Nearly 50 people shouted “Live United” at the kick off of the 2012 United Way Fundraising Campaign on Thursday at the Imperial Centre for Arts and Science.

“There are lots of great things in store for this year’s campaign,” said Chris Miller, United Way board chairwoman and Rocky Mount councilwoman.

Miller said highlighting the connection to others is the focus of this year’s theme: “Live United - Keep the Tar River Region Flowing.”

Rosella Campbell, 16, spoke to the crowd about how the United Way’s support of the Boys & Girls Club of Nash/Edgecombe Counties helped her to overcome poverty and violence. She said she now is on the honor roll and plans to attend college to study computer technology.

“I want to thank everyone who donates to the United Way for helping people like me,” Campbell said.

The organization hopes to raise $1.2 million locally through donations from individuals, businesses and organizations. Efforts such as the Snapshots of Success display — which highlights the stories of Campbell and others — will raise awareness about United Way efforts while the Car Share Challenge hopefully will encourage people to give more, United Way Executive Director Ginny Mohrbutter said.

Neill and Lisa Nelson of Davenport Autopark will act as the community spokespersons for the United Way as the campaign leaders in Nash County while Phillip Lowe of Piedmont Natural Gas will be the Edgecombe County campaign leader.

“We look forward to announcing victory in a few months,” Lowe said. “We are dependant on you to keeping the Tar River region flowing and remember to ‘Live United.’”

The campaign runs until mid-December.

“This year and every year we are working to address our local needs and to encourage quality of life for our local residents,” Mohrbutter said. “United Way is about local funding and we know the needs in our community are great. We want to be part of the solution, part of the collective effort to help our local citizens in any way we can.”

To learn more, call 937-2213 or go to www.unitedwaytrr.org.

Click here to view more photos from the event.