United Way debuts new campaign video
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on July 23, 2008 1:48 PM
A county united in taking care of its own -- that was the message United Way of Wayne County shared Tuesday as the organization's volunteers gathered to debut the 2008 campaign's new video.
The short film, which includes testimonials from 12 local investors and beneficiaries about the programs and services supported by the United Way, premiered during a special screening at Wayne Community College.
News-Argus/Dennis Hill
Patty Huffman looks over placards touting United Way's annual fundraising campaign at a presentation of the organization's new video at Wayne Community College on Wednesday.
Handling the concept and direction of the video was volunteer Todd Weeks of GypsyQuaker, a public relations firm that has donated its services to be part of this year's county campaign. The company has an office in Mount Olive.
The production of the video, which included still photos from many of the organizations the United Way supports, was done by Bruce Wittman of Eagle Video Productions -- also on a volunteer basis.
United Way Board of Directors marketing committee chairman Lynn Williams of Mt. Olive Pickle Co. said the video is part of the organization's campaign to remind Wayne County residents that the United Way touches lives all over the county.
"It is about Wayne County taking care of its own," she said. "We hope when people see the video that they will see people they know."
Mrs. Williams said the new video and other campaign materials were developed to promote the community spirit that is the basis for the organization's efforts to support charities and service agencies that take care of residents from all areas and of all ages -- a reflection of a diverse community connected by caring for one another.
"We live in north of the river and south of the river," she said. "We are farmers and executives, truck drivers and nurses. We are united in our concern for each other."
And this year, especially, it is going to take a community to meet those needs.
The money raised by the campaign this year will stay right in the community and help children, senior citizens and residents who are hit by tragedy and health challenges, Mrs. Williams added.
Campaign chairman David Perry of Goldsboro Builders Supply said a fleet of local volunteers is ready to hit the road to talk to residents and businesses all over the county when the campaign officially kicks off Aug. 5 with the Taste of Wayne County.
And there will be plenty of new faces, he added.
"We have a whole new slate of folks volunteering, some of whom have not been United Way supporters in the past," Perry said. "We also have lots of young people involved this year."
Campaign volunteers are already working with the Frontrunners effort, which gets local companies to record their pledges early. The results of that first effort will be unveiled at the Taste of Wayne County.
The video is available for viewing on www.unitedwaywaynecountync.org.
Those interested in having a presentation of the video or to hear more call the United Way office at 735-3591.