UF drive a success

Published 8:32 pm Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sandra Grey helps raise money during Saturday’s boot drive for United Fund.

Atmore’s United Fund is almost $1,000 closer to their 2012 campaign goal of $60,000 after their annual “Boot Drive” held Saturday on the corner of Main and Church Streets.

the “Boot Drive” because the effort originated with fundraiser using actually boots to collect money said Lee Ann Allen, Atmore UF president.

Allen said Saturday’s five hour drive was a huge help to the fund’s overall goal and commended Atmore residents, as well as those just passing through town, for their generosity towards the cause.

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“The boot drive was a total success,” she said. “The weather was beautiful and the people were quite generous. We had a good balance of donations from the local community as well as people from out of town that were here for the softball tournament at Poarch.   We raised $841.61.”

Allen said the money collected puts the UF at around $10,000 from their 2012 goal. She added the drive will need an extra effort from local businesses in order to reach their expected total in the time allotted.

“We should be right at $50,000,” Allen said. “We still have a goal of $60,000.00. We need all the help we can get. I am challenging businesses that have not given to match our boot drive total.”

The United Fund uses the funds raised to support local agencies including: American Red Cross; Friends of Education of Escambia County, Ala.; Atmore Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Baseball; Atmore Pee Wee football; Atmore Tee Ball league; Escambia County Cooperative Library System; Atmore Public Library; Greater Escambia Council for the Arts; Atmore YMCA; Atmore Girls Softball; Concerned Citizens of Atmore; Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry; and Hospitality House Ministry.