By Staff
Agency has new name, but same, local focus
By BILL CRIST Publisher
The United Way of Brewton and East Brewton has a new name, but the same mission.
This year United Fund of Brewton and East Brewton will kick off its 2004 fundraising campaign in October, with a six-week goal of raising $90,000 for local charitable groups. This year, funds will be distributed to 14 local groups.
According to board members, the change in name was made so that all the money raised would go directly to local groups. In the past, a small amount, roughly one percent, of the funds were sent to the national United Way for the use of the national name and marketing materials.
The United Fund of Brewton and East Brewton will provide funding for the American Red Cross-East Escambia Chapter, Brewton Area YMCA, Brewton Parks and Recreation Dept., Escambia County Mental Health Assoc., Boy Scouts-Gulf Coast Council, Girl Scouts-Deep South Council, Southwest Alabama Mental Health/Mental Retardation board, Brewton Public Library, Escambia County Cooperative Library System, Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, Disabled Children and Adults-Brewton Chapter, Salvation Army, Christian Community Benevolent Fund and Kid One Transport (through All Children Together).
For several years, the local fundraising campaign was able to give $50,000 or so to the agencies it supports. That amount has grown in the past two years, with approximately $90,000 provided to the agencies.
According to the group's bylaws, the primary mission is to "maintain and improve the excellent standards of social services in Brewton and East Brewton by actively promoting an effective and economical fundraising program; to encourage cooperation and teamwork among the agencies serving the communities' needs and to ensure the fair and equitable apportionment fo the funds raised according to the real needs of the participating agencies."
Campaign workers will spread across the community during the six-week campaign, speaking with local businesses, civic groups and other donors about how the member agencies benefit from the local donations.
One of the themes that has been successful over the past several campaigns is the concept of donors "doing their fair share."
Fair share is defined by the United Fund board as the equivalent of one hour's pay per month. That means that a worker earning $10 per hour, would donate $10 per month, or $120 per year.
The local board of directors is made up of volunteers who serve three-year terms. For more information about this year's campaign, or to volunteer for this year's campaign, contact Mark Manning at 867-4876.