By By Paul Keane
Publisher
Heading into the homestretch of its campaign, the Atmore United Fund is ready to rock on Nov. 19 at United Bank. And area businesses are being encouraged and challenged to roll up some money for the group that funds numerous charitable organizations in Atmore.
"Last year, we received requests from organizations for a total of $85,000," said Terrence Breckenridge, head of this year's United Fund drive. "We ended up writing checks totaling $68,000.
"If we don't make our goal this year, we will have to look at cutting some funding to agencies. We don't want to do that, but that would have to be looked at if we don't make our goal."
This year's goal is $100,000, and organizers have collected pledges totaling $40,000 so far. Many employee contribution and corporate pledges still remain to be turned in, so Breckenridge said he wasn't sure of an exact number.
The Nov. 19 "rock-a-thon" is being used as a way to receive a large amount of pledges in one day. Businesses are being encouraged to form teams that will rock in one rocking chair in shifts between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with pledges being taken two different ways.
"People can make a straight pledge to a team or pledge by the number of hours rocked," said Caroline Crane with United Fund. "Each team will be given one rocker, and they can decorate it any way they want. We'll also be taking donations at the site on the day of the 'rock-a-thon.'"
Any business raising $100 or more in pledges will have its name placed in a drawing for a free half-page ad from The Atmore Advance. The ad must be used by Dec. 31, 2002. Every business or individual raising more than $100 will have one chance in the drawing.
"We are looking to also get the many organizations that receive funding from United Fund – such as the Boy Scouts, youth baseball, Red Cross and the library – to form teams and rock with us," Crane said. "The thing about United Fund is that 100 percent of the money raised here in Atmore stays here in Atmore, so this is really people in Atmore helping themselves and others in Atmore."
Crane pointed out businesses that have not made a contribution to United Fund can use the "rock-a-thon" as a way to raise money for a corporate pledge. That includes large industries and small businesses alike.
In addition, a luncheon will be served for $5 a person during the event. Lunch will begin serving at 11:30 a.m. and will feature a hamburger, chips, a Pepsi product and a dessert. All proceeds from the sale of those lunches will go to the United Fund, and people not participating in the event are welcome to place their orders for take-out.
The deadline to sign up a time is Friday. For more information, or to register one or more teams, call 368-2525.