It hasn’t been easy for the Chilton County United Way to meet its fundraising goals in recent years.

In 2005, disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina made it difficult for some to match their contributions of years past.

Since then, the downturn in the economy and the crippling effects of steadily rising fuel prices have caused the organization to rethink its goals.

This week, United Way Board members set their 2008-09 fundraising goal at $200,000 – a figure that is unchanged from last year’s goal, which was met but not without a lot of legwork.

“It’s a lot of hard work as it is,” said Board member Hollis Jackson during Tuesday’s meeting.

What Jackson and the others in charge of fundraising know is that Chilton County is generous when it comes to helping out its less fortunate, despite the increasing difficulty of participating.

“Here in Chilton County, we’ve been fortunate that people have been good to give to charities, and we hope that will continue,” Board chairman Curtis Smith said. “The United Way is an important organization for Chilton County because it helps so many agencies. We help some 26 agencies in the county.”

Smith expressed appreciation for those who respond to disaster and other needs through charities like the United Way.

The 2008-09 campaign kickoff is set for noon on Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Alabama Power Conference Center in Clanton. This year’s theme is “Results You Can See.”

In other business, the Board hired Charlene Veazey as secretary/bookkeeper during its Tuesday meeting. United Way’s executive director of 10 years, Gwyn Loyd, will assume the title of campaign director as of Aug. 1.