Brown County United Way organizers held the 2012 Campaign Kick Off luncheon at the Howard Payne University Mabee Center Tuesday, which was attended by representatives from the organizations supported by United Way as well as many donors and civic leaders.
This year’s campaign is led by co-chairpersons Ruth Willey and Chanda Moseley. Each spoke of the needs in Brown County and how all donations help the organizations United Way serves. Willey explained that the goal for the 2012 campaign is not a specific number but to reach or surpass the amount donated in the 2011 campaign, which was $75,000 less than the amount received in 2009.
“We have a goal of meeting or exceeding the $250,000 of 2010,” stated Willey. “It’s important to encourage co-workers to give to these amazing programs.”
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes was the keynote speaker of the event and talked about his awakening as a young attorney to learn that not all of his success came from his own endeavors. He stated he learned this from the children in his wife’s first classroom, first graders, who did not come to school equal in dress or emotional stability.
“Not all of us get an equal chance in life, most of my success was largely an accident of birth” said Mayor Haynes. “There are some in our community who were not blessed, some in our community who were not given the opportunity that I was.”
He also reminded those in attendance that although the current recession has been hard on this generation, times were much harder during the Great Depression era. Roosevelt’s New Deal at that time introduced the first government implementation of social programs and Haynes explained that although they contribute to the national debt, they are nevertheless important.
“People found hope and help through the New Deal and when lawmakers don’t pass these programs, that’s where the United Way comes in and gives support, benefiting our children, our families and providing services for our community, but largely preventing government from having to address it,” stated Haynes.
Mayor Haynes said that he likes the United Way because it provides a “one-stop shop” which gives residents the opportunity to give at one place to benefit many. He also pointed out that the United Way has a local focus with no tax increases to support it and it is a value based help.
The 2012 United Way agencies include the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, Cancer Services Network, Family Services Center, Latch key Program, Brown County Association for Retarded Citizens, Mid-Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Small World Child Development Center, The Ark, Boys & Girls Clubs, Brown County 4-H Clubs, CASA, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, and Salvation Army Loaves and Fishes.
Pictured above (left to right) are: Campaign co-chair Ruth Willey, Mayor Stephen Haynes, United Way Board of Directors President Bill Thomas, and campaign co-chair Chandra Moseley.
See a Mayor Haynes entire speech in the video below.
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