The 2008 United Way of Madison County’s fall campaign kicks off today and the organization has $1 million in its sight. It will take a community determined to work together and help each other out to reach such a goal. We have no doubt it can be done.

The theme of this year’s campaign is LIVE UNITED, and it calls on the whole community to advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life.

It’s especially important for this coming together this year because the economy is not as robust as in the past. Those who are served by United Way, however, continue to need the services and help of the 21 agencies who receive United Way funding.

In the past, members of the United Auto Workers locals and salaried workers at the various General Motors plants gave generously to United Way and helped the organization reach or exceed its annual goal. Now it takes more people and businesses working in concert to raise those dollars.

Today’s kickoff will be at the Anderson Country Club with many special guests, but the core of United Way remains volunteers, which is one of three calls to action, the other two being give and advocate. The calls encourage people of all walks of life in Madison County to take an interest in helping their fellow citizens.

Through United Way programs, recipients begin to build better lives through better health and education. The programs in the 21 agencies are designed to make maximum use of United Way dollars and be of maximum use to those who need the programs.

It’s not easy to have such lofty goals in today’s economy, but those at United Way have seen Madison County residents come through again and again, and this year, though it’s tough, should be no different. The money and the programs it funds are extremely important to the community, too important to be ignored.

So please give to the United Way. Let Madison County residents know that people care enough to share what they have to make the community healthier and better educated.

The campaign ends in October but donations will be taken until December. With $1 million in funds, the United Way will be set to provide needed help in 2009. Give generously.