Annual Oklahoma City United Way campaign begins in early September

All Oklahomans are grateful for the sacrificial work of firefighters, laboring in intense heat to control the uncontrollable, and the police officers who helped with evacuations, directing traffic and keeping damaged property secure. We should be equally appreciative of social service agencies such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army that are on site before the smoke clears.

Many partner agencies of United Way of Central Oklahoma are involved with disaster recovery in some way. The Salvation Army and Red Cross are two of them. Another is Catholic Charities. Other United Way partner agencies assist as needed in the wake of disasters.

Last year, United Way of Central Oklahoma raised a record $22,200,701 in donations for distribution to more than 60 partner agencies. On Sept. 7 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, United Way will kick off its 2012 campaign. The fundraising goal will be announced at that time. Major employers, known in United Way parlance as “Pacesetters,” have already begun their campaigns.