EXTRA MILE PROGRAM ENCOURAGES DONATIONS

BY LURAH LOWERY | BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

BRISTOL, Va. — The United Way of Bristol reported Thursday that so far this year’s fundraising campaign has raised more than $700,000 — which is nearly half of the goal.

The annual campaign began in August and the goal is $1.425 million.

Of the total raised so far, nearly $400,000 was raised during the 2014-15 pacesetter campaign.

United Way’s Extra Mile program was created in 1999 with the goal of encouraging people who were giving at the fair share level — one hour of pay per month for a year — to give more. United Way of Bristol decided to partner with local artists to provide prints to those who go the extra mile and donate one-and-a-half-hours of pay per month for a year.

This year’s print is a bear in a tree titled “Aloft” by local photographer and gallery owner Benjamin Walls. Dates will be designated when people can pick up their prints and have them signed by Walls.

This year’s campaign theme is “The Power of Caring … The Power of Us!”