UW at 61 percent of 2011 goal of $260,000

The Callaway County United Way has collected almost two-thirds of its 2011 fund-raising goal of $260,000.

Kathy Richey Liddle, United Way executive director, said $159,575.39 in cash and pledges have been received so far, which is about 61 percent of the 2011 fund-raising goal of $260,000. The 2011 campaign started on Sept. 30. It will end in April of next year after the annual Celebrity Waiter event.

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Arkansas Army National Guard

A member of the 39th Infantry Brigade fires his gun while training to guard a dignitary under fire in Kuwait.

Glenn Harris will become the 2012 United Way board chairman next month. "It looks a little scary now with much of the goal remaining. But I am confident that we will be very close to meeting our goal or exceed it. We are still waiting on several large employee campaign results to be turned in to the United Way," Harris said.

"There's still time to donate. People can do so at the United Way website at www.callawayunitedway.com," Harris said.

Harris noted that the next fundraiser for the United Way will be the Celebrity Waiter banquet scheduled for April 14. "The money raised at this event should put us over the top. This event will count toward our 2011 goal of $260,000," Harris said.

Richey Liddle added that when numbers are compared to last year from all of the still unreported employee campaigns, the fund-raising drive is now estimated to be about $8,000 short of its goal.

She said the deadline is Friday for anyone making a tax-deductible donation who wants to participate in the 2011 United Way Sweepstakes. Individual contributions are eligible for six donated prizes to be given away in the sweepstakes.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.