ROCKINGHAM — United Way of Richmond County is “looking outside the box” for other fundraising efforts.
The organization kicked off its “Round Up!” campaign Monday, with participating businesses asking customers to round up their purchase total to the next dollar, with the proceeds going to help support its 17 partnering agencies, according to Executive Director Michelle Parrish.
There are currently 12 local businesses participating in the effort: Our Southern Roots, Gifts 4 All Seasons; Christie’s Home, Garden, Gifts; Simply Chic Boutique; J&L Distributors; Habitat for Humanity ReStore; Family Pharmacy; The Embroidery Corner; Rick & Al’s Car Wash; Merle Norman Cosmetics; the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond Gift Shop; and Jeff’s Trophies and T’s.
Parrish said she hopes to get more businesses on board.
There will also be a special “Business Blitz” on April 12, where the United Way’s Board of Directors, members of the partnering agencies and other volunteers will go to local businesses to ask for donations.
Parrish said the goal is have 50 businesses donate $100 each. Three of those businesses will be entered into a drawing the following week for radio advertising on WLWL.
According to a flyer, a $100 donation can:
- provide a safe haven and care for four domestic violence or rape victims;
- purchase 1001 pounds of food for Richmond County residents; or
- provide two nights for a family who has experienced a home fire.
These new fundraising efforts will be in addition to the United Way’s annual campaign, which gets 80 percent of its total from payroll deductions.
“It’s just easier for people to do that,” Parrish said.
Last year, the United Way collected $212,000 — far short of its $300,000 goal.
The United Way also has the capability to accept donations via PayPal.
The 17 partnering agencies that receive funds from the United Way are:
Back Pack Pals; Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts; Leak Street Alumni; Richmond County 4-H clubs; Richmond County Schools Exceptional Children; Sandhills Children’s Center; Richmond County Aging Services; Samaritan Colony; Habitat for Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills; Pee Dee Pregnancy Resource Center; Richmond County Literacy Council; American Red Cross; New Horizons Life and Family Services; Our Daily Bread; Richmond County Rescue Squad; and the Salvation Army.
