About Us
LIVE UNITED.
United Way of Bristol TN/VA (UWB) unites people and resources to build a stronger community. We serve as the champions of our community, empowering individuals and improving lives, while striving for IDEALS that facilitate lasting, positive change. It is our job to know our community’s toughest challenges and every day we find the best ways to bring people together to solve the issues that matter most. We are improving lives and empowering every family by focusing on health, education, financial stability and basic needs – the cornerstones of a strong community. When you support United Way, you make a measurable difference for local children and families. United Way of Bristol is the one organization that impacts every segment of our community from infants to our seniors and all those in-between.
Along with being an important conduit for agency funding, United Way of Bristol (UWB) also serves as an active advocate for social needs in our community while also providing direct services to those who need us the most. All dollars raised during the annual campaign stay here in our local community (unless designated by the donor) to meet the ever-growing needs of our most vulnerable population. United Way of Bristol operates the following programs that provide critical services in our community.
Why United Way of Bristol?
Because we… are dedicated to helping individuals and families who are vulnerable and at risk meet their emergency needs, stabilize their lives and ultimately achieve a better quality of life.
Because we… draw upon local knowledge, data and expertise to understand our community’s needs in order to identify where gaps exist and concentrate on what works in addressing them, serving as a powerful advocate on critical health and human issues.
Because for… 70 years, United Way of Bristol (formerly Community Chest of Bristol and the United Fund of Bristol) has been our community’s human service leader, encouraging all residents to support our efforts to provide services for people in crisis situations.
Because we… have an annual fundraising campaign to raise the dollars necessary to provide financial support to organizations and initiatives that help prevent our most vulnerable citizens, especially children from falling through the cracks.
Because each year… all United Way of Bristol partner agencies go through a rigorous evaluation process to determine that the dollars allocated to their programs are being utilized effectively and efficiently.
Because… all money contributed to the United Way of Bristol stays in our local community, unless designated otherwise by the donor.
LISA COFER
Lisa joined the United Way of Bristol as their Executive Director in June 1998. Prior to joining the United Way, she served as Vice President of Member Services for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
Lisa is a native of Bristol and a graduate of Virginia Intermont College with a BA in Business Management.
She is a graduate of the Leadership programs in Bristol, Kingsport, and Washington County Virginia.
She is a member of the Bristol Noon Rotary Club.
She is a 1997 recipient of the Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award and a recipient of the YWCA’s Tribute to Women in 2000. She is the past President of Bristol Organizations and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness.
Lisa served as the President of both the Van Pelt Elementary School and the Virginia Middle School PTA programs
Lisa has been married to her husband Mark for 34 years. They have one daughter Logan Sydni and son-in-law, David. They enjoy family time, boating and UT football.
LORIE BRADLEY
Lorie Bradley joined the United Way of Bristol on November 2, 1998. She was born in Maryland and has lived all over the United States as the daughter of a Navy officer. She has lived in the Bristol area since 1986 and considers Bristol her home. She graduated from Sullivan Central High School in 1987 and has many years of office managerial experience.
She served on the Board of Directors for the YWCA Bristol from 2002-2010. She served on the Mayors Award of Distinction committee in 2011. Currently, she serves on the Emergency Food and Shelter Board in Sullivan County and administers the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for the City of Bristol Virginia.
Lorie and her husband Brian have been married for 35 years and love to spend time with their grandson, Myles.
DEBBIE HELTON
Debbie Helton joined the United Way of Bristol in July 1998. She graduated from St. Paul High School in 1976 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and Public Administration from Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia in 1980, and a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration from Bristol College in 1987.
She attends Victory Bible Fellowship in Bluff City. She has two sons, Chase and Grant and resides in Bluff City with her beloved Scottish Terrier, Andy.
