Chris Kimery, Colonial Life; Michael Brenan, BB&T & chair of United Way of the Midlands Board of Directors; Mary Kennemur, campaign co- chair; Steve Morrison, campaign co- chair. Hundreds of people gathered at Sterling Hall on September 4 to help United Way of the Midlands officially kick off their annual fundraising campaign and learned that 25% of the $12,200,000 goal is already pledged.

To the cheers of LIVE UNITED, pacesetters were recognized for their leadership and generosity. To qualify as a pacesetter, the company must run an advanced campaign that represents a 10% increase in funds raised or have a like increase in the number of employees participating. This year, the contributions of 29 companies and more than 20 individuals were acknowledged. (The individuals were donors who were not part of a workplace campaign.)

"This group of advance workplace campaigns, which delivered $3,080,000, help demonstrate we can have great results even in a difficult economy," Mary Kennemur, campaign co- chair announced from the podium.

Mary Kennemur, campaign co- chair and Carlette Walker, SCANA Corporations or businesses were not the only ones recognized for their leadership in giving on Thursday afternoon. Of the 29 pacesetters, 14 were non- profit organizations that are United Way of the Midlands certified partner agencies. Staff from these agencies work every day serving Midlands- area residents with pressing health and human service needs. Their eagerness to also donate to making these programs possible shows their genuine dedication to advancing the common good.

Much of the program featured recognition of the pacesetters with the help of campaign co- chairs Steve Morrison and Mary Kennemur. Pacesetter chair Gil Walker shared his own inspiring LIVE UNITED story, and Speaker's Bureau chair Reverend Redfern II, who announced the pacesetter award winners, provided commentary on each and every company recognized as he led the crowd in resounding LIVE UNITED cheers.

"I am a product of public housing, so I know what it's like to be in difficult times, and I was also blessed with the opportunity to benefit from the services of the Boys and Girls Club," said Redfern. "It's wonderful to see so many groups already doing such great things finding ways to give. That is what living united is all about."

"We were very pleased with the turnout," said Mac Bennett, United Way of the Midlands president and CEO. "However, the important part of today's event is that people had a chance to hear about the quality work that their donations help to fund in this community. As a result, people can be confident that the dollars they give to United Way of the Midlands are going towards solving real problems in the Midlands."

The next event to note is the Day of Action on September 26, which is a community- wide day for people to lend a hand and take action by volunteering for various projects around the Midlands.

For more information about United Way of the Midlands' campaign, kickoff or Day of Action, visit www.uway.org.