The annual United Way campaign kicked off on Thursday at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library, but unofficially the campaign has been going on for awhile.

Local United Way Director Jeff Cothran said that 17 percent of this year’s goal of $500,000 has already been met.

Kim Cogle serves as this year’s campaign chairman. Robb Reeves, publisher of The Selma Times-Journal, is campaign co-chair.

United Way is normally conducted through the workplace. Volunteers go around and encourage employees to donate to United Way through a payroll deduction plan.

Cothran said that even as little as $3 or $4 per paycheck can add up to a lot when everyone participates.

United Way also mails out pledge cards to people to encourage donations.

If someone wishes to donate to United Way and there is no program set up through their workplace, they can give to the organization directly.

Last year, United Way raised around $575,000 locally. This was due in part to a grant by the Williams Company, which matched a certain amount of pledges to United Way. The company ended up donating more than $100,000.

This year the company isn’t involved. But Cothran said he is confident that Selma can raise $500,000 on its own.

On the national level, United Way raised an all-time high $3.91 billion in 2000-2001. There are more than 1,400 community-based United Way organizations across the country, including the one in Selma-Dallas County.

The campaign officially ends December 31.

Those interested in donating to United Way or in setting up a workplace campaign so that employees can donate may contact the local United Way office at 874-8383.