It&8217;s a simple concept: Give at home. We work so hard in the Miss-Lou to encourage people to invest in their community by shopping at home, but it is just as important to give to hometown charities as well.

And one of the best ways I know is to give to United Way, which acts as an umbrella organization for 21 agencies in Adams County and Concordia Parish.

Next month, United Way will kick off its annual fund-raising campaign. We will be mailing letters and making visits to businesses to encourage participation in the campaign.

This year our goal is high: $400,000. Why set such a goal?

That&8217;s what our agencies need. For the past few years they have not been funded at the level they need, and some have had to make choices about just what they believe is essential to survive.

It is more important than ever to give.

United Way, like many organizations and businesses, has been hurt by job losses and industry closings.

This week The Democrat is taking a look at what has happened in our community since International Paper closed its doors last July.

I was struck after interviewing former IP employee Nancy Eidt how important it was for her &8212; and for many former mill workers &8212; to continue to shop at home. Eidt and others know what it means to give back to their hometown.

Beyond the impact on former employees and the economy, the closure has hurt local charities &8212; many of whom fall under the umbrella of the United Way.

United Way provides funding for a variety of agencies throughout the Miss-Lou &8212; agencies that help feed and clothe the needy; that shelter abused women and children; that provide after-school and summer activities. Few people are not touched by one of the agencies United Way serves.

This year your dollars will go to help these organizations and agencies:

4Adams County 4-H

4Adams County CASA

4Adams County Youth Court

4American Red Cross, Adams County

4American Red Cross, Central Louisiana

4Associated Charities

4Boy Scouts, Andrew Jackson Council

4Boy Scouts, Louisiana Purchase Council

4Catholic Charities

4Concordia 4-H

4Concordia Council on Aging

4Girl Scouts, Middle Mississippi

4Guardian Sexual Assault Center

4Guardian Shelter

4Natchez Adams Council on Aging

4Natchez Adams Habitat for Humanity

4Natchez Adams Humane Society

4Natchez Dixie Youth

4Pleasant Acres Day School

4Salvation Army

4T.M. Jennings Little League.

I urge all of you to consider giving what you can to help us this year. It is an investment not only in these agencies but in our entire community.

Kerry Whipple

is editor of The Democrat and chairman of the United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou&8217;s fund-raising campaign. She can be reached at 601-445-3541 or by e-mail at

kerry.whipple@natchezdemocrat.com

.