United Way drive off to good start

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Morgan County’s 2006 United Way campaign is off to a good start thanks to the fundraising efforts of 13 pacesetter organizations.
Gifts and pledges totaling $450,000 were reported at a campaign kick-off meeting in Decatur on Sept. 12. That amount represents about 22 percent of a $2 million goal.
A record $311,000 was raised from the annual Daiken America Charity Golf Tournament.
It was held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Muscle Shoals on Sept. 9 with 244 golfers participating. Last year the event raised $260,000.
An incomplete report from Cerro Wire &Cable Co. of Hartselle, another pacesetter, showed that employees already have pledged $26,000, or the amount of their entire gift in 2005. Also, corporate pledges from 3M and Compass Bank were up by 20 and 25 per cent, respectively, over last year.
Pollitt said pledge cards and a brochure spotlighting the services provided by 32 participating agencies, including Meals on Wheels and Hospice of the Valley, should be in the hands of other prospective donors within a week to 10 days.
The target date for completion of the campaign is Nov. 15.
Pollitt also pointed out that the United Way has entered into a partnership agreement with Community Action to begin a resource referral service—211—for families needing assistance by the end of this month.