United Way of West Alabama kicks off drive to raise $4.3 million with record crowd turnout

The United Way of West Alabama on Tuesday kicked off its 2022 campaign drive with a fundraising goal set at more than $4 million.

United Way announced a fundraising goal of $4,375,000 at the annual campaign kickoff luncheon. This year's event was held at the Bryant Conference Center on the University of Alabama campus.

This marked the first time in three years the campaign kickoff event was held in person. In the last two years, the campaign kickoff was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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"It was so great to get together for the first time in three years with a record crowd to celebrate all the generosity of our community," said Jackie Wuska, United Way CEO and president.

Last year, the organization exceeded its campaign goal of $4,175,000 and broke the United Way's record-high campaign total set in 2019 during Tuscaloosa’s bicentennial. Exceeding its 2021 fundraising goal was important since the organization failed to meet its 2020 goal because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way officials said.

In the past, United Way officials said the campaign money is used to address critical health, education and income stability needs throughout West Alabama.

Wuska said the United Way of West Alabama increased this year's goal to support the growing need in the community.

"And so in anticipation of the great need that ... everybody's having, we increased our goal more and we know it's going to be hard, but we're hoping everybody can do something to make a difference, especially since we're adding four new agencies to help with the need," Wuska said.

The United Way has had 26 partner agencies since 2008. The new agencies will bring that total to 30. Wuska said the decision to add more agencies was made to help support the increased need in the community.

The new agencies include the Tuscaloosa Safe Center, Catholic Social Services of West Alabama, Theo Ratliff Center and the Children of the Village Network.

Jheovanny Gomez, the 2022 campaign chairman,  said he is optimistic that the United Way will reach its campaign goal of $4.3 million.

"We live in such a great community...that always responds in times of need. There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to reach it," said Gomez, who helped begin the Jalapeños Mexican Grill chain of restaurants more than 20 years ago.

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Gomez said the organization will reach its goal by reaching out to various organizations or businesses in the community.

Gomez leads the 41-member United Way campaign cabinet. The cabinet set the annual campaign goal and will now identify funding sources and build relationships with community leaders and corporate donors to garner the financial support for the United Way’s partner agencies across West Alabama.

The United Way of West Alabama hopes to reach its campaign goal quickly, Gomez said.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: United Way of West Alabama kicks off campaign to raise $4.3 million