By Staff
Guest column
It is time for the annual kickoff of the Atmore Area United Fund Drive. This year marks the 50th annual drive for the Atmore Area. As the time draws near, I often wonder if W.F. Corman, J.M. Jones, Sam B. Ford, Mrs. Jessie Bennett, Mrs. Miles Horn, Haskew Middleton, C.H. Bethea, A.P. Webb, Hattie Lou Hawke, W.M. Patterson, T.M. Hand and Randolph Luttrell, the incorporators of the Atmore Area United Fund had any idea the number of people this effort would impact.
For 50 years the caring and giving citizens of Atmore have contributed to deserving agencies through the United Fund. This year the United Fund will provide much needed assistance to 19 local agencies. These agencies include Atmore Area YMCA, American Red Cross, Atmore Public Library, Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry, Progressive Civic and Recreational Club, Concerned Citizens, Atmore Area Boy Scouts, Atmore Area Girl Scouts, Agency on Aging and Community Service, Atmore Historical Society, Escambia County Cooperative Library, Atmore Lions Community Center, Alabama Crippled Children's Society, Atmore Tee Ball, Atmore Bambino and Babe Ruth Baseball, Atmore Girls Softball, Northwest Escambia Little League and Atmore Pee Wee Football.
These agencies have most assuredly touched your life or someone you know in our community. It may have been through the summer camp at the YMCA, or playing baseball in one of the many baseball leagues or even taking a child to story time at the Atmore Public Library. Without your support many of these fine agencies would not be able to offer the programs they do today.
This year's drive begins with the kickoff luncheon at the Community Center on Wednesday, September 15th. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at United Bank, First National Bank, or from any board member. I am extremely grateful to our board for all the hard work they do to make our drive a success. Our Division Managers this year are: Silverzee Brown, Religion; Eldred Pritchett, Education; Carol Crook, Business; Anne Hetzel, Industry; Shirley Darby, Professional; Celia Lambert, Government; Carolyn Rackard, Poarch Creek Nation.
If you can't make the luncheon please thoughtfully consider a pledge for this year's drive. All of the proceeds stay in the Atmore area and many organizations would not be able to operate if it were not for the United Fund. Let's make this year's drive the best yet.