United Way fund-raising campaign draws to a close
By Staff
STILL TIME TO CONTRIBUTE – Louis Sutton, left, chief professional officer of United Way of East Mississippi; Betty Lou Jones, United Way campaign chairperson; and James Harrison, spokesperson for United Way, talk to reporters Monday about the final days of this year's fund-raising campaign. Photo Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Dec. 31, 2002
Officials with United Way of East Mississippi urged area residents on Monday to contribute to its fund-raising campaign before time runs out.
The campaign, aiming for a goal of $800,000, will officially end Jan. 30. The organization already has raised $609,656, or 75 percent, of its goal.
Betty Lou Jones, campaign chairperson, said Monday that businesses have time to schedule meetings between its employees and United Way officials who can arrange payroll donations.
She also urged individuals to send their contributions in before Jan. 1.
The local United Way asks contributors to donate at least an hour's wage per month.
Louis Sutton, chief professional officer of the local United Way, said the organization's allocation committee will hold a meeting in January to tentatively determine how money will be split among the agencies United Way benefits.
Last year's local United Way fund-raising campaign raised $746,000. The $800,000 goal is the amount needed to meet the minimum needs of the 16 agencies and programs United Way assists.