By Rob Novit
The United Way of Aiken County announced a goal of $2.43 million at a luncheon Friday, kicking off the 2012 fundraising campaign in support of more than 30 partner service agencies - among them the Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County.
That organization provides interviews and other support services for children who have been victims of sexual and physical abuse. The center is fortunate to be a part of the United Way family, said executive director Gayle Lofgren.
"We struggle for funding every year and couldn't do it without them," she said. "We saw 302 children last year, with 70 percent having been sexually abused and the other 30 percent physically abused. With only one in 10 children reporting abuse, there could be many, many more than that."
The work of the United Way staff and volunteers and those who contribute is serious business, but the kickoff created a lighthearted mood with its "United Way and the Chocolate Factory" theme. Each table at Newberry Hall featured an edible centerpiece, and a display was filled with chocolate in many forms and other goodies.
Businessman Andrew Siders appeared as Willy Wonka for two musical selections, joined by Mead Hall
second-graders.
Current and former loaned professionals and other volunteers dressed as Oompa-Loompas - complete with green hair and orange skin - and presented the 2012 goal during the luncheon.
"We know that you share in this excitement," said United Way Board Chairman Jeff Wallace. "We are all aware that there are many members of this community who struggle to make it through each day. They have desperate needs that they cannot meet. This is where United Way and its partner agencies step in to help … Together, we are 'stepping up and reaching out' to improve lives in our community."
With the current economic climate still struggling, the demand for services at the partner agencies and other providers is increasing, said campaign chairman Richard Harmon.
"Funding requests are at an all-time high as our partners strive to provide assistance to our neighbors in need," he said. "Our goal is to meet the needs of our partner organizations and the individuals that they help."
Others on the campaign cabinet this year are Wesley Hightower, Gary Stookesbury, John Mickalonis, Mike Uhle, Pat Perry, Christy Tyner, Andrew Siders, Todd Glover, Chris Caesar, Debra Folk, David Turno, John Felak, Tammy Rimes and Charles Lampley.
Rimes is coordinating the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions campaign, which has a goal of $1.1 million that will be divided between the United Way agencies in Aiken, Augusta and Barnwell.
"I've worked with United Way for 18 years, and I'm real excited about the campaign this year," Rimes said. "I've just seen the needs in the local community, and what a wonderful job the United Way does through its agencies. Our companies' interest in United Way is very strong, and I'm sure we'll go over our goal this year."
Volunteer P.K. Hightower announced all the special events that will be part of the campaign this year. The first is the City of Aiken's Labor Day Cook-Off on Newberry Street on Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Other upcoming events include the Outback Steakhouse "Raising the Steaks" fundraiser on Sept. 14, Tropical Nights Bachelor and Bachelorette auction at the Aiken Municipal Center on Sept. 21, Bocce and Cornhole Tournament during the Aiken Mini Bluegrass Festival at Whitney Polo Field on Sept. 29 and the first Aiken Electric Cooperative Run United at Citizens Park on Oct. 7.
Other activities are the Family Fun Day/Agency Day at H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, the City of North Augusta Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee BBQ cook-off on Georgia Avenue on Oct. 27 and WSI/SRS Team River Run at North Augusta Riverview Park Activities Center on Nov. 5.
Mead Hall students joining Siders for the musical entertainment were Aiden Onderdonk-Snow, Ansley Kitchings, Bella Reesor, Brennan Reinhard, Holly Heiens, Jacob Patsourakos, Madeline Matthews, Mattie McLain, Sullivan Boni, Summer Kneece and Virginia Gwinn.![]()
The United Way of Aiken County announced a goal of $2.43 million at a luncheon Friday, kicking off the 2012 fundraising campaign in support of more than 30 partner service agencies - among them the Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County.
That organization provides interviews and other support services for children who have been victims of sexual and physical abuse. The center is fortunate to be a part of the United Way family, said executive director Gayle Lofgren.
"We struggle for funding every year and couldn't do it without them," she said. "We saw 302 children last year, with 70 percent having been sexually abused and the other 30 percent physically abused. With only one in 10 children reporting abuse, there could be many, many more than that."
The work of the United Way staff and volunteers and those who contribute is serious business, but the kickoff created a lighthearted mood with its "United Way and the Chocolate Factory" theme. Each table at Newberry Hall featured an edible centerpiece, and a display was filled with chocolate in many forms and other goodies.
Businessman Andrew Siders appeared as Willy Wonka for two musical selections, joined by Mead Hall
second-graders.
Current and former loaned professionals and other volunteers dressed as Oompa-Loompas - complete with green hair and orange skin - and presented the 2012 goal during the luncheon.
"We know that you share in this excitement," said United Way Board Chairman Jeff Wallace. "We are all aware that there are many members of this community who struggle to make it through each day. They have desperate needs that they cannot meet. This is where United Way and its partner agencies step in to help … Together, we are 'stepping up and reaching out' to improve lives in our community."
With the current economic climate still struggling, the demand for services at the partner agencies and other providers is increasing, said campaign chairman Richard Harmon.
"Funding requests are at an all-time high as our partners strive to provide assistance to our neighbors in need," he said. "Our goal is to meet the needs of our partner organizations and the individuals that they help."
Others on the campaign cabinet this year are Wesley Hightower, Gary Stookesbury, John Mickalonis, Mike Uhle, Pat Perry, Christy Tyner, Andrew Siders, Todd Glover, Chris Caesar, Debra Folk, David Turno, John Felak, Tammy Rimes and Charles Lampley.
Rimes is coordinating the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions campaign, which has a goal of $1.1 million that will be divided between the United Way agencies in Aiken, Augusta and Barnwell.
"I've worked with United Way for 18 years, and I'm real excited about the campaign this year," Rimes said. "I've just seen the needs in the local community, and what a wonderful job the United Way does through its agencies. Our companies' interest in United Way is very strong, and I'm sure we'll go over our goal this year."
Volunteer P.K. Hightower announced all the special events that will be part of the campaign this year. The first is the City of Aiken's Labor Day Cook-Off on Newberry Street on Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Other upcoming events include the Outback Steakhouse "Raising the Steaks" fundraiser on Sept. 14, Tropical Nights Bachelor and Bachelorette auction at the Aiken Municipal Center on Sept. 21, Bocce and Cornhole Tournament during the Aiken Mini Bluegrass Festival at Whitney Polo Field on Sept. 29 and the first Aiken Electric Cooperative Run United at Citizens Park on Oct. 7.
Other activities are the Family Fun Day/Agency Day at H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, the City of North Augusta Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee BBQ cook-off on Georgia Avenue on Oct. 27 and WSI/SRS Team River Run at North Augusta Riverview Park Activities Center on Nov. 5.
Mead Hall students joining Siders for the musical entertainment were Aiden Onderdonk-Snow, Ansley Kitchings, Bella Reesor, Brennan Reinhard, Holly Heiens, Jacob Patsourakos, Madeline Matthews, Mattie McLain, Sullivan Boni, Summer Kneece and Virginia Gwinn.