Representatives of the United Way organizations met at the Alabama Power building on U.S. 280 to officially kick off this year’s fundraising activities and discuss how they were going to accomplish them. This year’s goal is $160,000 up from last year’s goal of $145,000.
United Way of South Talladega County president Joe Richardson said, “Last year, despite a really tough time, we were able to meet the goal that we had set. We’d worried in the beginning of the year we might have to cut the funding, but we did not have to do that.
“It’s because of the hard work all of you put in and Amy (Peoples, executive director) and all the board members. The demands for this year are even greater. Our economy has not rebounded quite like we had expected it to. I don’t have to tell any of you. You know all the needs that are out there.”
Richardson said any organization that receives United Way funds will have to participate in the fundraising campaign this year because the need is so great.
Campaign chairman Adam Tipps said, “This year it’s more important than ever that we get out and get a lot of these commercial, or small business accounts.”
Because of the slow economy, the United Way of South Talladega County is sending out between two and three times more fundraising packets than last year to find funding sources the organization may not have considered in previous years, Tipps said.
“We’ve got a tough deal ahead of us, but I think we have the people who are going to be willing to pound the pavement and get it done, but we need y’alls help,” Tipps said.
Richardson said there is a misconception among many people that a large portion of the money raised goes out of the area. “Better than 95 percent of money raised in South Talladega County for United Way stays in South Talladega County,” Richardson said.
He also pointed out people who live in South Talladega County but work outside the area under an employer involved in United Way need to make sure they designate their contribution to go to the United Way of South Talladega County.
“Our number one giver is Publix at Lee Branch (near Birmingham) because we have so many people who work there who are from South Talladega County. It’s remarkable how much we get from out-of-town employers,” Richardson said.
Peoples said the United Way is also considering publishing a list of individuals who donated to show how much they contributed to the cause and get people interested in donating.
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