United Way kicks off campaign
with events at Depot Park

SANFORD — One of the more important United Way campaigns in recent memory kicks off next week with a celebration at the Depot Building downtown — immediately before the "Function at the Junction" summer concert season concludes on the big stage outside.

Adopting a "Back to Basics" theme, the annual campaign begins Aug. 27 at a Business After Hours gathering coordinated by the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce. The two-hour social starting at 5 p.m. also marks the beginning of "Giving Change That Makes Cents," a joint effort by the United Way and Downtown Sanford Inc. to curb panhandling downtown and provide homeless people real help.

Immediately after the campaign kickoff, the local band RN5P takes the stage in Depot Park for this season's "Function at the Junction" finale. RN5P, spearheaded by band member David Spivey, is well known for its renditions of beach music and classic rock.

This year's campaign focuses on providing "basic" services like food, shelter and medical care, according to United Way executive director Jan Hayes, because there's been such a significant increase in demand for these essential services.

"Obviously, many families have been hurt by the economy," Hayes says. "Not everyone, by any means, but you can read about all of the lost jobs, and you can imagine how devastating it can be when you're struggling to get by and then lose a good share of your family income."

Hayes points to figures from an emergency food pantry operated locally by the Christians United Outreach Center. In May, the nonprofit provided more than 37,000 pounds of food for 881 households. That's almost 10,000 pounds of food and 136 households more than one year earlier. And, she says, the same kind of thing's happening at other ministries and social service agencies throughout the area.

That's also why the United Way and Downtown Sanford joined forces to create the panhandling initiative, which allows anyone to contribute money to help the homeless through parking-style "giving meters" downtown and provide referral cards, instead of cash, to anyone asking for money.

David Montgomery, executive director of Downtown Sanford and also this year's United Way campaign chairman, is enthusiastic about how the effort could make the city more welcoming and helpful for everyone. Still, the most important way people can help in the long run, he believes, is by conducting a United Way campaign in the workplace and making an individual contribution.

"Volunteers from all over our community review all of the organizations requesting United Way support and decide where our contributions will make the greatest impact," Montgomery explains. "So, you can be sure these are excellent organizations doing effective work."

To make individual contributions even more attractive, the ever-popular "Automobile Give-Away" returns this year. Anyone contributing the equivalent of one hour's pay per month — or making an annual donation of $500 or more — may enter a drawing to win a new car. About 70 finalists in last year's event received a prize donated by area businesses, with Ed Angel driving off with the grand prize.

Michele Bullard, the United Way's program services director, has a lot of experience with corporate campaigns and says it's not difficult to run one. "We're available to help every step of the way," she says, "It can be a festive and unifying event in the company, and it's clearly something that leaves a positive, lasting impact on employees, as well as the people they help."

What Hayes calls "one of our most important campaigns ever" has already become a group effort, even before it begins officially at Depot Park. Capital Bank is sponsoring the kickoff social at a Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce event that highlights a joint project by the United Way and Downtown Sanford.

Bella Bistro and Temple Theatre are providing the door prize, a gift certificate for dinner and four theater tickets. RSVPs are required to attend the social, though anyone can "drop in" to the concert.

If everyone continues pulling together as they have already, Hayes predicts, this could be a wonderful campaign. And a much better year for many local families.

The United Way of Lee County has raised and distributed millions of dollars to help nurture children, enhance self-sufficiency and strengthen families. Contributions raised throughout the year, including the fall campaign, are distributed to more than two dozen partner agencies dedicated to improving life for everyone in Lee County.

Media Contacts

Jan Hayes, Executive Director
United Way of Lee County
919.776.5823
janhayes@leecountyunitedway.org

David Montgomery, Executive Director
Downtown Sanford Inc.
919.775.8332
downtown@sanfordnc.net