United Way of West Alabama Sets $4.65 Million Capital Campaign Goal

An organization crucial to funding nonprofits in the Tuscaloosa area set a lofty fundraising goal during a packed kickoff event at the Bryant Conference Center Tuesday.

The United Way of West Alabama raises millions each year, then provides that money to more than 30 local agencies so they don't have to worry as much about collecting capital and can instead focus on the critical services they provide.

These agencies include Temporary Emergency Services, Boys & Girls Club of West Alabama, Easter Seals of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa’s One Place and dozens more - the backbones of charity work in the community.

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On Tuesday, new campaign chair Brock Jones was joined by the Million Dollar Band, Big Al and many others in a jubilant kickoff campaign where the United Way announced they are seeking to raise 4,650,000 this year.

"You never know when you may need United Way, but it's good to know where there when you need us," Jones said, shouting out the time last year when some residents of Bibb and Sumter Counties were issued water boil alerts over unsafe drinking water.

The UWWA jumped into action, and with Chris Gunter at Buffalo Rock, got 50,000 bottles of water to those communities.

Calling the United Way "the friend you didn't know until you really needed it," Jones said their impact was huge.

"Chances are you know someone who has benefitted from these programs because United Way and our partner agencies impact one in four West Alabamaians," Jones said. "That's one out of four lives improved through your support."

UWWA President and CEO Jackie Wuska said she understands times are tight across the board in a rough economy. Still, she asked the hundreds who attended the event to consider how much tighter that makes things for people who were already struggling.

The needs of their partner agencies have only risen, so the goal set Tuesday is an all-time high for the organization.

To learn more about UWWA and this capital campaign and to consider donating, check out their page here.