Published: January 11, 2009 10:23 pm      

United Way closing in on 2008 campaign goal

The United Way of Southern West Virginia’s 2008 campaign is approaching its “last hurdle,” according to executive director Margaret Ann O’Neal.

“We just have a little bit to go,” O’Neal said of the effort to raise $325,000. “If anybody feels like they would like to make a contribution, now is a good time to step up.”

O’Neal is grateful to those who have supported the campaign.

“We want to thank the community and all of the businesses who have allowed us to come in and do workplace presentations,” she said. “We live in a wonderful community and people have really stepped up and made their annual contributions.”

With the 2008 campaign wrapping up, O’Neal said, an event will take place during the next few weeks when the United Way will introduce a new brand as well as the 2009 campaign chairman.

The United Way of Southern West Virginia supports the following 26 agencies within Fayette, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties:

The American Red Cross Central West Virginia Chapter; Beckley Health Right; Buckskin Council Boy Scouts of America; CCS Whitesville/ Pettus Food Pantry; Fayette County Second Grade Dental Program; Fayette County 4-H; Fayette County Emergency Food Assistance Center; Fayette-Nicholas Chapter American Red Cross; Fayette County Starting Points; Friends-R-Fund Child Development; Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council; High Rocks; Hospice of Southern West Virginia; Just For Kids Inc.; Legal Aid of WV; Loaves and Fishes (CCS); MUSTER Project Inc.; New River Health Association/Mount Hope School-Based Health Program; Nicholas County Starting Points; Pine Haven Homeless Services; Raleigh County Commission on Aging Inc.; Southern West Virginia Fellowship Home; Summers County Second Grade Dental Program; The Gabriel Project; Salvation Army; and the Women's Resource Center.

Anyone interested in donating can contact the United Way at 304-253-2111. Donations can also be made online at www.unitedwayswv.org.

— E-mail:

mjames@register-herald.com