United Way of Marion County will kick-off its annual fundraising campaign Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 5:15 p.m. at the Marion Area Chamber’s Business After Hours Event, to be held at and sponsored by the Marion Public Library (445 East Church Street).
“Each year we host a public kick-off to rally the community to create positive impact through support to United Way,” said United Way of Marion County Executive Director Pam Stone. “We will showcase some of the impact of our local volunteers and Partner Agency’s programs, as well as the Let’s Read 20 initiative. United Way is proud to be a part of this community collaborative that both encourages everyone to read with a child at least 20 minutes a day and works to put books into the hands of kids that might not have any otherwise. We hope that people will leave the kick-off excited and ready to support the local community through the United Way campaign,” added Stone.
Last year the annual giving campaign raised almost $1 million that was reinvested in Marion County, and the goal this year will remain steady at $1 million.
This year the United Way of Marion County campaign encourages community members to “Be the ONE” in our community through giving, advocating and volunteering. Kelly Garrett, Assistant Director, noted “It takes just one person to change one life.”
On Friday, September 19, United Way will be working with local businesses and schools to continue kicking-off their giving season during the Unity in Community’s day of service in the LIVE UNITED movement. Through this day of local service, workplace employees who are given time off work to volunteer will blitz the Marion community elementary schools to spend 20 minutes reading with students in Kindergarten through third grade.
For more information on the United Way kick-off event, the Unity in Community day of service or to find out how you can contribute to the United Way campaign, please contact United Way of Marion County at (740) 383-3108 or visit www.unitedwaymarion.org.
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