GATE CITY — The United Way of Southwest Virginia held a luncheon Thursday to officially kick off its 2012 fund-raising campaign for Scott County.
Just over two dozen people representing local businesses, service agencies and nonprofit organizations attended the event, which was hosted by the Scott County Chamber of Commerce at the Scott County Park and Golf Course.
The theme for the 2012 Scott County United Way campaign is “Living United — Advancing the Common Good: Creating Opportunities for a Better Life for All.”
United Way Campaign Committee Chair Elizabeth Bowen said the organization’s goal this year is to raise $140,000 by Dec. 31 to help 13 entities that provide a wide range of assistance to children, the elderly and families in crisis living in Scott County.
“United Way makes it easier for people who want to help these 13 agencies,” Bowen said. “Instead of writing 13 separate checks, it makes it easy for a contributor to say ‘Okay, I’m going to give it to the United Way, and they’re going to distribute it to these 13 agencies.’”
The United Way was able to exceed its goal of $130,000 in 2011 and hopes to do the same this year, Bowen said.
Bowen said examples of agencies and organizations that receive monetary support from the Scott County campaign include the Red Cross, Appalachian Community Action Agency, Christmas CART and Clinch River Health Services.
Members of several of those agencies addressed attendees during Thursday’s event.
“They serve as a constant reminder as to why we do this,” Bowen said. “When you have ‘Give, Advocate and Volunteer’ as your motto, it really brings it home to you because you see those agency representatives, and you hear about all they do and the people who benefit from the work they do, and it makes you feel good that that’s where my money’s going or where I’m going to volunteer. It brings it home for you. ... It’s more than just a name on an agency.”
Although the Scott County campaign officially began Thursday, Bowen said the United Way of Southwest Virginia has already raised over 77 percent of its goal, or roughly $108,000, through donations from Eastman Chemical Co. employees.
As a result, Bowen said businesses and others in Scott County will work the final two months of the year to raise the remaining $32,000.
In addition to fund raising, Bowen said businesses involved in the campaign also provide assistance by encouraging their employees to do volunteer work with the various groups United Way helps.
Bowen said anyone interested in donating to the United Way, setting up their own campaign, or just volunteering for one of the 13 agencies can visit www.swvaunitedway.org/ or contact the United Way of Southwest Virginia at uwswva@mounet.com or (276) 431-3130.