BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Playback58@gmail.com

FRANKLIN—Anne Bryant, executive director of the Franklin-Southampton United Way, is pleased with the $117,900 raised during the organization’s recent campaign.

“We’ve had a dip and we’re starting to come back,” Bryant said. “Contributions this year were up $7,800 from the previous year’s results of $110,100.”

That’s “no surprise” because last year is when International Paper closed. Before the closing of the Franklin mill in June 2010, the campaign raised $162,000. The company’s participation was 30 percent of the drive, and included employee and company contributions.

Bryant sees this year’s increase as a sign that things are stabilizing in the community, noting that an anonymous donor gave $8,000.

“What I’ve seen is that the number of people giving again has stayed the same,” said Bryant. “Keeping loyal givers is important. There’s been strong support in the workplaces.”

Most contributors don’t give specific directions on how they want their money spent. Dollars can be sent for programs such as Western Tidewater Free Clinic, which provides free medical help to local low-income residents.

“They’re doing a great job,” said Bryant. “Twenty percent of their clients come from Franklin and Southampton, and we want to support the good work they’re doing.”

The United Way supports 26 agencies.

“There’s something for everybody,” she said.

The campaign also received $45,210 from Franklin-Southampton Charities, Camp Foundation and Camp-Younts Foundation to pay all administrative grants.

For more information about contributing, contact Bryant at 569-8929 or uw@uwfranklinsouthampton.org.

View the original article from the Tidewater News.