United Way to kick off fundraising

United Way of Bedford County executive director Dawn Holley, board chair Scott Cocanougher and vice-chair Johnny Reed discuss upcoming activities during an executive committee meeting held Wednesday. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

United Way of Bedford County is now preparing for its fall fundraising campaign; campaign coordinators from participating companies are receiving pledge cards and literature, and many will attend a kickoff event Tuesday night at H.V. Griffin Park.

This year, instead of a breakfast kickoff as in the past, the event will be a cookout, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., with hamburgers, hot dogs, and live music.

Anyone interested in attending the kickoff should contact their company's campaign coordinator or call the United Way office at 684-6685. Organizers need an estimate of attendance so that food can be provided.

United Way is a consolidated giving program which allows donors to make a single contribution, or a weekly payroll deduction, which is used to support a variety of local agencies.

Participating employers will give their employees a chance to sign up for payroll deduction, or to make a one-time gift, during the fall campaign. Those who aren't affiliated with a participating employer can also give individually to United Way.

The campaign committee, also composed of volunteers, is responsible for the fund-raising campaign held each fall. Much of the campaign emphasis is on payroll deduction. Employees at local businesses, industries and other organizations are given a chance to donate to United Way by having a small amount deducted from each paycheck -- a relatively-painless way to make what can amount to a significant donation. Tonya Davis and Paula Burks are this year's campaign committee chairs.

Each local United Way makes its own funding decisions, based on the work done by an allocations committee composed of local volunteers. Those volunteers study each agency's funding requests, talk to agency executives, and examine the work already being done by the agency. They must then decide how to allocate the available funds to have the most impact. Agencies must be established and must be able to document that they serve Bedford County residents in order to receive funding.

United Way is governed by a local volunteer board of directors, which sets overall policy and direction. The allocations committee, composed of community volunteers who may or may not be board members, makes the funding recommendations, which are then approved by the full board.

Child Safety Day

The kickoff cookout is not the only event being planned by United Way this season.

In 2006, United Way began hosting an annual "Child Safety Day" in October at H.V. Griffin Park. Parents can receive free identification kits and have their child fingerprinted, so that a record of the child's identity can be given to law enforcement in case of an emergency. There are also fun and educational safety activities for the children, on topics like fire safety.

Last year, on a separate date, United Way sponsored child seat safety checks. Parents could bring their vehicles and child safety seats to be examined by a certified inspector. The inspector teaches the parents how to install, adjust and use the seat correctly, checks to make sure the seat is the proper type and size for the child, and checks to make sure the seat is not on any recall lists.

This year, the two events will be combined along with a health fair, a five-kilometer (3.1-mile) run, and a one-mile "fun run," all scheduled for Oct. 25 at the park. The health fair will be hosted by Bedford County Health Council.

5K sponsors sought

Sponsors are still being sought for the 5K run. Some runners have already signed up at the web site Active.com; registration forms are also available from United Way.

United Way will also have its annual Christmas ornament fundraiser during the holiday season. This year's ornament, part of a series depicting local landmarks, will feature the historic Shelbyville rock jail. Previous ornaments have featured the county courthouse and the wrought-iron arches over the entrance to the Celebration grounds.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

For more information about the event, contact Holley at 684-6685. Organizers need an estimate of attendance so that food can be provided.