United Way raises over $1.8M

The money has been counted, the efforts have been made and the campaigning is over.

United Way Campaign Chair Richard “Buz” Browning announced Thursday night that despite the economy and hard times in the past year, the grand total of the raised funds for the United Way to distribute is $1,850,000.

“It wasn’t an easy year,” Browning said. “I’m still very, very pleased with the results.”

Through auctions, fundraising and the work of several campaign workers all of the money will be distributed to different organizations in the Odessa area.

“We have the ability to change lives in our community,” Randy Wilson, president of the board, said.

But this particular campaign wasn’t easy.

United Way members had to work with an economic down fall, people and organizations that were donating in the past on a regular basis couldn’t donate this year, or not as much.

“Our character was tested,” Dwayne Bennett, executive director, said. “This has been a very trying, a very busy campaign.”

However, overall, everything came out for the good.

“It’s about people coming together,” Bennett said.

Money raising is a year-round event for the United Way. Browning said a few other funds from donors are still being counted.

The goal for 2009 at year’s end is $2 million.