With the official kickoff of the 2009 United Way Campaign only four days away, the United Way office is in full swing putting together the advocates and workplace coordinators to successfully meet the needs of our county. This year’s campaign need is $645,000 and as of today we are at $44,000.

The kickoff is at 7 a.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service.

The 2009 campaign has many divisions to reach and exceed the need in Freeborn County through corporate gifts, planned giving, Heart Club (individuals pledging more than $500), and the many activities planned for this year’s drive. We have already raised money through the United Way Golf Outing, Lunch on the Lawn, American Legion Corn Feed and the Land Between the Lakes Triathlon.

Upcoming events include the Hanson Tire Lube-a-thon, the annual wine tasting and silent auction, and Keep the Fires Burning.

The newest event this year is a the disc golf tournament. Disc golf is similar to regular golf only using a flying disc. Albert Lea has its own course at the entrance to Bancroft Bay Park. Many improvements were made this year with the help of Shinefest.

Our tourney will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, with rain date of Sept. 22. The entry fee is only $10 per person, or $30 per team — three-person teams. Pizza will be $5. You can sign up as a team or individually and get assigned to a team. You don’t even need to have your own discs. They will be provided if you don’t have them.

What a perfect way to learn the game, have some fun and help the less fortunate of Freeborn County.

When one of the volunteers from the United Way comes to your office, workplace or home, please take the time to distribute the materials to your employees and reflect on just how important this campaign is to Freeborn County and how we can all Live United!

Steve Merfeld of Bonnerup Funeral Service is the 2009 campaign chairman for the United Way of Freeborn County.