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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The United Way of Central Alabama kicked off its summer Pacesetter Campaign Thursday, setting a fundraising goal of $9.8 million, up 21 percent from last year’s goal of $8.1 million, which was exceeded. 

The Pacesetter Campaign runs through August and sets the tone for the fall fundraising campaign, which accounts for 75 percent of United Way’s campaign funds. 

Goals are evaluated each year for the campaign and participants change, but this year’s goal is very attainable, said Samuetta Nesbitt, spokeswoman for United Way of Central Alabama. 

Donors in the Pacesetter Campaign include 40 area corporations, businesses, hospitals and nonprofit organizations who will be led by loaned executives to develop campaign strategies. 

Funds generated from these campaigns go back into service projects throughout the area. 

“Dollars from last year went to the first responders and were definitely helpful” after tornadoes struck the area in April, Pacesetter Chairman Craft O’Neal said. 

After the kickoff program, United Way employees and Pacesetter Campaign participants continued their service contributions by volunteering at the Christian Service Mission, Habitat for Humanity in North Smithfield and the Pratt City Disaster Resource Center. 

“Fortunately, our community has stepped up in a big way in recovery,” O’Neal said. 

Volunteers at Christian Service Mission have dwindled lately, but they’re still averaging 150 to 200 volunteers daily, John Sardin, service mission warehouse coordinator, said.  

“It’s important to come out and see what people in the community are going through because this is our business,” said Betts Drennen, a United Way employee.  

“We need to see it firsthand so we can be a part of it,” she said. 

Pallets of supplies are stacked wall to wall throughout the service mission warehouse, awaiting distribution. 

“We get shipments in all day that have to be sorted, boxed and shipped back out to the disaster sites, and the volunteers are important for what we do,” Sardin said. 

Volunteers packed and unpacked boxes, organized and moved supplies on Thursday. 

“It warms our heart to see these companies .¤.¤. because there are people who need our help so desperately,” Drennen said.

John A. Brimley wrote this report for The Birmingham News.

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