United Way of the Coastal Empire Bryan County area director Kristi Cox got a rousing ovation when she said Bryan County Schools employees were the single biggest donor to the annual campaign with some $50,362 raised out of a countywide total of some $203,000.

The announcement came at the board’s December school board meeting. Cox said it was an unusual campaign.

"This was a struggle this year because we had Hermine and then Matthew and things were looking a little bleak, but our community is amazing," Cox said. "As of today we are at $203,585 for Bryan County."

The school that raised the most per capita was Carver Elementary with $106.85 per employee for a total of $7,674.05.

The largest percent increase over last year at 104.14 percent with a total donation of $7,102 was Richmond Hill Elementary School.

Cox said this is the fourth consecutive year the school system has been the largest county donor to the campaign.

The school board also approved the following:

• The retirement of school employees Ervin Scriven, James Sweat, Velincia Baron, Stephanie Scofield, Sherree Teston, Carol Sue Simons and Nita Wells.

• A $5,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill.