The Rowan County United Way will have its annual kick-off event, signaling the start of the 2013-14 campaign, on Sept. 6.
The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Rowan Agricultural Center, 2727-A Old Concord Road, for United Way agencies and guests.
In the past, the United Way held the event during a Downtown Friday Night event, but decided against it since this year’s Friday Night Out events are held the third Friday of the month. The campaign cabinet and volunteers wanted to begin the campaign as soon as they could, said Campaign and Marketing Director Jackie Harris.
This year’s theme is “Raise Here. Stays Here,” a nod to local efforts to keep money raised through the campaign in the local community to benefit local people. A campaign goal has not been set yet, but the campaign cabinet has been in discussions.
Last year, the community raised $1.8 million following a surprise anonymous donation, sending the campaign over its initial $1.78 million goal.
Campaign Chair Dr. Jim Duncan promised the kick-off luncheon would be “fun packed.”
During the luncheon, Catawba College President Dr. Brien Lewis and Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy Jenkins will preview the Mayor’s Cup, a friendly rivalry football game between the two colleges. The game will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 at Livingstone College. The colleges will both host a texting drive to request donations for the campaign.
The campaign cabinet and United Way staff have already been in talks with various businesses, organizations and schools to make sure more people are aware of how funding helps local agencies.
“At this stage, it has been an effort to make us all aware of United Way and give us all an opportunity to help reduce the many needs of our neighbors,” said Greg Dunn, vice chairman of the campaign.
The campaign will again have regular report meetings every other week at various locations with the first report meeting set for Sept. 25 at Ben Mynatt Nissan on South Jake Alexander Boulevard.
The Day of Caring event is set for Thursday, Sept. 12 with all of the volunteers gathering at the Hurley Family YMCA on West Jake Alexander Boulevard.
The BB&T Sunset Run will be held during the Downtown Friday Night Out on Sept. 20 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Last year, the volunteers organized the first Pumpkin Dash, which will return again this year on Nov. 9 at Patterson Farm. The event will begin at 9 a.m.
Four car dealerships will again participate, and three names will be drawn at each report meeting. At the close of the campaign, a total of 12 people will be eligible to win a car from Ben Mynatt Nissan, Gerry Wood Auto Center, Team Chevrolet and Cloninger Ford, Toyota, Scion.
For more information about the Rowan County United Way, visit www.rowanunitedway.org .
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253. Twitter: www.twitter.com/salpostpotts Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shavonne.SalisburyPost.