The United Way of West Central Mississippi, one of the largest sources of money for local non-profits, is gearing up for its 2014 fundraising campaign.

With a theme of “The Campaign Show starring The United Way,” the organization set a goal Monday of $1.3 million for the three-month fundraising campaign.

“We thought it would be a neat, festive way to approach the campaign,” said Rich Feibelman, campaign chair.

Feibelman met with Mike McMillin, who was the campaign chairman in 2013 and is the large firms giving division chairman, and the two came up with the idea of building events around the theme based on the long-running late-night talk show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

“We had some good ideas for some of the events based off skits and pieces from the show,” Feibelman said.

That theme will come into play in two weeks when the United Way hosts its annual Pacesetter campaign breakfast at the BB Club on Clay Street Aug. 1. Though the United Way is always accepting donations and volunteers, the campaign officially kicks off Aug. 29 and concludes Oct. 31.

One of the most notable departures from previous years will include an increased social media presence, which will include a Twitter stream at @campaignshow.

The goal, Feibelman said, is to expose the public more to the wide-reaching effects of the United Way and its contributions to local nonprofits.

“What we’re trying to do is show the people in the community the impact for what this will do,” he said. “It will do a good job promoting the idea.”

The theme and activities will not overshadow the purpose of the campaign though, Feibelman said.

“As important as it is to have people latch on, we’re going to make sure the message is not lost,” he said. “Participation is just as important as giving.”

In 2013, the United Way of West Central Mississippi raised about $1.2 million.

At the same meeting Monday, the United Way selected its 2014 campaign cabinet.

 

Members are:

• Rich Feibelman, campaign chair

• Mike McMillin, large firms

• Regina Prentiss, local government co-chair

• Katie Feibelman, professional chairman

• Brian Crawford, Pacesetter chairman

• Ken Hicks, commercial chairman

• Tracey Porter, local government co-chair

• Vincent Durman Jr., small business chairman

• Amy Haygood, account managers chairman

• Mark Buys, leadership chairman

• Charlotte Grant, schools chairman

• Launo Moore, special gifts chairman