The United Way of York County put its hand out Wednesday, asking for money, time and energy.
The United Way also put its hands together to celebrate the success of its programs and those of its partners, holding a combined picnic and kickoff for its annual fundraising campaign.
Among the celebrators were:
• Terran Scott, a 12-year-old from the Boys & Girls Club of York County, who elegantly and near flawlessly served as the event’s emcee – right down to the very end when he grabbed the microphone to give thanks to everyone at the event.
• The Community TEAMS, a program designed to teach, enrich and mentor rising sixth-grade students. The group sang “Life,” an original song composed especially for them by Bruce McKagen.
• Children from the Upper Palmetto YMCA programs who gave thanks for everything the United Way has helped them experience.
The performances embraced the United Way’s 70th anniversary slogan, “Caring Neighbors, Changing Lives.”
“This is about resources,” said Debbie Hayworth, the president of the local United Way. “It takes time, energy, mentoring and money.”
Last year, the United Way raised $1.4 million to fund its programs and those of 31 other nonprofit agencies. The United Way estimates its programs and those of its partners served 50,000 people last year.
Many of the United Way’s partners attended Wednesday’s kickoff at the Lake Pavilion of Manchester Meadows. The event was a chance for the nonprofit agencies to explain their mission and goals.
This year, the United Way does not have a specific goal, only to increase what it did last year.
The campaign officially started Wednesday and continues through spring of 2013. Some companies such as Duke Energy, Target, USP, Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo have either completed or have their local United Way campaigns underway.
Wednesday’s event was not only the kickoff for the United Way’s 2012-13 overall campaign, but was also the kickoff for the city of Rock Hill’s individual campaign.
Don Worthington • 803-329-4066
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