Chamber kicks off fundraising campaign
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on September 18, 2011 1:50 AM
A lively kickoff ceremony for the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce's new fundraising effort Thursday began a seven-week campaign as the chamber seeks to solidify itself as a financially strong entity to assist businesses in the area.
The chamber set a goal of $150,000 to raise in seven weeks and intends to use a consultant's program to earn revenue through a Total Resource Campaign, which divides members into teams that personally visit business owners in the community to accept pledges to help fund the chamber.
Each team member pledged an amount to raise, leading to a pledge total amount of $169,500.
"The goal of this morning is to think about just that -- goals," Chamber President Marian Mason said during the early stages of the meeting, which was held at Heritage Hall at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Mrs. Mason told the audience of about 60 that the Wayne County Chamber's campaign was the first of its kind in North Carolina. County and city officials were on hand for the breakfast that featured a speech from Col. Anne Winkler, the commander of the 4th Fighter Wing's Mission Support Group.
She spoke of the importance of the chamber to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and how teamwork between the entities could lead to a brighter future for the area.
The campaign will see five teams of chamber members approaching other members for financial contributions to the chamber through Nov. 1. A special celebration is scheduled for Nov. 2 to mark the end of the campaign.