United Fund makes 2010 goal

Total pledges equal $119K; surpasses target by $4K

By Michele Gerlach (Contact) | Andalusia Star-News

Originally published 12:00 a.m., December 12, 2009
Updated 05:16 p.m., December 14, 2009

Covington County’s United Fund 2010 drive has exceeded its fund-raising goal.

CCUF vice president Dwight Mikel said the drive has received contributions and pledges totaling $119,120, exceeding its goal by more than $4,000.

“Thank you, Covington County, for a job well done,” Mikel said.

“The Covington County United Fund is first and foremost a community-driven organization,” he said. “We support agencies that provide essential services to our area’s most vulnerable populations. We fund relief to victims of disaster; aid to indigent transients; hot meals to home-bound individuals; needy families with food and clothing; shelter for battered women and children; crisis pregnancy center; and funds to aid in both the mind and body of our youth.”

The organization’s mission is to help people, he said.

“That mission has, if anything, become even more critical in the current economy,” he said. “We want to assure our donors that dollars raised here will stay here. We will continue to fund local agencies that in turn support neighbors in need. We want to remind everyone that, ‘their gift goes far, but not far away.’”

Agencies funded for 2010 and the amounts they will receive include:

• Sav-A-Life — $4,500

• Opportunity House — $4,500

• Girl Scouts — $3,600

• Cub Scouts Red Level — $500

• Meals on Wheels — $1,800

• Covington County Recreation Board — $6,888

• Governor’s Committee on Employment of Persons with Disabilities — $4,500

• Community Christmas — $2,160

• Boy Scouts Troop/Pack 46 — $5,040

• Covington County 4-H Clubs — $6,750

• Covington County Adult Training Center — $4,500

• Opp Public Library — $1,800

• Crossover Ministries — $4,500

• Andalusia Public Library — $2,700

• SAFE of Covington County — $2,500

• Andalusia Ministerial Association — $1,260

• Impact of Covington County — $4,800

• Florala EMS — $2,500

• Muscular Dystrophy Association — $2,000

• American Red Cross — $16,000

• Andalusia Youth Sports — $9,941

• Opp Youth Sports — $5,740

• Opp Benevolence — $3,150

• Florala Public Library — $900

The United Fund board also set aside administrative costs estimated at 7 percent, including accounting fees, printing, advertising, postage and supplies.

United Fund encourages residents to contribute the equivalent of one hour’s compensation per month. Contributions can be mailed to CCUF, P.O. Box 1791, Andalusia, AL, 36421.

This story was edited on Mon., Dec. 14, to correct the amount of money United Fund allocated to Andalusia Youth Sports. It should be $9,941, as the story now states, not $5,740, as first reported. The Star-News is happy to set the record straight.