Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

United Way Campaign Underway

There are 14 agencies in Clark County which receive financial assistance from the United Way of Clark County.

This is what members of the Gurdon Rotary Club were told during their regular meeting Thursday. They were also informed the theme for this year's campaign is "Paint a Brighter Tomorrow."

Rebecca Lawson, executive director of the CCUW, said more than 600 Gurdon residents are served by United Way agencies, as the UW begins its annual fund raising effort. "It's important to support these agencies," she said. "Our goal this year is $185,000. Our division leaders are in place and we're looking for a successful year."

Lawson said the Cabe Foundation already has made a pledge to the UW as have the Gurdon teachers. International Paper, she said, runs its UW campaign through Thanksgiving.

Campaign chairman Jimmy Franklin said the pacesetter campaign began two weeks ago and has eight divisions involved of the nine in the UW. "We're getting pledges from businesses and industry, along with educators and individuals," he said.

Franklin told the Rotarians the Clark County United Way already has reached 20 percent of its goal at this time. "Gurdon helped with our pacesetter campaign," he told them. "We're just getting the campaign underway and I believe we'll have a good year."

Dolphus Whitten followed, saying he became involved in the United Way as a city councilman in Oklahoma City. He said the council decided which agencies would and would not be funded and what agencies belonged in the United Way.

When he moved to Arkadelphia, he noticed there was no UW and was asked to participate in 15 separate fund raising campaigns. "They all did separate fundraising," he said. "I told them that wasn't the way to do it and we formed the United Way. This way there is one campaign per year with the UW serving all 14 organizations in Clark County.

"All the people in the county are affected," he continued. "I urge you all to be generous and pass the word, letting people know the UW campaign is underway."

According to the UW literature, 92 cents of every dollar raised by the CCUW will remain in Clark County. Seven cents goes to pay administrative costs, with one cent going to the national United Way.

The member agencies in Clark County include the American Caner Society; Abused Women and Children, Inc.; Clark County American Red Cross; Arkadelphia Little League, Inc.; the Arkansas Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation; the Central Arkansas Development Council; the Boys and Girls Club of Clark County; Clark County Youth Development Corporation; Clark County 4-H; Conifer Girl Scout Council; Group Living, Inc.; Happyland Day Care Center; Ouachita Area Council (Boy Scouts); and Volunteer Council.