You should have been there last week, when The Mayberry Deputy visited to open this year's United Way campaign. Anyone remotely familiar with The Andy Griffith Show would immediately have recognized Barney Fife, the character David Browning was portraying. For a while, it seemed like the nervous lawman was actually roaming the streets of Sanford.

He bounced from guest to guest, issuing citations for “documented cases of malfeasance” and offered his “expertise” on just about any subject.

Some guests played along, like when The Mayberry Deputy recognized Goober in the audience and pulled him up front. United Way campaign chairman Mikeal Basinger obliged and gave a show-stopping rendition of Goober Pyle imitating actor Cary Grant. When Mikeal let loose with his “Judy. Judy. Judy.,” everyone went wild.

Others were simply laughing too hard most of the morning to say much at all, as The Mayberry Deputy — complete with goofy expressions — wandered from table to table, showing off his single shiny bullet.

It was a marvelous way to honor more than a dozen companies that have stepped forward to set the pace for this year’s fundraising campaign. But now it’s time to take care of the serious business — caring for our neighbors. And, by making our community even greater than it is already, caring for ourselves, too.

Except for money specifically designated by the donor for another purpose, every dollar raised during the annual campaign remains in Lee County to strengthen our community. More than two dozen local ministries and social service groups rely on United Way donations to care for our neighbors with emergency food or medical care, help overcoming disabilities, security from domestic abuse and the list goes on.

One of the rewarding things about working with the United Way is hearing stories about how those contributions have made all the difference in someone’s life.

Not long ago, we heard from a woman with limited income and no health insurance, who survived cancer thanks to volunteers at a clinic supported by United Way donations. A single mother found some security for her family and achieved her dream of owning a home. And a young college graduate — who might have thrown her life away, except for the one-on-one guidance she received by a United Way organization — was shaping the next generation as a kindergarten teacher.

Some stories are more dramatic than others, but few days pass when we don’t hear firsthand about how United Way contributions really do matter.

It’s tempting in an uncertain economy to let the offering plate pass by and assume others will take care of the donations. But remember this: It’s precisely in these difficult times when our neighbors need help the most. If everyone makes some donation, large or small, we can do great things.

Our community has always been a tight-knit place. Folks have arguments from time to time, but they always step forward to help neighbors in need. That’s one of the great things about Lee County and — in one way, at least — it makes us like the utopian town of Mayberry.

Once a year, we get a chance to step forward, so please plan your donation to this year’s campaign. And the next time your neighbors face some overwhelming problem, you can help them nip it in the bud.