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Rick Willis, campaign chair for the United Way, said it was a good year for the organization in terms of hitting the $2.3 million goal. While some businesses moved, closed or had cutbacks, he said, other business started campaigns or increased donations. (Thomas Wells)
It’s the most amount of money the agency has ever raised.
“It’s not about meeting this goal as much as it is about having the money to help these 69 agencies and the people they serve,” said Campaign Chairman Rick Willis at the announcement event Friday inside the CREATE building downtown.
As of Friday, the organization has raised $2,411,345.97, beating its $2.3 million goal. The money now will be allocated to the 69 nonprofit agencies the United Way supports in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Union and Tishomingo counties. Some of the largest allocations go to Salvation Army, Regional Rehab, Boys & Girls Clubs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Good Samaritan Free Clinic, Meals on Wheels and various food pantries.
“The largest amount of the money goes to help children,” said Melinda Tidwell, executive director of United Way.
Added Willis, “As needs increase everywhere, we’re more aware how critical the campaign is. ... Even though we met our goal, there are still a lot of requests that are not met fully.”
A committee of residents from each county decides how the money is allocated in each county. Tidwell and Willis said the United Way continues to accept donations to help the nonprofits. For more information, call (662) 841-9133.
carlie.wells@journalinc.com