By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

Chilton County United Way announced its 2018 fiscal year financial goal at its annual kickoff on Sept. 26 at the Alabama Power Company Conference Center.

With current raised funds standing at $155,000, Chilton County United Way revealed a new goal of $175,000 for the fiscal year.

“We accept cash, checks and promises,” Director Yolanda Boggs said, encouraging guests to consider further donation, including ticket purchases for the United Way car giveaway fundraiser.

Boggs emceed the event, which featured several routines performed by Thorsby varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders, door prizes, discount cards and food catered by Smokey T’s, Inc.

Representatives from agencies supported by United Way introduced themselves and thanked United Way for its impact on their organizations and the community as a whole.

Chilton County United Way provides financial assistance to about 20 local agencies, striving to “fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person” in the Chilton County community, according to the United Way website.

Chilton County Schools Superintendent Tommy Glasscock thanked United Way and presented a new goal for Chilton County Board of Education.

“On behalf of the Chilton County Board of Education…I would like to say how much we appreciate United Way. They present checks to every one of our schools, and a lot of our children benefit from what United Way does,” Glasscock said. “We’re one of your biggest cheerleaders throughout our district with about 810 employees, and so our ultimate goal is to have 810 of our employees giving something back to United Way.”

At the close of the event, the car giveaway winner was announced.

Boggs said the fundraiser had raised over $3,000 for Chilton County United Way.

Circuit Judge Bill Lewis drew the winner, who was announced to be Tiger Rabren, a 15-year-old student at Chilton County High School and grandson to Boggs.

Guests were moved by Boggs’s reaction when she expressed her surprise and delight at the winner, whom she said was hoping to win and willing to master the “straight shift.”

Upon concluding the event, Boggs picked up Rabren early from school to deliver him the news of his win and present him with his 2003 Ford Focus donated by Southern Dixie Auto Repair.