(L to R): Jordan Robins, Patricia Dixon (Executive Director), and Melissa Bruce

Yet again the people of the tri-county area have proven they are willing to help those less fortunate.

The 2022 United Way of Toombs, Montgomery and Wheeler Counties fundraising campaign wrapped up Friday, and Executive Director Patricia Dixon unveiled that as o Friday, a total of nearly $477,000 had been raised, exceeding the goal announced in September. She adds that there are still monies expected to come in, and she expects the final total to be over $500,000.

“Some people don’t understand what our United Way is,” she said. “We provide funding for agencies that affect people from before birth to senior citizens. And because last year so many people were either out of work or had their hours cut because of COVID, because of United Way funds we were able to provide meals to more people that we did the year before.”

The funds raised locally are used locally and governed locally according to Dixon.

“Ninety percent of our funds stay right here in our community,” she said. “We have a local allocation committee who decides the funding and no one outside of Toombs, Montgomery or Wheeler counties can tell us how to use our money.”

Dixon added, “I just want to thank the cabinet for their hard work. They all have jobs, but they, along with the agencies, worked to raise their money. And of course, I want to thank God. We know He always provides.”

The 2022 United Way campaign was co-chaired by Melissa Bruce and Jordan Robins.