To see a video of the food bank, LAMP and the Salvation Army, click here.



VALDOSTA — The Greater Valdosta United Way is gearing up to kick off its 2009-10 fund-raising campaign on Friday.

The theme for this year’s campaign is 55 Years of Bringing Hope to Life. It is chaired by Leigh Worn.

Worn has been involved with the United Way for about 10 years. When she first started, she was an employee with Georgia Power.

“I began my work with the United Way as loan executive,” Worn said. “As a loan executive, I made presentations at various companies to promote payroll donations for the United Way. Now I'm working with the United Way as a representative of South Georgia Pecan Company. Community support has always been a priority to me, my husband, Jim, and his partner, Ed Crane.”

Worn served as the United Way annual campaign chairperson five years ago and said that she felt extremely honored to be asked to serve again.

With everything in place and volunteers trained, Worn said that she is optimistic about the kickoff of this year’s campaign.

“What makes this year so important are the effects of the economy,” she said. “There is an increase in the numbers of people who need assistance in several different areas. Our goal for this year is $1.1 million and I feel that it is very reachable. With our great team of volunteers, we can get out there, tell our story and raise some money to benefit the agencies we serve.”

Pacesetters have helped the United Way jumpstart its fund-raising campaign by donating and making pledges throughout the month of August. Pacesetters include Atlantic Southern Bank; Bank of Valdosta; Bemiss Citizens Bank; Citizens Community Bank; Colony Bank; Farmers & Merchants Bank; First Federal Bank; First State Bank & Trust Co.; Fowler, Holley, Rambo & Stalvey; Georgia Power Company; Valdosta Federal Credit Union; Guardian Bank; Henderson and Godbee LLC; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Park Avenue Bank; PCA; Regions Bank; South Georgia Pecan; Southeastern

Federal Credit Union; The Valdosta Daily Times; Valdosta Insurance Services Inc.; Valdosta North Rotary Club; Wal-Mart; Brookfield Academy; and Commercial Banking Company.

As a result of greater than anticipated collections from previous campaigns and the release of some emergency contingency funds through the United Way board, the United Way was able to award $100,000 in checks to 11 organizations it serves on Aug. 11. These agencies included Habitat for Humanity, Easter Seals, the Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Advocacy Center, Southside Recreation Center, Senior Volunteer Connection, Boy Scouts, YMCA, American Red Cross, Moody Youth Programs and The Salvation Army.

“We are glad that we were able to provide this wonderful opportunity to some of our vital agencies,” said United Way Chairman Mark Buescher. “Earlier this year, these particular agencies received an allocation that was lower than prior years as a result of the difficult economic times we are currently facing. Through the United Way, these organizations serve vital needs in the community and the funds awarded will provide a much-needed boost in their ability to serve these needs.”

Buescher said that the funds will probably go into each agency’s general budgets to help with their regular programs.

CAC Executive Director Brenda Hodges-Johnson stated that the $5,837.75 awarded to the CAC will help with repairs to the CAC facility and three programs the CAC provides for child victims.

“The CAC will use approximately $2,000 of these funds for much-needed wiring repairs in the center,” Johnson said. “The CAC has undergone several cuts in funding over the past 12 months and expects to see more cuts in the near future. The CAC will use the additional United Way funding to offset its current budget deficit and continue providing services to all child victims of abuse and to the community through all three programs, which include forensic interviews, mental health therapy and prevention and education.”

Johnson added, “We are fortunate as a nonprofit and as a community to be in a place where our United Way has such a strong presence and means so much to so many. If everyone in our community would make it a priority to give to the United Way, as so many of us do each year, our community would be such a better place to live, work and play.”

The Southside Recreation Center will use the $8,000 it received to buy supplies, pay salaries for support staff and use for general operating costs.

“Donations have been down and other funding has been reduced,” said Southside Recreation Center Director Rachel Bradley. “This money could not have come at a more needed time. We thank Valdosta and we thank the United Way.”

This year’s United Way Campaign will officially begin with the Day of Caring on Friday.

“Since 1954, the United Way has been reaching out to individuals in our community with one purpose,” wrote Greater Valdosta United Way Executive Director Bobby Yarbrough in a letter to various supporters. “That purpose was and still is to change the lives of individuals. Many of you have been a part of the United Way campaign for 20 plus years. Many of you are just beginning your involvement with the United Way. Whether you have been around for one or 20 years, your desire to help others will always be greatly appreciated. Help us again this year to reach out to individuals in the community to show them we care. Help us this year to make an investment in our community.”

Contributions to the Greater Valdosta United Way 2009-10 campaign can be made through payroll deduction, one-time pledges with checks or money orders by mail or requests to be billed during the year.

The Greater Valdosta United Way serves Berrien, Brooks, Echols, Lanier and Lowndes counties.

To learn more about the Greater Valdosta United Way or to make a donation, please call (229) 242-2208 or visit unitedwayvaldosta.org.



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Upcoming Events

• Friday — Day of Caring. Kickoff celebration at America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia.

• Sept. 20 — Film & Food For a Cause. Valdosta Stadium Cinemas and Ashley Cinemas donate 100 percent of proceeds from tickets and concessions.

• Oct. 30 — Halfway celebration breakfast at Gold Plate Restaurant.

• Nov. 27 — Charity Roof Sit at Valdosta Mall.



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The Facts



149,609: Number of people living in service area.

20: Number of participating agencies.

355: Number of workplaces involved in campaign.

13,555: Number of contributors.

59,273: Number of people served by United Way agencies

$990,458.72: Total amount raised during 2008-09 campaign.



Source: Greater Valdosta United Way



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The Agencies



• Jacobs’ Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center Inc.

• Moody Air Force Base Family Support Center

• The Salvation Army

• YMCA

• Moody Air Force Base Youth Programs

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Valdosta Inc.

• American Red Cross, Valdosta Chapter

• Girls Scouts

• Boy Scouts of America

• Big Brothers Big Sisters

• Golija

• Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity

• Southside Recreation Center

• America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia

• The Haven

• LAMP

• Alzheimer’s Caregiver Time-Out of Valdosta Inc.

• Easter Seals

• Children’s Advocacy Center of Lowndes County Inc.

• Senior Corps, RSVP