Surrounded by nearly two hundred volunteers, the Wiregrass United Way announced that the goal for this year’s campaign would be $2.23 million. That is a $30,000 increase over last year’s goal of $2.2 million. The announcement was made at the annual campaign kickoff event held September 30th at the National Peanut Festival in Dothan.
United Way board members, campaign leaders, agency representatives and employee coordinators from various Wiregrass businesses were on hand for the announcement. The Wiregrass United Way also announced that they had already raised $631, 996.07 which represents 28.34% of the goal.
The money raised to date comes from area companies who participated in the Pacesetter program. Pacesetters are companies who agree to conduct their United Way campaign during the month of August.
Many of those companies were on hand for the kickoff and were presented large black and white checkered flags for completing their campaigns. In addition, twelve companies were highlighted for exceptional campaigns. They were AWC Carriers, Unicel, Toyota of Dothan, Wiregrass Medical Center and Nursing Home, Vivian B. Adams School, Wallace Community College, Slocomb National Bank, Wal-Mart Supercenter South in Dothan, AmSouth Bank, Lewis-Smith Supply, Mobile Attic and Dunbarton.
The featured speaker for the kickoff was John Gunn, Executive Director of the Hawk-Houston Boys and Girls Club. John is a product of the United Way system. He shared his personal story of how the United Way has directly affected his life. John’s story touched on how numerous United Way agencies impacted his life and the life of his family for many years. He told stories of growing up at the Boys and Girls Club of Dothan and the relationship he developed there and the difference the club made in his life.
Sen. Smith thanked everyone attending the kickoff for what they had already done in planning and organizing employee campaigns. She also encouraged them to work over the next two months so the goal would be surpassed not just met. They are numerous volunteers involved this year. Sen. Smith announced the five county campaign chairs who are working closely with her this year: Coffee County - Jeff Brannon, Dale County – Rep. Steve Clouse, Geneva County - David Snell, Henry County – Lester Killebrew and Houston County – Mike Schmitz.
The campaign kickoff was organized by the Wiregrass United Way Special Event committee. This committee will also be responsible for the mid-campaign report meeting on October 28th and the campaign celebration in January. Lana Smitherman is the committee chair and Cynthia Green is the vice-chair. Others on this committee are Bob and Carla Woodall, Taylor Barbaree, Felecia Brackin, Mitzi Gulledge and Michael Love.
The Wiregrass United Way has served the Wiregrass area since 1938, currently funding 36 member agencies serving Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties. Funds raised by Wiregrass United Way are utilized locally in the five county area. A committee of local volunteers determines how the funds are distributed among the member agencies. For more information call 792-9661.