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The United Way of the Midlands-Edisto Council has taken a significant first step in reversing recent declines in donations by meeting its fund-raising goal for the 2007-2008 campaign.

The generosity of major contributors and volunteers, along with an increased community awareness of the agency and its service goals, has enabled the Edisto Council to extend its helping hands.

"Debra Smith, our account manager, has done a wonderful job in representing us in the community. The board also came together about three years ago to work hard on getting our fund-raising level back to where it was in years past. It's taken us some time, but it's absolutely a great feeling to reach our $200,000 fund-raising goal," Edisto Council Board Chairman Sam Irwin said.

"Percentage-wise, that's a great increase over the last few years. Once we have the amount of money that we've collected established, we'll sit down and budget out our allocations. The great thing about meeting our goal is that's more money for your community. It's just a great opportunity to give them more," Irwin said. "We consider the real winner to be our agencies we serve and our communities."

The council kicked off its fund-raising campaign this past September. The 2006-2007 campaign saw a 27 percent increase in donations over the previous year, with $175,000 garnered, but the agency still fell short of its goal of $250,000.

Smith said the continued support of major contributors has helped make this year an even greater success, along with more community awareness, support from various community agencies and a "really great and active" 17-member board.

"I just want to thank the community so much for all the support that we've gotten. I also want to thank SCBT on the St. Matthews Road. They give us office space, which k.jpg our overhead costs way down. We had a real successful golf tournament in October, where we netted about $75,000," Smith said. "A lot of companies participated in that golf tournament."

Smith said the major contributors to this year's campaign included: Albemarle; city of Orangeburg; Department of Public Utilities; county of Orangeburg; Carpenter Technology; Claflin University; Community Resource Bank; Cox Industries; Federal Mogul; Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College; Scana; Savannah River Site; SCBT and Zachry Construction.

The Edisto United Way merged with the United Way of the Midlands in August 2003. It now serves Orangeburg and Calhoun counties, along with Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. Smith has served as part-time account manager for the Edisto Council since June 2006.

Like Smith, Irwin also credits heightened community awareness of the United Way and its mission with helping the Edisto Council reach its fund-raising goal. He also credits newspaper coverage with increasing awareness, along with the agency's merger with the United Way of the Midlands, whose "successful" television campaign has reached many people.

"But most important is the hard work of Debra Smith. She has been effective in her calling efforts to raise awareness of our United Way in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties. This is a great story. I'm certainly glad to be a small part of it. In an uncertain economy when you have needs to be met, it provides a great feeling," Irwin said.

There are 14 agencies receiving United Way funds, including Habitat for Humanity, Calhoun County First S.jpg and Santee Literacy Council.

Dr. Howard Hill, who served as the council's 2006-2007 loaned executive, said the agency has reached a "momentum of successful fund-raising" it hopes to continue.

"The momentum is going to bode well for the operations of the United Way for the counties, but it's more than money. The United Way is a service organization. Through our successful fund-raising initiative, we can provide greater service to those in need," said Hill, noting that a strong board and Smith's success in igniting enthusiasm and recognition of program goals were integral in fostering the momentum.

"That's really what made this year's campaign work," he said.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgletaon@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534.

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