Yesterday, over 350 supporters were on-hand to help United Way of Central Georgia kickoff their Annual Campaign at a “super hero” themed luncheon held at Mercer University’s Hawkins Arena. This event marks the beginning of the four-month fundraising drive to raise money for 46 local health and human service programs of 31 Partner Agencies. These programs depend on United Way of Central Georgia to keep up with the demands of helping people in the fourteen-county area we serve.
 
“Our campaign theme this year is: BE HEROIC, LIVE UNITED.  And while we have been having fun incorporating superhero themes into a lot of our messaging, it really resonates with me because all of you are truly heroes,” said 2015 Campaign Chair Eddie Norris, President & CEO of CB&T.   “Your contribution of money and time to rescue others in need is the true definition of being a hero.  We could not be successful without our heroes, our donors.”
 
Norris announced a campaign goal of $5,00,000 dollars, which would be the most ever raised in Central Georgia.   “Only with your help, can United Way and our partner agencies have a true impact on our focus areas of education, financial stability, health and basic needs,” said  Eddie Norris.
 
“Heroes are those who help people in need.  Knowing the needs of so many of our neighbors and friends in our community, I admire Campaign Chair Eddie Norris and his campaign cabinet for setting such a heroic goal,”  said George McCanless, President & CEO of United Way of Central Georgia.  “Achieving this goal will provide the additional  support our partners need to meet their demands for services, as well as enabling us to expand our Read2Succeed program to 10 elementary schools this year.  We have to have our children reading on grade level by 3rd grade if we want them to earn their degree and go on to college or career.  Knowing the success this program has had at our pilot school, our team is focused and determined to provide these same opportunities to hundreds more children in Central Georgia.”

This year’s Kickoff was presented by Cox Communications, and sponsored by Coliseum Health System, BB&T and SunTrust.  13WMAZ’s Frank Malloy emceed the event.