Eathen Rainey Named 2025 United Way Board Member of the Year
Eathen Rainey Named 2025 United Way Board Member of the Year
Oxford, Mississippi, February 26, 2026
United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County has named Eathen Rainey as the recipient of its 2025 Board Member of the Year Award. Rainey, assistant vice president at BankPlus, has been a member of the UWOLC Board of Directors since March 2024.
Rainey is on the organization’s financial security advisory committee and serves as a co-chair of its Flashback Bash committee following his recent appointment as vice president for campaigns.
UWOLC Executive Director Kurt Brummett announced the award during the organization’s board of directors meeting on February 9th. In doing so, Brummett noted Rainey’s significant contributions to UWOLC and the Lafayette-Oxford-University community as well as the exceptional leadership and service he provides.
“Eathen is an incredible individual who makes everyone around him better as his character and heart for helping others are readily apparent to all who know and him,” Brummett said. “He has been an outstanding leader since joining our board of directors and a tremendous blessing to our organization as well as community.”
The UWOLC Board of Directors created the board member of the year award in 2019 to annually recognize the exemplary service of a selected board member. Board members submit nominations for the award at the end of each year and the organization’s executive committee reviews the submissions before selecting the annual recipient.
“Since the first day Eathen joined United Way, he has been eager to help everyone in every way he can,” board member Chris Dicus said in nominating Rainey. “He is very enthusiastic about his roles within the organization and provides exemplary feedback and recommendations.”
“It is truly an honor to be nominated as United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County Board Member of the Year,” Rainey said. “I am grateful to be part of an organization that consistently gives back and works tirelessly for the betterment of the Oxford and Lafayette County community.”
“This experience has reshaped how I see community by showing me that real change happens when people quietly show up for each other,” Rainey said. “The one important message I hope to share is the impact of collective generosity—how even small contributions to United Way can create meaningful change in individuals’ lives and strengthen the community we are proud to call home.”
In addition to his service with UWOLC and work at BankPlus, Rainey actively participates in the the Young Professionals of Oxford committee and serves on the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as the YPO representative. In his free time, Rainey enjoys spending time with friends, family and his fiancé, Isabel Colombo. He also enjoys hunting, fishing and playing sports whenever he can.
“Eathen values his community and seeks ways to enrich the lives of everyone around him,” Dicus said following the award announcement. “We are very fortunate to have him be a part of our organization.”
As UWOLC’s evergreen fundraising efforts continue, Rainey strongly encourages those who have not previously supported the organization to do so.
“Being engaged in local organizations has deepened my appreciation for collaboration and leadership within our community,” Rainey said. “I invite others to join our local United Way team as we create a brighter future for our community.”
