United Way Goal to Be Announced at Kick-Off Breakfast Thursday

The Franklin County Area United Way will announce its 2012 fundraising goal Thursday morning at a special kick-off breakfast for corporate contributors.

The event will be held in the health and science building lecture hall at East Central College in Union.

A continental breakfast will be served from 7 to 7:45 a.m. followed by the program at 7:50 a.m.

Representatives of the United Way’s Top 30 corporate contributors, the five pilot companies spearheading the drive and emerging companies have been invited, according to Kim Strubberg, resource development associate.

Emerging companies are those that are either new or expanding their campaigns.

City and county officials also have been invited, Strubberg said.

The campaign co-chairs are Brad Mitchell and Becky Buhr. Both will speak at the kickoff.

Along with the goal, special events planned during the campaign will be announced.

The United Way’s campaign video will be shown which highlights Rainbow Activity Center, Union. The center provides learning opportunities to adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities to enable them to be vital members of the community.

The guest speaker this year will be Lori Doyle, who will talk about Rainbow Activity Center. At the end of the program, several people served by the agency will present thank-you notes they colored.

United Way board members and representatives of the five pilot companies will be introduced during the program. Sponsors for the campaign also will be announced.

Strubberg said she expects between 60 and 75 people to attend. Campaign materials will be passed out as well.

The official start to the drive is Sept. 4. The campaign will run through Oct. 31.