UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN FOCUSES LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL
Campaign Kickoff Thursday at Lincoln Country Club

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- This year's United Way of Lincoln County fundraising campaign hopes to hit a hole in one with contributors.

Thursday night, interim director Kathy Vinzant proclaimed this year's campaign was "Tee It Up and Drive It home to Lincoln County."

The goal for the campaign is to be local, local, local.

"We want people to focus on the needs here in Lincoln County," said Vinzant, adding the money that's given in Lincoln County stays in Lincoln County.

Thursday night's event marked the 48th annual United Way of Lincoln County campaign. And despite the recent salary controversy of another United Way's CEO in Charlotte, United Way officials in Lincoln want prospective contributors to know that the organization here is in no way affiliated with the Greater Charlotte United Way.

Board member Jim Mauney said that people who live in Lincoln County but participate in their corporation's United Way campaign can designate their donations to come to Lincoln.

United Way's backing of the Literacy Council of Lincoln County is very important to director Cristina Arlow. Arlow said without the United Way's support, the Literacy Council would be non-existent.

"From 1990 to 2005, all of the funding for the council came from the United Way," said Arlow. "Now, the funding covers about half of the Literacy Council's $42,000 budget."

Arlow said when she took over three years ago, services like a computer lab and one-on-one tutoring weren't available like they are today.

"Through the fundraising campaign, the United Way keeps us existing," said Arlow. "And the services of the Literacy Council are free."

Wayne Vinzant, chairman of the United Way board, said it's more than just a fundraising campaign for the nearly 50-year-old United Way of Lincoln County.

"The reason we're here is because the United Way is about bringing together people who have needs and the people who serve," said Vinzant.

Theresa Watson of the United Way said besides reaching a goal of $559,000 for this year's fundraising campaign, the donators understand again that all money given in Lincoln County stays in Lincoln County.

"Our challenge is to overcome some negative opinions about the United Way," said Watson.