we return to White County and taking advantage of Holiday Inn's generosity, we decided to move it down there this year."
But moving it from Unicoi State Park Lodge, which can serve alcohol, left United Way leaders working on ways of serving alcohol at the event's new location.
"By moving it away from Unicoi, there were some logistics that we had to get through, and part of that was making sure that we had permission and a special allowance to be able to serve and sell alcohol at this special event," Adams said.
Since Holiday Inn does not have an alcohol license, United Way of White County is contracting with Bigg Daddy's Restaurant and Tavern to serve alcohol at the event's cash bar. That way, the servers already have the required server badge, are licensed with the city, and are familiar with city rules regarding serving.
"The golf tournament is our primary fundraiser," Adams said. "We have 16 agencies that we support that do some type of programming in White County, and traditionally we've been able to give away anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000 each year."
Helen City Attorney Carl Free, past United Way of White County president and treasurer and board member for 17 years, stressed the organization and the city must follow the state's procedure for obtaining a nonprofit special event license.
"That's why we're here today is working with the City of Helen trying to promote the community and bring another event to the city," Adams said.
Lindsey Holt of Bigg Daddy's said any money raised through the sale of alcohol at the dinner will go back to United Way of White County.
"We're trying to save money," Holt told commissioners. "If United Way purchases the alcohol through the contract through our license, then what we make off selling alcohol will go to United Way. It's not going to go to benefit Bigg Daddy's."
Holt said she would check with state officials to ensure all proper procedures are followed regarding alcohol sales.
"You're covered as far as the city is concerned," Free said. "Check with the state about where the alcohol needs to be delivered. I'm not sure the rule on that."
Commissioner Jeff Ash said he liked the idea.
"I'm grateful the alcohol sales are being controlled by a licensed owner here that knows how to do it," Ash said.
Holt pointed out another positive of having the event in Helen is that once the dinner is over, people don't have to travel. They can simply go up to their hotel rooms.
"This event is unique in that we have celebrities come in, so it does kind of create a locked in number of folks that can participate," Adams said. "Darrel Chaney, our local celebrity, has already got about 30 celebrities signed up and we're two months away. It sells out."
Adams was quick to praise Helen for its support of United Way.
"You all support United Way in so many ways up here in Helen, not only the golf tournament, but also Festival of Trees and pushing folks up there [to Unicoi] in the holiday season, so we greatly appreciate you all and your support."
More than 96 percent of funds raised by United Way of White County go directly to the supported agencies.
Tax-deductible contributions may be mailed to United Way of White County, P.O. Box 1288, Cleveland, GA 30528.
