The United Givers of Southwest Mississippi has kicked off its 2017 fundraising campaign, with hopes to raise $130,000 to help serve various local charities.
United Givers Executive Director Molly Johnson said the campaign began Sept. 1 and will continue through Nov. 22 — the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Johnson said United Givers helps nonprofits in Pike, Amite and Walthall counties.
Those include the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Mississippi’s Pike County and Walthall County units, St. Andrew’s Mission, the McComb Interdenominational Care Association, ARC of Southwest Mississippi, the Crisis Pregnancy Center, Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, the Guardian Center for the victims of sexual assault, Santas Helpers and Excel by 5.
To aid in fundraising, Johnson said the charity has several events throughout the year.
The charity will again have its 20 Days of Giving. Johnson said the event will happen in November and tickets are $25 a piece.
“Everyday there will be a giveaway, and one prize will be $500 in cash,” she said.
Johnson said United Givers also collaborates with businesses and schools with Quarters for Caring and Hats for United Givers.
“The kids will pay a dollar and they can wear a hat to school,” Johnson said.
In years past, United Givers has held a cook-off during the Osyka Fall Fest, but Johnson said this year the charity is doing something different.
On Oct. 19, United Givers will have Cooking for a Cause, a cooking school at St. Andrew’s Activity Center. Johnson said tickets are $75 and the school will be conducted by Viking Cooking School.
“This is a new event. We’ll try it out and see how it works,” she said.
Johnson said entertainment for the event will be Jackie Bankston, and students will get to cook and be a part of making the meal.
