RINCON --  United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Effingham office held its annual Campaign Kickoff Luncheon on Wednesday  at Effingham College and Career Academy. 

Sponsors of the luncheon included Georgia-Pacific Savannah River Mill, Georgia Power and Effingham Health System. The use of the space was provided by the Effingham College and Career Academy, whose Culinary Arts students prepared the lunch. 

Effingham County’s campaign goal was announced as $348,000.

United Way introduced its new president and CEO, Deb Thompson, along with the leaders of this year’s campaign, Larry Silbermann of WTOC, Ryan Waters of Edward Jones and Lisa Saxon of Reiser & Reiser CPAs. 

The event highlighted pacesetter organizations who conduct their campaign prior to the kickoff date. This helps set the pace for other companies to follow suit -- and this year these companies set the bar high.

 United Way thanked the following pacesetter companies for leading Effingham toward improving lives: Effingham County Board of Education, Edward Jones, GOL Security, Renasant Bank and Reiser & Reiser CPAs. These organizations pledged a combined total of $92,759. 

Perdue Transportation Inc. and Lineage Logistics were recognized for presenting $5,000 each to United Way’s campaign. This brings the combined campaign total to date to $102,759. 

United Way unveiled its Campaign message, “One for All and All for One”, to reflect United Way’s purpose to support everything the community needs. This is made possible through United Way’s Community Fund. Campaign leaders encouraged attendees to “Live United, Give United” as the tagline of this message. 

 If you would like to participate in improving lives in our community, give United Way a call today at 912-826-5300.

See the Sept. 19 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.