Next week is a big week for the Chilton County United Way.

On Tuesday, the organization will kick off its 2010-2011 fundraising campaign, and on Saturday, Aug. 28, the Central Alabama Gospel Music Barn will host its annual benefit singing.
The kickoff will take place at the Alabama Power Conference Center in Clanton at noon.

“We want to recognize all our agencies that we assist each year,” said United Way Board chairman Curtis Smith. “We hope we’ll have a successful day to get our campaign kicked off for 2010-2011.”

United Way has set its goal at $200,000, an amount which was exceeded for the 2009-2010 campaign. Smith was optimistic that, with the help of local schools, businesses, churches, organizations and individuals, the group can do it again this year.

“We were able to give a 5-percent increase to all our agencies (this year),” he added.

This year’s theme will be “Touch a Life: One Person at a Time.” The cast of Chilton County High School’s “Blast from the Past” will provide entertainment during the kickoff luncheon. The group is sponsored by Sheri McKee.

“We appreciate Blast from the Past,” Smith said. “They have done our entertainment for several years.”

The Aug. 28 benefit gospel singing will take place at the Central Alabama Gospel Music Barn located on County Road 29 between Thorsby and Jemison. On stage will be The Samaritans, Fishers of Men, Adreane Barrington, Maddy Barrington, the Johnson Family, Anna Wilson and emcee Lloyd Nutter.

Cakes and pies furnished by the United Way Board will be auctioned off. All proceeds benefit United Way.

“It’s very important that folks take interest in our United Way and volunteer to help us,” said campaign chairman Bobby Martin. “We need volunteers. It takes the effort of a lot of people to obtain the goal of $200,000.”

For more information, call the United Way office at 755-5875.