Lenoir/Greene United Way kicks off fundraising campaign

Leaders of the Lenoir/Greene United Way chapter kicked off their annual fundraising campaign Thursday.

Organizers plan to raise $500,000 by the time the 2008-2009 fundraising year ends June 30, 2009. The fundraising year officially begins July 1, but local chapter leaders also like to hold a kickoff event later in the summer, Board President Kevin Zoltek said.

June Cummings, the chapter's executive director, opened the campaign Thursday during the evening's Sand in the Streets concert. She said local officials were following the United Way's national theme, "live united."

"We live in this community and we're part of making it a better place," Cummings said.

Cummings also announced that Sale Auto Mall of Kinston will hold its second annual drawing for a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contest is open to anyone who has obtained at least $100 in pledges. Drawings will be held at the Auto Mall each week beginning Aug. 29 for 14 weeks. The 14 winners of those drawings will compete to win the car on Dec. 5.

Zoltek said the money raised will go to 18 organizations in Lenoir and Greene that assist the developmentally disabled, children and the elderly.

"United Way wants to make an attempt to bring the community together better," he said.

The chapter will use multiple methods to raise money, including campaigns run by individual employers, residential campaigns, small business campaigns and others.

"The stronger we are, the more we're able to help each other," Cummings said.

David Anderson can be reached at (252) 559-1077 or danderson@freedomenc.com.

For more information on fundraising for the Lenoir/Greene United Way, call (252) 527-0734, e-mail lenoircouw@eastlink.net or visit the chapter's office, located on the second floor of the Vernon Park Mall.