Local News - September 2003

United Way launches campaign

Panther Shane Burton speaks at kickoff luncheon

By SARAH GRANO, Staff Writer

————————————

The harder the economic times, the more charity is needed.

“It always gets harder to raise money when people are worried about their job, or companies are closing their doors,” said Seth Haney, president of United Way of Lincoln County.

“It is very hard for somebody to step up and help meet these needs when they have their own needs. We’ve done some things to organize ourselves to be successful.”

Some thing is being done right because area companies have already raised $142,389, which is 32 percent of the campaign goal.

The campaign kicked off on Tuesday with a speech from Carolina Panther’s defensive tackle, Shane Burton.

Burton told the crowd that he had never given a speech in front of a large group of people, and he joked that he was tricked into coming.

 “I was told I was going to sign autographs for kids,” he said.

The 6-foot, 6-inch defensive tackle is currently playing his second season with the Carolina Panthers.

Burton, who is originally from Catawba County, spent most of his speech talking about football.

“This is the place I wanted to play for years, and I never thought I would be able to play here,” Burton said.

“This was a dream for me to come back and play in my hometown.”

When he was finished with his speech he answered questions from the crowd and later signed autographs.

He was asked to speak at the kickoff because of the NFL’s history of supporting United Way.

“It’s a big event,” said Haney. “We try to get everyone to come out. People like to see Panthers players, so it’s a big draw. It gets the excitement going to launch the kickoff.”

The United Way hopes to raise $450,000 during their 2003 to 2004 campaign.

The money will be donated to area agencies such as the American Red Cross and Communities in Schools.

“The money goes to 18 health and human service agencies,” said Rhonda Sigman, the executive director of United Way of Lincoln County.

The distribution of money “depends on whatever the needs are,” Sigman said.

Money will be raised from employer campaigns and individual gifts.

—————

Staff Writer Sarah Grano can be reached at 704-735-3031 or sgrano@ltnews.com

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions