Since 1985, the Chilton County United Way has raised funds to help an ever-growing number of agencies, particularly those who serve children.

The nonprofit group’s local chapter kicked off a new fundraising year on Tuesday, celebrating the 25th anniversary of its formation.

The excitement was evident in the organization’s leaders:

“The people of Chilton County are so good to give, I bet we could stand up to any county in the state,” United Way Board chairman Curtis Smith told an audience of 70-plus.

Campaign chairman Bobby Martin said he had “faith” that people could exceed this year’s $200,000 goal by at least $10,000.

“We just need the citizens of Chilton County to support us. We support a lot of people,” Martin said.

Smith added that about 75 percent of all money donated to United Way goes to support local children. In that spirit, he quoted the well-known Bible verse, Matthew 25:40: “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Donations can be made using several different methods — through employee payroll deductions, through a direct contribution, or by donating to one of several fundraisers held each year.

One of those fundraisers is the annual benefit gospel singing, which is coming up Saturday, Aug. 28 at 5 p.m. at the Central Alabama Gospel Music Barn on County Road 29. Special guests are Gene Lowery and The Samaritans, Fishers of Men, Adreane Barrington, Maddy Barrington, the Johnson Family, Anna Wilson and emcee Lloyd Nutter. Dinner will be served and desserts raffled off to benefit the United Way.

The annual United Way campaign runs through Dec. 31.

For more information, call 755-5875.