The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has announced a goal of $3 million for the 2010 fundraising campaign, which kicked off at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce September Business After Hours held at City Tile Tuesday evening.

The goal is an increase of $200,000 from 2009’s fundraising goal, which was $2.8 million.

“After reviewing our current campaigns, identifying potential new campaigns, and taking into account various factors such as opportunities, threats, and the current economic climate, the Campaign Cabinet decided upon a goal that we believe to be both achievable and necessary in order to strive to meet needs in our community,” said Pat Murphy, 2010 Campaign Chair and plant manager at General Mills. “Our agencies need our help now more than ever, and we must increase our annual campaign total at a steady pace to be congruent with the growing needs of our community.”

The kick-off announcement also revealed that 10% of the $3 million goal has already been attained through the Pacesetter campaigns, which involves companies and organizations electing to conduct their campaigns prior to Tuesday’s event in order to kick off the campaign with a portion of the goal already secured. The 2010 Pacesetter campaigns included:
 
FirstBank
Site Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce
ClaimTrust
Heritage Farms Dairy
Community Care of Rutherford County
Child Advocacy Center
Community Helpers of Rutherford County
Boys & Girls Club of Rutherford County
Domestic Violence Program
Smyrna/LaVergne Food Bank
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry of Smyrna
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Exchange Club Family Center
MidSouth Bank
Rutherford County Emergency Food Bank
United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties Staff
Murfreesboro Electric Department
Discovery Center at Murfree Springs
Don and Hanna Witherspoon
United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties Board of Directors
Ingram Content Group
American Red Cross
Legal Aid Society
Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency
 
United Way’s campaign will span through the fall until December, with a celebration event planned for early 2011.

The fundraising campaign secures pledges and donations via payroll deduction, cash, check, or credit card, or by raising funds through a special event or corporate gift.

The funds are then allocated to United Way’s partner agencies and programs through a panel of nearly 80 volunteers. Last year, those agencies and programs served more than 93,000 (or one in three) residents in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

For more information on becoming involved with the United Way campaign, please contact (615) 893-7303 or visit www.uwrutherford.org.