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    The United Way of Cumberland County kicked off its annual fundraising campaign Aug. 19. More than 250 community leaders gathered for the luncheon at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church to show their support for United Way and enthusiasm for this year’s campaign.
    For its annual fundraising campaign, United Way works with more than 100 companies and organizations in Cumberland County.
    “What’s so unique about United Way,” said Roberta Humphries, director of resource development, “is that people can donate through payroll deductions.”
    Humphries added, “It’s incredible to see how seemingly small amounts of money add up to make such a great difference for the people of Cumberland County.”
    {mosimage}Speakers at the kickoff included United Way’s 2008 campaign chair, Stuart Walters; board chair, Mac Edwards; and volunteers George Quigley, Patty Pittman, and Brian Morrison.
    The three volunteers spoke about the importance of advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism. Patty Pittman, who received aid from a United Way agency when her house caught fire in 2001, told the kickoff audience, “If you were a contributor to the United Way back in the year 2000, you helped us that day. And the best part is, you didn’t even know us!”
    A phrase from the United Way’s 2008 campaign video, created by Time Warner Cable and Media Sales, Jeff Hylland, another United Way volunteer, echoes Pittman’s sentiment: “You can feel good about (your) money going to something bigger than what you could do on your own.”
    The United Way of Cumberland County was started in 1939, as a nonprofit organization working to improve the overall quality of lives in our community by addressing critical human needs, including education, income and health. Annually, the United Way supports numerous organizations in Cumberland County including the YMCA, the American Red Cross, Better Health, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, CommuniCare, Boy Scouts, Fayetteville Urban Ministries and the Rape Crisis Center. In the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the United Way of Cumberland County gave more than $110 million in funding to community programs.