By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The Rowan County United Way board of directors has set a goal of $1.6 million for its 2018 campaign.

The campaign theme, “Every Day, the United Way,” was chosen to signify the reach of the local United Way.

John Struzick, manufacturing finance manager for Innospec Performance Chemicals in Salisbury and High Point, is chairman of the campaign.

“2018 is a pivotal year in fundraising for Rowan County United Way,” Struzick said. “This has been a year of significant change for our local United Way, but one thing that has not changed is our commitment to the health and well-being of our Rowan County people. I am honored and humbled to serve our community in this capacity for the 2018 campaign.”

The fall fundraising campaign will involve volunteers across the county. The money raised will go to 17 local human services agencies.

“Every day, agencies of our Rowan County United Way are bettering the lives of people all across Rowan County,” Struzick said. “Every day, our Rowan County United Way is hard at work to make sure the funds and services needed are available. Every day, Rowan County United Way is local: Our funds are raised locally and invested locally for the benefit of our local citizens.

“Every day, we strive to maintain the highest level of service with the least amount of administrative cost,” Struzick continued. “Our agencies support health and human services all over the county with a primary focus on taking care of the basic needs of our community.”

The 2018 goal is an increase of $122,000 over last year’s goal and only a slight increase over the total raised in 2017.

Struzick said he is confident Rowan County United Way can meet or exceed the $1.6 million goal.

“I look forward to working with what I believe to be the best campaign cabinet assembled to date and the most generous and hard-working community of volunteers I have ever seen,” he said.

The 17 agencies that will receive United Way money include: Rowan County Literacy Council, The Arc/Rowan, Rowan Vocational Opportunities, Boy Scouts Central N.C. Council, Communities in Schools of Rowan County, Rowan County YMCA, Rowan County Youth Services Bureau, American Red Cross, Rowan County Rescue Squad, Salvation Army, Trinity Living Center, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Families First Inc., Family Crisis Council, Smart Start Rowan, Capstone Recovery Center and Jobs for Life.

For more information, visit www.rowanunitedway.org.