United Way achieves 70 percent of goal

Ronnie Smith as Superman and Dr. Alan King.

By Shelley Smithssmith@salisburypost.com

Two weeks ago the, Rowan County United Way campaign was at 48.1 percent of its $1,776,000 goal.

As of Wednesday, fundraising totaled more than $1.23 million, or 69.6 percent of the goal.

"We still have major accounts and smaller accounts we haven't heard from," said Dr. Alan King, campaign chairman. He expressed hope those accounts would provide a good boost toward the goal.

Wednesday's United Way campaign meeting was held at Cloninger Ford-Toyota, with Gary's Barbecue providing a tasty meal.

The organization's public relations committee pumped everyone up for the meeting, asking Batman trivia questions and even dancing to the Batman television theme song.

Then Ronnie Smith, a member of the United Way board and public relations committee, really cheered on the campaign.

"Now what superhero have we not had?" Smith asked the crowd. Some yelled out "Superman."

Smith then started taking off his clothes, revealing a Superman shirt and red shorts. He ran around the room shouting the importance of donating to United Way and getting new people to donate.

"Superman" also drew the names of four finalists for the United Way campaign car giveaway.

The updated totals raised for each campaign group and the corresponding percent of their goals are:

- Presidents — $140,648.72, 50.2 percent

- Special Gifts — $128,722.60, 94 percent

- Professionals - $74,399.03, 71.5 percent

- Chairmans — $192,534.07, 43.1 percent

- Public Employees — $130,776.20, 100.6 percent

- Community Business - $3,165, 63.3 percent

- Industrial 1 — $36,575, 44.1 percent

- Industrial 2 — $57,593.26, 67.8 percent

- Commercial 1 — $60,671.20, 93.3 percent

- Commercial 2 — $77,923.04, 91.7 percent

- Commercial 3 — $75,832.89, 98.5 percent

- Education — $50,465.84, 86.9 percent

Dr. Walter Hart commended his education division for their hard work on this year's campaign.

"I'm so proud of Rowan-Salisbury Schools, and all the schools involved," Hart said. "They have brought in $1,000 more than last year, despite less employees and economic constraints."

Hart noted that Carson and West Rowan high schools' campaigns have raised nearly $20,000.

Karen Carpenter introduced Carolyn Bayer at the meeting. Bayer's mother visits Abundant Living every day, which is a big help to both Bayer and her mother.

"The activities, camaraderie, everything there is great for her," said Bayer. "She doesn't have to sit at home all day by herself, and gets to stay busy."

Bayer thanked United Way for helping to fund Abundant Living.

"I can't speak highly enough of United Way on supporting the program," she said.

At the end of each meeting, two names are picked to be in the running for a car at the close of the campaign.

Four local dealerships provide the car for the fundraiser giveaway. They are Ben Mynatt Nissan, Cloninger Ford-Toyota, Gerry Wood Automotive and Team Chevrolet.

Since there was no meeting last week, four names were drawn at Thursday's meeting: Judy Hutchinson, Supply One; Donna Timpf, Rowan Regional Medical Center; Rolane Ramsey, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; James L Peebles, Performance Fibers.