For 50 years, Stokes County people have been generously giving their hard-earned money to help local agencies in the area through the vehicle once known as the United Way, now termed the United Fund. This fund is indeed what it is called—a fund collected from citizens who unite to sponsor worthy causes, such as Stokes County 4-H, Stokes SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), and Girl and Boy Scouts, to name just a few of the more familiar service organizations.

This year’s focus is “Celebrating 50 Years” in a movement that the United Fund calls, “Neighbor Helping Neighbor.” The 2008-09 campaign kick-off was held at the county extension office on Thursday as approximately 60 people gathered to share a barbecue lunch. Two charter members were among those present—Lena Priddy and Willis Overby. They labored to begin the first ever United Way campaign in Stokes County back in 1958.

Special speaker for the luncheon was WXII news anchor, Margaret Johnson. As she began her speech, Johnson shared some advice that her co-worker, meteorologist Austin Caviness, had given her: “Be bright, be brief, and be gone!” As the laughter died down, Johnson began to tell the story of how God miraculously healed her of pancreatic cancer after a grim prognosis was given to her three years ago.

Many in the room wiped away tears as Johnson herself broke down with tears of joy as she expressed her gratitude for how God has touched her life. She encouraged the crowd, “Nothing is too big for God to handle,” relating this to the present fundraising campaign, saying He would bless it “if you’re doing it for the glory of God.”

As Johnson sat down, the audience gave her a standing ovation. Donna Rogers, United Fund executive director, continued the message, saying, “I know it’s gonna be a tough year, but with God on my side, I know we can raise whatever funds we need to help any citizens who need help.”

Mary Kerley, Stokes County’s United Fund president, stated, “As long as I’m healthy, I think it’s incumbent upon me to give back to the good people of this county.”

Rogers and Kerley then handed out awards to the following Pacesetters who heavily sponsor United Fund: Dow Roofing Systems, Duke Energy – Belews Creek Steam Station, Parkdale America, RJR Foundation, Stokes County Government Center, Stokes County Schools, Stokes Family YMCA and Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital.

The United Fund mission statement sums up the purpose of the organization: “To increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another by providing health and human services to the people of Stokes County through 22 member agencies.”

The member agencies, which provide services to enrich Stokes County, are: American Red Cross; Association for Retarded Children (ARC); Bowman Gray Child Guidance; Boy Scouts; Cancer Services, Inc.; Family Services, Inc. (24-hour crisis line, Battered Women’s Shelter, Rape Response); Girl Scouts; Group Homes of Forsyth County; Healthy Carolinians of Stokes; Hospice of Stokes County; Partnership for a Drug-free NC, Inc.; Stokes Family YMCA; The Salvation Army; Stokes Advocacy Council to Seniors; Stokes County 4-H; Stokes County Mental Health Association; Stokes County Public Library; Stokes County Special Olympics; Stokes County Volunteer Center; Stokes Friends of Youth; Stokes SCAN 24-hour crisis line; and Stokes Family Violence Services.

The goal this year for Stokes County is $220,000—down from last year’s $240,000 goal due to tough economic times. Workers in Forsyth County can designate that their contributions go to Stokes County to help the local populace. “I’d also like to encourage first-time givers,” Rogers stated.

The mood of the United Fund kick-off was summed up in a Margaret Mead quotation read by Kerley, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”