[11/14/03]The agencies that make up the United Way of West Central Mississippi will receive nearly $1.5 million raised and pledged during this year’s fund-raising campaign.

The results of the campaign, headed by Scott M. Smith, were announded Thursday night during a party attended by United Way officials and volunteers.

After hearing reports from the various campaign division chairmen, Smith told the group the local United Way will have $1,460,341 with which to fund its member agencies for 2004. There will be 23 agencies receiving funding beginning in January instead of the 25 funded this year. United Way officials were told by leaders of the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry and Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, which has operated The Bridge at Signal Hill, they were withdrawing from Warren County and would not need funding in 2004.

United Way had set a goal of $1.8 million for this year’s drive. This compares to the goal of $1.75 million goal set last year and the $1.66 million raised.

Before the grand total was announced, the amounts raised by the various divisions were announced with Smith making the announcements for Marion Roberson, Leadership chairman; and Lester Tzotzolas, chairman of the Prospect Division.

Smith said with 308 leadership gifts pledged, the Leadership Division has raised $252,431 and the Prospect Division raised $3,760.

Reporting on the Local Government Division, Chairman Nathaniel Williams said the division received pledges from state employees of $930, from Warren County employees of $5,827 and $12,152 from employees of the City of Vicksburg for a total of $18,909.

Diane Gawronski reported the Special Gifts Division pledged a total of $38,932; Kevin Cook said the Small Business Division pledged $22,005; and Kim Carr said the Professional Division pledged $25,140 for a total of $86,077 for the telemarketing campaign of the three divisions.

Jack Grogan, head of the School Division, said employees of the public, private and Catholic schools pledged $9,871 and the employee agencies of the United Way of West Central Mississippi pledged $29,068.

Commercial Division Dave Dickson reported that division raised $101,453 and Terri Ulmer said the Large Firms Division pledged $861,801.

Every year the Combined Federal Campaign also contributes to the United Way and so far this year has pledged $300,026 with the drive continuing.