By By Kerry Whipple Bean – publisher
For Rogene Martin, United Fund donations mean her Red Cross volunteers can provide immediate assistance for families in need after a disaster.
For Joey Shell, United Fund money means his Little League teams will be outfitted in new uniforms and have the chance to participate in sports.
And for Angie Johnson, support from the United Fund of Brewton and East Brewton means she and others at Hope Place can provide tutoring and assistance to families throughout the area.
The United Fund kicked off its fundraising drive Thursday, aiming to reach a $90,000 goal to help 14 agencies in Brewton and East Brewton.
One by one on Thursday, agency directors and volunteers stood up at the kickoff luncheon to tell how donations help their efforts.
United Fund, which met its fundraising goal last year, gives more than 99 cents of every dollar to its 14 member agencies.
Jernigan said those agencies have shown time and again how important they are to the community - especially during crises such as Hurricane Ivan.
Martin said Red Cross uses its funding to help assist at disasters such as hurricanes and house fires.
&#8220United Fund means so much to us,” Martin said. &#8220We go to the scenes of fires. The funding makes such a difference for us. We're able to provide for the immediate needs of families.”
Dan Shaddock of the YMCA said United Fund &#8220keeps us from becoming liars.”
Roger Chapman of Brewton Parks and Recreation Department said United Fund donations helps fund all of the department's youth sports. &#8220We look forward to a successful campaign,” he said.
Jernigan said the United Fund's drive allows agencies to focus on services, not fundraising.
Anyone interested in donating to United Fund can call board president Sandy English at English Realty at 867-2289 or mail donations to United Fund of Brewton and East Brewton, P.O. Box 34, Brewton, AL 36427. Pledge cards will also be available at English Realty.
United Fund agencies include: Brewton Area YMCA, American Red Cross-East Escambia County Chapter, Girl Scouts-Deep South Council, Brewton Public Library, 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, Escambia County Cooperative Library System, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Disabled Children and Adults-Brewton Chapter, Hope Place Family Resource and Christian Community Benevolent Fund.