Your support of United Way is helping military veterans like George who need help rebuilding relationships and overcoming problems with addiction and homelessness

Note: This story comes from Cordell Walker, executive director of Alpha Omega Veteran’s Services, one of United Way’s network agency partners working to strengthen families and neighborhoods through improving education, income and health. Names and images have been changed to protect privacy.

George was looking for a way to dull the pains of his life and developed an addiction to alcohol and cocaine. Unable to stop drinking and using, it wasn’t long before  his life began to spiral out of control.

As a veteran in his late fifties honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, George’s addictions put a terrible strain on his family relationships. The further he retreated from his relatives, the more he had to become self-reliant – and his addictions crippled his ability to make good decisions to care for himself.

Hundreds of Mid-South fisherman are gearing up to compete for a good cause this Memorial Day weekend in the St. Jude Bass Classic. The tournament is celebrating its' 40th year.

More than $2.5 million dollars have been raised since the competition’s beginning. Every dollar goes right to the hospital.

Each year the tournament focuses on one special patient, and fishing is a big part of this year’s patients’ family.

Hayden Taylor was recently diagnosed with cancer. Taylor and his father were out on the boat fishing when they received a phone call with the life-changing news.

Taylor’s family will drive from Virginia to be a part of the tournament.

Nashville Celtic rock band Molly Ramone will come to West Tennessee on Thursday, May 17, when singer/songwriter Mark Harriman and Joe Khoury will perform at Arts in the Alley in downtown Henderson. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event will be hosted by the Henderson Arts Commission in the alley off Main Street beside Frix-Jennings Clinic.

Originally from Leiceister, England, Harriman came to America in 1995 when he signed to Gravelsauce Records. Since then he has established himself as an integral part of the Nashville music scene. Khoury plays lead guitar and mandolin and sings backing vocals. He is a prominent session player and music producer in Nashville.

Regularly featured at both the Opryland Hotel and on Music Row, Molly Ramone has a delightful way of encouraging audiences to join the excitement by clapping or singing along to both traditional Irish ballads and newer Celtic rock music.