United Way campaign begins
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on August 4, 2016 1:46 PM
United Way's 2016 Frontrunners campaign is underway. There are five local businesses participating this year, and their combined goal is $40,703 to improve the lives of 815 local people.
This year's Frontrunners are Daniels and Daniels Construction, North Carolina Community Federal Credit Union, Franklin Baking, Southern Bank and Trust and Sentry Insurance.
"We are asking our Frontrunners to set a goal based upon their potential, but no less than a minimum goal of 3 percent over their 2015 pledge," said United Way of Wayne County director Steve Parr.
The Frontrunners conduct their campaigns before the general campaign even begins. They help set the pace for each year's campaign, Parr said.
These early drives must be complete before Aug. 15. They will be recognized at United Way's annual benefit kickoff concert Aug. 19.
The goal of the 2016 general campaign is $1,234,000 to improve 24,680 lives.
"United Way of Wayne County is not focused on raising money," Parr said. "It is focused on garnering resources to relieve suffering, help people and give them opportunity, hope and safety."
He said donations are more than just a checkbook, it's something that has a ripple effect -- it spreads out and directly affects lives in Wayne County.
"It could be to help a family that has lost everything to a fire," Parr said. "It could be a person being provided a safe place in order to escape domestic violence. It could be an elderly person being provided a hot meal and being able to remain in their home. It could helping a child become prepared to enter school ready to learn. It could be a person who lost a job and became homeless being provided an opportunity to regain their dignity and rebuilding their life."
Parr said United Way partners with local organizations that address relevant community needs, with an emphasis on the population under the age of 10. United Way partially funds more than 20 local programs that have been shown to affect one in five people here.
For more information about United Way, call 919-735-3591.