By By Lydia Grimes
features reporter
Agencies supported by United Fund work to fill the needs of people of all ages in Brewton and East Brewton, officials said Wednesday at the kickoff for United Fund’s fall campaign.
Those attending the luncheon at the Country Club of Brewton were the officers in the United Fund and representatives with each agency supported by the United Fund. This year’s goal is to raise $90,000 to support the agencies involved.
The United Fund gives more than 99 cents of each dollar it raises for the 17 member agencies it supports. That means the money raised here will be used here, in the form of services for those who live in the community.
The 17 agencies who are supported by the United Fund are Brewton Area YMCA, American Red Cross-East Escambia County Chapter, Girl Scouts-Deep South Council, Brewton Public Library, Community Character Project, Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center, Brewton Parks and Recreation Department, Escambia County Mental Health Association, Boy Scouts-Gulf Coast Council, East Brewton Youth Sports, Southwest Alabama Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board, Wheels of Wellness, Escambia County Cooperative Library System, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Disabled Children and Adults-Brewton Chapter, Hope Place Family Resource and Christian Community Benevolent Fund.
The YMCA reaches out to provide scholarships for economically disadvantaged families.
The Red Cross uses its part of the United Fund to provide relief services during disasters, safety training and community classes, and Project Share.
The Girl Scouts will help to offset the fees for a variety of council programs.
The Brewton Public Library will use their money to provide the community with a variety of literature and educational materials.
The Community Character Project will use their share to serve the schools in the area with experimental charter building challenges, and has had more than 7,000 students participate in one of the rallies over the past four years.
The Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center provides resources and services to child victims of abuse, their families and the community.
Brewton Parks and Recreation Department helps sponsor Brewton Youth Football teams as well as Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams.
Escambia County Mental Health Association provides mental health related services that are not currently provided by state agencies and also the Brewton Nutrition Center, Children in the Middle and Meals on Wheels.
The Boy Scouts will use the funding to provide the materials, training, programs and support to Scouts and leaders in our area.
East Brewton Youth Sports will use the funds to offer the cost of youth activities including East Brewton Youth Football and East Brewton Little League.
Southwest Alabama Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board operates the Escambia County Activity Center in Brewton. The provide over 7,000 days of Day Habitation for mentallly retarded adults in the Brewton area.
Wheels of Wellness helps providing funding for transportation to health care services and providers for women and children.
Escambia County Cooperative Library System provides for the Books by Mail program, which sends out more than 6,000 books for rural and homebound residents.
Alabama Cooperative Extension Services uses their money to support the youth programs involved in the 4-H and County Foods Nutrition Program.
Disabled Children and Adults-Brewton Chapter is run through the Department of Human Resources and provides transportation to handicapped persons traveling to clinics around the state and sponsors individuals to attend Camp ASCCA.
Hope Place provides families and neighborhoods with a wide range of support services and educational opportunities needed to succeed at raising healthy, responsible, productive and joyous children.
The Christian Community Benevolent Fund helps the less fortunate in the Brewton area with emergency assistance for living necessities.