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Highlands Today

United Way Kicks Off 2008 Campaign

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: September 17, 2008

SEBRING - The United Way of Central Florida, Highlands County Division, kicked off its 2008 campaign Monday and recognized its "pacesetters," those who have already run their campaigns.
Campaign Chairman Jeff Roth said the agencies that run summertime campaigns typically account for about 20 percent of the donations to the United Way annual campaign.

The pacesetters increased their giving by about 22 percent, Roth said, raising $41,856,

At the kickoff event at the Highlands County Sports Complex, Roth said "there is something life-giving about donating to a cause greater than ourselves. The feeling you can only get when you 'Live United.'"

The 2008 fundraising campaign ends before Christmas. The allocations committee will start meeting in January to choose the agencies that will receive funds from United Way.

The pledges people made will start going out to the designated agencies in 2009.

This year's theme is "Grow in Giving."

"When we talk about Grow in Giving, we are not only talking about ... monetarily, but grow in giving of your time, talent and treasure," Roth said.

A monetary goal has not been designated the last couple of years, he said. But, internally the goal is $500,000.

"The economic turn really hit us hard last year," Roth said. "We were well short of our goal, but we're encouraged ... with the pacesetters kicking us off with a 22 percent increase over last year."

United Way in Highlands County is trying to reach out to new companies and new agencies that have not had an opportunity to consider in investing in the community, Roth said. "What will drive our success this year is not the same people giving more, but an opportunity for new people who haven't had an opportunity to give at all.

For more information about United Way in Highlands County, call 453-3401.

Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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