The 2015 Scurry County United Way Campaign kicked off Tuesday with a luncheon at Martha Ann Woman’s Club.
Believe There is Good in the World is the campaign’s theme. The campaign goal is $120,000.
Keynote speaker Snyder Mayor Tony Wofford spoke positively about the community.
“Snyder is the greatest city I have ever lived in,” he told the audience. “Snyder is a beautiful community. Snyder believes in teamwork.”
Teamwork is the key to having a successful United Way campaign, Wofford said.
“Be the good and be a positive force (in the community),” he said.
Acknowledging that there are some bad things going on around us, “I still believe there is good in the world. And it’s here in Snyder. It’s a privilege to help United Way agencies reach their goal,” Wofford said.
Mark McClain, campaign chairman, echoed Wofford’s message.
“Snyder is a unique place. We have so much to be thankful for. We want Snyder to be the real thing,” he said, referring to the bottles of Coca Cola that were part of each table’s centerpiece decoration. “The United Way has earned the trust of the community but it needs money to reach its goal.”
According to McClain, 11 pacesetters have already contributed 25 percent of the $120,000 goal. Pacesetters — businesses who contributed $500 or more before the kickoff luncheon — were Oncor, Primary Utility Services, Oxy Permian, United Supermarkets, the Snyder Daily News, Big Country Electric Cooperative, Exxon Mobil, Benchmark, Stripes Convenience Stores and West Texas State Bank (WTSB).
He also said that when WTSB moves into its new office, the furniture in the current building will be sold and proceeds will be donated to the United Way.
In addition to kicking off the new campaign, Scurry County United Way treasurer Patricia West issued the final checks to the eight agencies that received funding in 2014. They included Gateway Family Services, Boy Scouts-Buffalo Trail Council, Girl Scouts of Texas-Oklahoma Plains, Snyder Day Care Center, the Volunteer Fire Department, the Scurry County Food Cupboard, the West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center and the Cancer Services Network.
The United Way added Snyder We Care as one of the agencies that will receive the funds raised during this year’s campaign.
Other United Way board officers are Kellye Starnes, president; Bill Crist, first vice president; Barbara McGee, second vice president; and Dr. Rachael McClain, recording secretary.
The United Way office, located at 2311 Ave. T, will be open from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations may be dropped off at the office or mailed to P.O. Box 1411, Snyder, TX 79550.
Donations also may be made through the United Way website, www.scurrycountyunitedway.org. Campaign updates will be available on the local United Way’s Facebook page and website.