The Selma Times-Journal

As of Dec. 21, the United Way&8217;s annual fundraising campaign has reached its goal &8212; ahead of the end-of-the-year deadline.

The campaign, launched by the Day of Caring earlier this year, has so far raised $390,000, which will be distributed among the organization&8217;s 15 member agencies beginning at the first of next year.

Cothran said the United Way is going to continue the campaign until the end of the year.

Member agencies include the YMCA, SABRA Sanctuary, American Red Cross, Cahaba Center for Mental Health, the Salvation Army, Selma Area Food Bank, the Selma-Dallas Community Public Library&8217;s Literacy Program, and several others.

Kathi Needham, HealthLink director with the United Way, said the United Way has had a presence in Selma since the 1940s, and helps the young, homeless, and hungry in Selma and Dallas County.

David White, administrator with Easter SEALs, said most United Way funding goes to the Special Preschool Education Center, which White said helps anywhere from 30 to 40 children ages 3-6 who have multiple disabling conditions. The locally funded program comes second in a sequence following the Early Intervention Program, which assists children from birth to the age of 3.