A Leader's Breakfast at Benvenue Country Club on Wednesday officially began the Rocky Mount Area United Way's fundraising year.

Rocky Mount Area United Way Executive Director Ginny Mohrbutter emphasized the impact donations to United Way make and the important role community leaders can play in making this year's fundraiser a success. The campaign slogan is "Keeping It Local: What Matters In Our Community."

Rocky Mount Mayor Fred Turnage told a large crowd of area business leaders that their presence at the breakfast was an indicator they were prepared to do their part and involve their companies to reach this year's $1.2 million campaign goal. The amount of giving is a good measure of how people care about United Way, its provider agencies and their fellow citizens, he said.

"Those of you here this morning are the key to success," Turnage said.

Turnage said he is pleased with the progress the Rocky Mount area has made since Hurricane Floyd's devastation.

"I think we have turned the corner," he said. "Our economy has picked back up.

"It has been a difficult 5-and-a-half years for United Way, and it's time to recommit ourselves to helping United Way and the community."

United Way presents one of the best opportunities to help young people and agencies that provide services, Turnage said.

"United Way can do an awful lot of good, but its leaders have to do well," he said. "It's not only how much you give but how you feel about doing it."

United Community Ministries Executive Director Chris Battle said his agency assists homeless people as a United Way agency.

"Donations to United Way go wholly to agencies in the community," Battle said. "It is a driving force for me to be a speaking partner for United Way.

"Every dollar or penny you give counts."

United Community Ministries helped more than 400 homeless people last year in the Rocky Mount area, Battle said. About 50 percent of those were children, and 159 families were provided shelter for an average of six to eight months," he said.

Battle said United Community Ministries gets about eight to 10 calls daily from homeless families. The agency is able to provide services with the help of United Way and area businesses, he said.

"We are helping to improve the quality of life for those we serve," he said. "United Way has allowed us to form a partnership to help more families and provide a helping hand rather than a handout."

Rocky Mount Area United Way President Craig Worthy said he believes United Way is getting better despite economic hardships.

"Economic change in the community has made it more difficult to raise funds," Worthy said. "We need to raise more money to meet increasing community needs."

Worthy said that through about 11,000 donors last year, United Way funded 33 programs and served 75,687 people.

"About 16,000 of those people served were outside Rocky Mount in Nash and Edgecombe counties," he said. "Now is the time for us to use our leadership skills and do our part."

Other speakers included Lynwood Roberson, executive director of the Twin Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross; Laura Thompson, executive director of the Kate & Billy Harrison Family YMCA; Brenda Lewis, a Rocky Mount Area United Way board member; Rick Isaza, Hospira site director; and Bob Boyd, Rocky Mount Area United Way campaign chairman.

Thompson said the YMCA, a United Way agency, has programs designed to build strong kids, families and communities, as well as a strong relationship with the Twin Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"United Way provides vital funding that provides alternatives to the streets for kids," she said. "We are starting a new teen after-school program this fall and provide numerous programs for seniors to improve their health."

Thompson said the YMCA, through its partnership with the Red Cross, offers lifeguard training, life-saving and aquatics programs.

Robertson pointed to the value of United Way dollars to the YMCA and Red Cross in saving the life of Buck Davis, a Rocky Mount resident who suffered a major heart attack at the YMCA and was saved by Red Cross-trained YMCA staff.

"Doctors said about one in 5,000 people who suffered a heart attack the magnitude of Mr. Davis survive," Roberson said. "The donations you give to United Way matter."

The campaign raised $1.093 million last year.