They are the visible — and sometimes not-so-visible — hands of the community. Some feed the hungry. Some clothe the needy. Some shelter the homeless. Wherever there is need, they are there. They are the pacesetters for their organizations as well as for Lowndes County.
Friday morning, organizers from the United Way of Lowndes County took time to thank these pacesetters with breakfast at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle Outpatient Pavilion.
Over biscuits and eggs, area leaders watched a video showing some of the 18 nonprofit agencies that benefit from funding by the United Way, including the American Red Cross, the YMCA, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts and the Salvation Army.
United Way”s preliminary fall fundraising campaign begins Aug. 24, with the communitywide campaign beginning Sept. 1. It will continue through Thanksgiving.
Last year, the United Way of Lowndes County raised more than $500,000, which was short of its $600,000 goal. The goal for this year will be announced Sept. 1.
Since 2000, United Way of Lowndes County has given more than $150,000 to aid local relief agencies. Ninety-nine percent of funds given to the local United Way are used locally. Campaign chairman Marilyn Agnew said every little bit helps.
“What leaves the heart reaches the heart,” Agnew told the group.
This year”s 2012 United Way Pacesetters include 4-County Electric Power Association, American Eurocopter, Bancorp South, BankFirst Financial Services, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, Belk, Cadence Bank, Ceco Building Systems, Century 21 Doris Hardy and Associates, East Mississippi Community College, Ellisville State Schools Community Programs, Federal Express, Galloway-Chandler-McKinney Insurance, Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, Mitchell, McNutt and Sams PA, Nammo Talley Defense Systems, Newell Paper Company, Paccar Engine Company, Regions Bank, Renasant Bank, Stafford Realty Services, T.E. Lott and Company, the CPI Group and Trustmark Bank.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
