Atmore area residents, businesses and organizations still have time to make a contribution that can make a difference through United Fund.

United Fund organizers kicked-off the 2011 drive earlier this year and have been requesting donations to help fund the 19 agencies that serve citizens in the area.

Throughout the year, the agencies who receive funding from contributions made to United Fund provide assistance to residents with programs such as youth athletic teams as well as food distribution, books for homebound residents and even awareness and prevention activities aimed at area youth.

Dr. Bernard Bishop is serving as president for the 2011 United Fund group. He explained a drop in the goal for the group was made due to current economic conditions and failure to meet goals in recent years.

“Our goal for 2011 is $50,000,” Bishop said. “This figure is down from last year and previous years. We had to make some adjustments because we have lost a major donor. We are calling the community into action. We need donations for this campaign.”

With the loss of major contributors such as the Neal Trust, Lee Ann Allen, a member of the board, said the group is tasked with thinking outside of the box for fundraising.

“We are working on more creative ways to raise money,” Allen said. “More awareness is going to be key, so we will definitely need the support of our local media outlets. We will be visiting local businesses along with agency representatives to make the community aware of what their donated dollars do for their neighbors.”

Agencies that benefit from funds raised through the United Fund campaign are the American Red Cross, Atmore Area Christian Care Ministries, Atmore Babe Ruth Baseball, Atmore Cal Ripken/Bambino Baseball, Atmore Girls Softball, Atmore Pee Wee Football, Atmore Public Library, Atmore T-ball, Concerned Citizens of Atmore, Council on Aging, Dr. Bernard Bishop Ministries, Escambia County Cooperative Library, Friends of Education of Escambia County, GECA, Hospitality House Ministry, Progressive Civic and Recreational Club, Youth Leadership Atmore and Atmore Area YMCA.

United Fund’s annual drive has netted $16,640 so far during the 2011 drive.