Bryan County United way has started its 2012-2013 fundraising campaign. The campaign is a general fundraising campaign designed to make the community aware of who the United Way is, how it works and how to give.

The United Way is an agency that supports local nonprofit organizations through fundraising and volunteer help.

All funds donated to the Bryan County United Way go to fund local nonprofit agencies, so all funds stay in the Bryan County community.

“Bryan County United Way mobilizes the caring power of Bryan County citizens to help Bryan County citizens in need,” said Agency Director Pamela Robinson.

According to Robinson, each organization Bryan County United Way helps is held accountable for every penny it uses. Accountability insures that all money donated is used to its full potential.

Each agency has a specific project or need that the money is to go toward. Proof of how the money is spent is given to the Bryan County United Way.

The Bryan County United Way supports 15 local agencies including Meals on Wheels, Big 5 Transportation Services and the Bryan County Youth Services.

President of the Bryan County United Way, Pat Suman, said there is a growing need from the elderly and at-risk population of our community and the organization critically needs funds this year.

Suman was involved with Families Feeding Families before getting on the board with the United Way. He said that giving to others makes you feel better.

“When my kids get depressed, I tell them to go give of themselves until they feel better” said Suman. He said his children consistently tell him that it works.

There are different ways to give to the Bryan County United Way.

Robinson said that citizens can donate directly by bringing money to the United Way office on Main Street Durant or by mailing donations to Bryan County United Way P.O. Box 192 Durant, Oklahoma 74702.

Citizens can also donate through their companies with payroll deductions sent to the Bryan County United Way.

Many companies in the area participate and encourage their employees to give to the organization. Suman said that the local business leaders are his daily heroes and that they give to the organization quietly and consistently.

“Major employers including city government, Southeastern, MCSO, and Durant Schools, our civic organizations plus every industrial employer do a great deal making this effort successful,” said Suman.

“Durant is a very giving community,” said Suman.

“It takes work to find organizations that are legitimate and stretch your dollar. He said that the United Way helps by easing the work it takes to find organizations to give to.

For more information on how to donate to the Brayn County United Way, citizens can contact the organization at 580-931-7147.

Look for features on each of the agencies supported by the Bryan County United Way in the Sunday editions of the Durant Daily Democrat.