She spent years as a volunteer with the agency in Knox County and her involvement continued to grow. "I started in 1989 and I worked on allocations from 1990 until 2007 as a volunteer," she said. 

She worked for Image Point for 21 years before they went out of business earlier this year. Fenton is originally from Knox County and a graduate of Bearden High School and the University of Tennessee.

"I've lived in Loudon County for 15 years," she said explaining she and her husband had some very specific requirements when they were looking for a new home and they found one that was just right in Loudon County. 

At Image Point her job duties varied over the years and at the end she was a business manager for the company. That position put her in touch with a lot of corporate customers and potential donors for United Way.

Because Image Point was always very active in United Way she became a volunteer in Knox County. She became aware of the Loudon County United Way through joint projects.

She said her close association with corporate clients was probably one of the main reasons she was chosen to become the director in Loudon County. Fenton said that United Way Loudon County did not previously have a director but was led by a coordinator/manager. 

"The goal is to increase the awareness of United Way in Loudon County, to grow and become more active in the community," Fenton said of how she is approaching her new role.  She said while most people are aware of the big, well-advertised fund raising campaigns people need to be aware rasing funds is just one aspect of the agency.

"Today United Way is more than that. The role is becoming how to get the community involved and let them decide what the needs are and what we need to be working on," Fenton said.  

She said donors can specify what they want their donation to be used for or they can let the agency decide. "It can work both ways. They (United Way) have a process for allocation, the agencies make presentations and show what impact they're having on the community," she said adding in many ways the agency works to get the funds from the people and organizations who want to donate to the people who need help.

"United Way kind of stewards them and they also look for ways to increase collaboration between them," Fenton said. Overall, she said she sees the roll of United Way as a facilitator whose main role is to  be "always focusing on the needs of the community."

Fenton reported the economy didn't hurt the United Way campaign as much as might be expected.

"Actually Loudon County did real well last year, they had a slight increase. I think that shows a lot about the community," she said. 

In fact, she said she thinks the economic downturn could have a silver lining. " I think the economy gives us opportunity," she said explaining that potential donors can see the needs around them more clearly.

"People can more easily understand the needs of the community," Fenton said adding people tend to be generous when they're not just helping strangers but people who they know need help. She said she views help as not just making a donation but informing people despite hard times there are those who can help.

"This is the opportunity to help everyone including employers who have had to lay off people. We can help put them in touch with agencies that can help these employees," she explained.  

Fenton said her new job is to make people aware of all the ways United Way can make their lives better. "There's other ways beyond the campaigns to use United Way to make a better community."

Fenton said she sees the agency as a conduit to put those in need in touch with those who can help. She cited the agency's work to help families work through the issues with their aging parents.

"We try to bring groups of people together to work on issues," she said. Loudon County United Way is very concerned about health issues as well as educational issues.

Fenton said her job is to help coordinate all different kinds of groups. She said she wants to get the word out to residents of Loudon County the agency is here to help and that neighbors are willing to step up to the plate. 

While the big campaigns in Knoxville may get most of the publicity she said she wants to make sure everyone understands local people are willing to help. 

"They might not be aware that Loudon County is just as involved," she said.