'Barney Fife' uses comedy and heart
to kick off United Way annual campaign

SANFORD — Mixing side-splitting comedy with poignant thoughts about our social condition, the Mayberry Deputy, aka David Browning, helped launch the United Way's annual campaign Aug. 26 at the annual Pacesetters breakfast.

Pacesetters are local companies that help "set the pace" by making significant contributions early in the annual fundraising campaign. The morning festivities honored those companies and included United Way officials and company representatives.

Though he's a versatile actor and comedian, Browning is best known for his impersonation of Barney Fife, the character made popular by actor Don Knotts on television's The Andy Griffith Show.

Even before guests began arriving, the Deputy was on duty, prowling the meeting room at Central Carolina Hospital to make sure any mischief was nipped in the bud. As guests mingled, he wandered around the room handing out summonses — autographed photographs — for any documented cases of malfeasance.

After breakfast, hosted by Central Carolina Hospital, a few formal presentations were on the agenda.

United Way chairman Bob Heuts, director of the Lee County Economic Development Corp., told guests that it's even more important to support the United Way during difficult economic times, when many neighbors are struggling.

Then, campaign chairman Mikeal Basinger of Capital Bank, laid out the goal for this year — $502,009. It's an odd-sounding figure, he admitted, but one that played off the fact that money was being raised to help local families in 2009.

It would be an easy amount to raise, he said, if a large number of people make even a small contribution. To encourage giving, those making either a "fair share" contribution, equivalent to one hour of pay per month for the year, or an annual donation of $500 may participate in Automobile Give-Away '09 and have a chance to win a new car.

Marilyn Bellamy, a longtime United Way donor, won the grand prize last year in the inaugural promotion offered in partnership with Wilkinson Cadillac Chevrolet Pontiac Buick GMC of Sanford.

After the business was dispatched, a nervous-looking Mayberry Deputy took center stage to close the program with homespun stories and scattered references to the fictional hometown of Andy Taylor, Opie and the gang.

At one point, he pulled Goober — that would be Basinger — up front again. The campaign chairman brought down the house with his rendition of "Judy. Judy. Judy." — Basinger's imitation of Goober Pyle's imitation of film actor Cary Grant, and one of the more famous lines from The Andy Griffith Show.

As the event concluded, Browning became more serious, talking about why the television show has remained so popular more than four decades after its final episode aired. It's the sense of community, Browining concluded. The fact that people looked out for each other.

Then, he pointed toward a United Way poster standing to his right and some text that read, "Reach out a hand to one and influence the condition of all." That, he concluded, is the true spirit of Mayberry.

Browning's performance was sponsored by Richard Feindel, president of WWGP Broadcasting, which operates radio stations WWGP-AM and WFJA Oldies 105.5 FM in Sanford.

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 member agencies dedicated to improving life for everyone in Lee County.