The United Way of Lincoln County hosted a kick-off breakfast topique local interest in fundraising efforts for the 2006-2007year.

Lincoln County has set a goal of $197,000 to be raised duringthis year’s campaign. The local organization already has over 100volunteers and is still looking for more support throughout thecounty.

Chris Thurman, campaign chairman, spoke of the Hurricane Katrinaissue of last year in hopes of building audience participation anddonations.

“We are reminded of the challenges we all faced from last year.There are many cries for funding. It created a certain challengefor the 04-05 campaign to raise the funding necessary to help thelocal agencies we support,” said Thurman.

After reflecting on the hurricane anniversary by having theaudience watch a video, Thurman mentioned the campaign wasimportant because so many people are in need financially,emotionally and physically.

A spokesman of the American Red Cross assured that response willbe much quicker next time. American Red Cross is one of many localagencies supported by the United Way of Lincoln County.

“We knew we were not ready last year, but we had never seen astorm like Katrina before. We are ready now,” said Kim Carr, theagency’s disaster chairwoman.

American Red Cross is now training churches in the area. Thelocal chapter also created disaster action teams in each county itserves. A pre-delivery of emergency goods will now be availablebefore a hurricane hits, and many items are already in stock.

The United Way of Lincoln County also supports Boy Scouts, CityRecreation Department, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, SouthwestMississippi Mental Health, Girl Scouts, Boswell Group Home, Boysand Girls Club, Lincoln County, Outreach Ministries, EmergencyFood, Lincoln County United Way Emergency Relief Agency, Widows andOrphans Center, Guardian Shelter for Battered Families and Shelterfor Sexual Assault, ROTAP (Reaching out to Troubled Teens),Brookhaven Beautiful, Sunshine Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, PeeWee Football, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Brookhaven Animal RescueLeague.

The United Way began in 1887 and is still one of the nation’sleading fundraising charities. It is a system of nationalvolunteers and contributors who assist people in their owncommunities.

Nationally, 13 million people contribute annually.