In a festive environment at the Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center in Dothan, the Wiregrass United Way announced that the goal for this year’s campaign would be $2,555,555.55. The announcement was made at the annual campaign kickoff event held Thursday, September 6th. Bob Woodall, overall campaign chairman for this year made the announcement.
Immediately following this, David Johnston, Chairman Elect of the Wiregrass Foundation made a challenge pledge to the Wiregrass United Way. If the United Way reaches its goal the Wiregrass Foundation will contribute $200,000 to the organization. On top of that, the Wiregrass Foundation pledged that if the Wiregrass United Way can reach $2.6 million this year they will contribute another $200,000 for a total of $400,000.
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 $850,638 which represents 33.28% of the goal.
The money raised to date comes from 98 area businesses who participated in the Pacesetter program. Pacesetters are companies who agree to conduct their United Way campaign during the month of August.
Many of these companies were on hand for the kickoff. Several area businesses were highlighted for exceptional campaigns this year. They included AAA Cooper Transportation, City Bank of Hartford, City of Dothan, City of Ozark, Coffee County Schools, Flowers Insurance Agency, Henry County Schools, Insurance Center of the Southeast, JCPenney, Lewis-Smith Supply, Medical Center Enterprise, Michelin North America, Personnel Resources, SunSouth Bank, The People’s Bank of Coffee County, Vivian B. Adams School, Wiregrass Medical Center and Nursing Home and Wise Center for Child Abuse Prevention.
Mr. Woodall thanked all who attended and challenged everyone to continue working hard to reach not only the goal but to reach $2.6 million so the agencies can benefit from an additional $400,000. Hundreds of volunteers will be involved in this year’s campaign. The five county campaign chairs who are working closely with Woodall this year are: Coffee County – Toni Kaminski, Dale County – Billy Blackwell, Geneva County – Mayor Karen Simmons, Henry County – Tim McCraney and Houston County – Mike McCann.
The Wiregrass United Way has served the Wiregrass area since 1938, currently funding 37 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.