Pace-Setters begin with Day of Caring

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
August 2, 2002
United Way of East Mississippi's Pace-Setter Campaign begins today with breakfast at First Baptist Church, followed by community service projects.
Pace-Setters are companies whose employees have agreed to begin their annual United Way fund-raising early Aug. 2 through Sept. 17 to set the pace for the organization's annual campaign.
The formal fund-raising campaign begins in October.
Pace-Setter volunteers will work at United Way agencies today during the annual Day of Caring.
Sutton said United Way developed Day of Caring with five goals in mind:
1) To connect donors and potential donors with United Way agencies;
2) To foster long-term local volunteerism;
3) To position United Way as a major collaborator in the community through service work;
4) To develop a long-range positive impact on the annual campaign fund drive through volunteer and donor connections; and
5) To give United Way agencies some much needed volunteer labor.
Volunteers will do repair work, painting, landscaping and other tasks for the following local United Way agencies today: American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Care Lodge, Community of Hope, Girl Scouts, Hope Village for Children, Meals on Wheels, Mental Health Association, Meridian Speech and Hearing Center, Salvation Army and Wesley House.