United Way

United Way goal is $700,000

Greg Moses
Staff Writer
The Daily Post-Athenian

The United Way of McMinn and Meigs Counties announced this year's goal to be $700,000 at its 2008 fundraising campaign kickoff Thursday at the McMinn County Senior Activity Center.

The announcement came after Campaign Chairman Larry Wallace ensured the crowd of United Way supporters that this year's table decorations, which included sheriff's badges and cowboy hats, had no special meaning.

"When they told me we were going with badges and hats, I felt I had to call Sheriff (Steve) Frisbie and assure him that I'm not running for sheriff," Wallace said with a laugh.

On the United Way's $700,000 goal, Wallace said it was a realistic one.

"It's $40,000 more than we raised last year. And guess what: $40,000 is the same amount that we gave from our reserves to help Collins and Aikman employees," Wallace said, referring to the Athens plant which recently announced it was closing.

United Way President's Council Chairman Carter Runyan said the goal of the President's Council would be $200,000 of the $700,000 overall goal.

"As of (Wednesday), we have raised $46,390 in the President's Council," said Runyan, adding that amount included donations from six new members and a 14.5 percent increase on donations from existing members.

The President's Council is comprised of members who donate $500 or more annually.

"Last year's President Council membership went from 174 to 200, with an annual gift increase from $155,516 to $173,373, an 11.5 percent increase last year. This accounted for a 26.3 percent of total giving last year," Runyan said.

Based on the numbers for last year, Runyan said the President's Council goal for this year should be at least $185,000. However, Runyan felt the President's Council could give more.

"We need to shoot a little bit higher," said Runyan, who then announced the President's Council goal would be $200,000.

"I think we can do that real easy," he said. "Our hope is to encourage people to revisit their giving and encourage them to maybe give more."

"Will it be a challenge to reach $700,000? Yes it will," said Wallace. "Will we be able to do it without teamwork? No, we won't."

Wallace later introduced this year's Pacesetters "who have led the way in helping us reach our goals." Athens Regional Medical Center was recognized for raising the most money in a single event, which was $1,042. Also recognized were four organizations who had seen the largest increase in their percentage of giving over last year. The Daily Post-Athenian, Jackson & Runyan, SouthEast Bank & Trust and Tennessee Wesleyan College were all recognized for this achievement. TWC had the highest percentage increase at 41 percent over last year's giving.

With the amounts raised by the Pacesetters and the President's Council, the total amount raised to date by the United Way is $359,758, "about halfway there" in Wallace's estimation.

"There's a tremendous challenge in front of us," Wallace said. "But we live in an area of the state where there is a lot of need."

Despite the foreseen challenge, United Way President Wayne Scarbrough had a positive outlook on the future.

"We all know why we're here," said Scarbrough. "And I can sincerely say the United Way of McMinn and Meigs Counties works."

The kickoff event ended with the auctioning of a grill donated by Dynasty Spas, which Scarbrough called "one impressive piece of barbecuing infrastructure."

Upcoming United Way events will include the Fall Ball Tennis Tournament to be held Oct. 13-14, and Gas Day, which is sponsored by Sweetwater Valley Oil and will be held on Oct. 20.

For more information, contact the United Way at 745-9606.