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Clarke County United Way kicks off annual campaign
Day is the 2007 campaign chairman and told a gathering at the kickoff luncheon Monday at the Grove Hill United Methodist Church that while big donations are important, "A lot of individuals, if given the opportunity, will give. We want to challenge these folks. These are not the $10,000 donors but the $25 and $50 [givers]." He said it is important that the big businesses and industries participate and that their employees contribute as they always have in good numbers. "But we don't need to overlook people such as retirees [and others]." Last year's goal was $145,000 and more than $150,000 was raised. Day said he believes this year's $155,000 goal can be met and exceeded. "We're not setting a goal for low expectations. We are setting a goal to beat it." Day said he has confidence in Clarke Countians. "Most people when given a reason to give and make a difference will. They always have." Day joked that he has had one of the busiest years ever as mayor of Thomasville but that when a group of United Way volunteers made up their minds he would be the campaign chairman they would not relent. "They told me yes before I said yes," he said of Linda Breedlove, Julia Ann Deas and Betty Barlow. The Clarke County United Way is a part of the larger United Way of Southwest Alabama that includes Mobile and Washington counties. United Way contributions help to fund a variety of social service agencies in the three counties. The local United Way prides itself on allocating 87 percent of its contributions to agencies that help more than 125,000 people in the three-county region. Only 13 percent of contributions are designated for fund-raising and administration costs. "You can't help but love this organization because of the work it does," Day said. "A $1 contribution goes to many different organizations. A few cents go a long way with United Way." Clarke County agencies funded by United Way and allocations from last year's campaign are detailed: Alpha Pregnancy Testing Center, Sav-A-Life, Jackson, a new United Way agency, not yet funded. American Red Cross, Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter, $9,689. Bay Area Food Bank, $3,600. Boy Scouts of America, Mobile Area Council, $9,000. Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Alabama, $462. Catholic Social Services, $10,800. Clarke County Association for Retarded Citizens, $25,200. Clarke County Kingdom Builders, $3,600. Community Action Agency, a new agency, not yet funded. Drug Education Council, $6,750. Epilepsy Foundation of South Alabama, $2,700. Girl Scouts of the Deep South Council, $6,300. Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast, $8,100. Home of Grace for Women, $4,500. Lifelines Family Counseling Center, $6,750. Preschool for the Sensory Impaired, $3,600. Regional Child Advocacy Center, $16,200. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, $5,400. South Alabama CCARES (HIV/AIDS assistance, education), $2,700. Southwest Alabama Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board, $5,175. The Salvation Army, Thomasville, $5,400.
United Cerebral Palsy, $5,580.
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