THOMASVILLE — The United Way of Thomas County is ready to kick off its annual fundraising campaign.

The United Way will hold its kickoff August 22, with former University of Georgia quarterback and head football coach Ray Goff as the keynote speaker. Goff, a Moultrie native, is now a successful Athens businessman.

“He’s quite entertaining,” said Gene McNease, president of the United Way of Thomas County.

With the college football season looming, Goff also is expected to talk about his alma mater, fresh off a Southeastern Conference championship and its first appearance in the College Football Playoff.

“He’ll talk to us on what Georgia is doing and the momentum they have going,” McNease said.

For the United Way, the event is a launching pad for the annual campaign, McNease added. The United Way will raise its goal from last year’s $228,000.

“We want to make sure we get off with a good bump,” McNease said. “We want to keep up the good momentum we’ve had the last couple of years. We’re on a roll.”

McNease praised the sponsors for the United Way and said they want to make the kickoff event fun for them.  “They are so faithful to us,” he said. “We try to bring in someone who will entertain.”

The United Way’s efforts fund agencies across the community.

“All our agencies depend on us to raise these funds because their budgets are dependent on contributions from the United Way,” McNease said. “There is no other agency in the fundraising business that touches so many lives, adults, children, all levels of socioeconomic standing.”

For instance, he said, United Way contributions help the local YMCA provide service to children whose parents cannot pick them up from Y programs.

“It’s real service in many areas,” McNease said.

The United Way of Thomas County also is taking on fundraising for Grady County as well. Many of the agencies the United Way supports cross county lines.

“The agencies we support work in Thomas and Grady counties, Brooks and Mitchell,” McNease said. “The Thomas-Grady Service Center is one of the best examples.

“I don’t know of any other agency that touches as many lives.” 

Reservations for the event are being taken and there is a cut-off. For more information, call the United Way at (229) 228-0560.

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.