The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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August 27, 2008

Pillars are indispensable contributors to United Way

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer

By definition, a pillar is a person “who is a main support of an institution.”

For United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma, pillars are indispensable contributors who give to help make the community better.

On Tuesday, United Way honored more than 100 of its pillars at an annual banquet at Groendyke Lodge. Allen McCobb, United Way executive director, said 230 people are members of the United Way Pillars Club and lead the way for contributors each year during the fundraising campaign.

Pat and Kay Farrell said they contribute because the United Way board is local and conducts local surveys to determine community needs.

“They find a way to give a hand up, not a hand out,” said Kay Farrell.

Quoting Winston Church-ill, Farrell said, “You get a living from what you do, but you get a life from what you give.”

Todd Earl, president of NBC Bank, also is an annual United Way contributor. He said the organization is fiscally responsible and checks member agencies and meets real needs.

“The United Way does a lot of legwork for us. We are fortunate to have a good community and a good organization serving it,” he said.

The annual banquet is a way to say thank you to Pillars Club members for their support during the year, McCobb said.

United Way begins its fundraising campaign Sept. 9 with a goal of $730,000. While that is an ambitious total, McCobb said the goals have been met well the last few years.

“Even though we’ve met our goals, we always keep our fingers crossed. But the community always steps forward so well,” he said.

This year, three businesses have stepped up as Pacesetters for the campaign: Continental Resources, Dillingham Insur-ance and NBC Bank. Pacesetter companies donate each year and begin their campaigns early.

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