Graham Area United Way kicks off 2017 fundraising season

Graham Area United Way has raised a third of their newly announced 2017 goal of $118,000, through the efforts of local organizations. The organization had already raised $40,525, it was announced during the drive’s official kick-off Tuesday. United Way supports 14 local agencies in Graham they allocate money to every year. Funds are distributed by an allocation committee which contains members also in the executive committee and board of directors for United Way. “This year we have a challenge to raise $118,000,” United Way Director Kim Birdwell said. “That is a lot of money and that’s what those agencies told us that they need to do the work that they do, and you know I don’t want one child to not get a meal and I don’t want one senior to not get a meal delivered to their home…I don’t want any of those one things to happen and we totally have the power to do it.” For the rest of this story, subscribe to our print or online edition.