This past week the United Way of West Central Mississippi held it’s annual banquet to recognize the hard work and dedication of it’s volunteers.
The chapter’s annual get-together concluded the 2013 campaign that raises money for local nonprofits.
Though the organization fell short of their $1.5 million fundraising goal this year, outgoing executive director Barbara Tolliver said the campaign was still successful.
Totals were just shy of $1.2 million, said Kristen Meehan, the director of marketing and community relations. The 2013 goal was $1.5 million.
“If you look at other areas the size of Vicksburg and in the region, we perform very well,” she said.
Our community consistently raises more money than communities that are much larger. We are always in the top 90 percentile.
Like other cities and counties nationwide we face problems that will not be solved by turning a blind eye.
Rich Feibelman, who along with his wife, Katie, chaired United Way’s 2013 campaign, “Let’s Take it to the Next Level,” challenged audience members to become more involved for the 2014 campaign.
“Are you going to give, advocate or volunteer,” he asked. “How about doing more than you did last year?”
That’s the question of the hour as the 2014 campaign is just around the corner.
The United Way locally supports the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Delta, Andrew Jackson Council, Boy Scouts, Cary Christian Center, Central Mississippi Prevention Services, Christian Volunteer Service, Community Council, Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi, Good Shepherd Community Center, Grace Christian Counseling Center, Haven House Family Shelter, HIV Services, Inc., Magnolia Speech School, MIDD-West, Mountain of Faith Ministries, The Salvation Army, Vicksburg Child and Parent Center, Vicksburg Family Development, Warren County Children’s Shelter, Warren County Habitat for Humanity, Warren-Yazoo Mental Health, We Care Community Services and Vicksburg YMCA.
To paraphrase a great American, ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do your community.