Fundraising goals of the West Central Mississippi United Way might have taken a slight hit from the recession, but entertainment levels were higher than ever as the local community service agency kicked off its 2009 campaign Friday at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center.

Singers from Warren Central Junior High School gave a crowd-pleasing rendition of “My Girl,” complete with Temptation-walk and other dance steps, and a parade of representatives from the 20 local United Way service agencies, each carrying a decorated umbrella, followed with spirited spiels about how they help people live united.

The crowd of 200 whooped and cheered both the song and the presentations.

United Way, an umbrella organization to the 20 agencies, chose “Live United” as the theme for this year’s fundraising campaign. “That’s because everything we do is based on living united,” local director Barbara Tolliver said.

Donations to United Way benefit people in Warren and four other counties, plus Madison Parish across the river, said Robyn Lea, 2009 campaign chairman. “Our agencies include shelters, counseling centers, the Salvation Army, Red Cross — agencies running almost literally from A to Z,” she said. “This is such a great opportunity for us to reach out and help people in the community.”

Locally, United Way hopes to raise $1.4 million between now and Oct. 31, down from the $1.5 million target last year. The total raised last year was $1.452 million, Tolliver said. With many in the area having lost jobs in the last 12 months, she said the fundraising board is “being realistic.”

After a jump-start Pacesetter campaign in July and August, United Way has already reached 27 percent of its goal, with donations of $372,037.38, Lea told the crowd. The Pacesetters are 10 businesses and the Vicksburg Warren School District, new to the group this year, that worked on getting a head start.

“The campaign has gone well,” said commercial donations division chairman Dexter Johnson, vice president of Regions Bank. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback. People are still generous even in these recessionary times. We really appreciate the effort of business donors in this town stepping up to the plate to help the United Way.”

Tolliver urged people to sign up at work for payroll deductions. “It’s easy to do, and you don’t miss it because it comes out of your check before you ever see it.”

Preschoolers from Crawford Street Day School also charmed the crowd of 200 with their performance of “We Are United,” and trumpeters from Vicksburg High School, playing “When the Saints Go Marching In,” led a parade out of the auditorium and down Crawford Street.

“We have the opportunity to reach out and touch thousands of people in our community,” Lea said. “Give generously, and give what you can.”

The local United Way was founded in 1953.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com