United Way Kicks Off 2026 Campaign

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Community members, leaders, and supporters gathered at the Dahlia on Thursday, September 26, as the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties kicked off its 2026 Campaign and announced its fundraising goal.

This year’s campaign centers around the idea of building a community which you want to live in, as the UW

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campaign’s motto answers the question of if building such a community is possible, as it states, “Can We Build Hope? Yes We Can.”

The campaign is led by 2026 Chairman Michael Lane and Co-Chair Amanda Higgins, and will help to provide the yearly funding for several agencies within the community. The pair, alongside United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties Executive Director Patricia Dixon, revealed to the audience that this year’s fundraising goal is $510,000.

Several “pace setters” were announced at the Campaign Kickoff – these groups have pledged various amounts to help the campaign start closer to its fundraising goal. “Pace Setters” included: The Annual United Way Golf Tournament (held this past May) $18,844 Dancing For the Stars Event — $23,000 Bingo at the Dahlia $25,000 ($20,000 of which has already been raised) Altamaha Bank & Trust — $10,000 Southern Nuclear Plant Hatch — $100,000 Vidalia City Schools $10,000 Toombs County Schools — $10,000 Tumi — $8,500 Memorial Health Meadows Hospital $17,500 Trane Technologies $66,638 Dot Foods — $22,800 Because of these pledges from the “pace setters,” the campaign has already raised 61.2% of its $510,000 goal.

During the event, renowned recording artist Luther Wardlaw performed a song that he wrote specifically for the campaign, as he further emphasized the community’s ability to build hope.

Attendees were also able to hear testimonies from individuals who have been helped by the numerous agencies funded by United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties, as they thanked the community for ensuring the resource was available.

Dixon closed out the event, asking the community to serve as her eyes and ears for those in need, as she emphasized that it takes everyone to work together to make sure community members are connected with the resources which they need. United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties will continue to fundraise for the 2026 campaign throughout the month. To donate, call (912) 5370352.

YES WE CAN – Recording Artist Luther Wardlaw performs “Yes We Can,” a song which he wrote specifically for the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties’s 2026 Campaign. (Photo by Evan Riekhof)Photo by Evan Riekhof

OVER HALFWAY TO GOAL – Because of the numerous campaign “pace setters,” the 2026 United Way Campaign is already over halfway to their goal. Yet, 2026 Campaign Chair Michael Lane emphasized that every dollar still counts in the effort, and that all money spent is funneled back into helping the community.Photo by Evan Riekhof