Each year, the United Way of Central Georgia gives area residents the opportunity to give to local programs through their annual campaign.

The program allows what local representative Sandy Baxter calls a painless donation from pre-tax earnings through payroll deductions at work.

“Businesses give their employees the opportunity to contribute and it all adds up,” Baxter said.

With the national economy in a slump, the need is greater than ever, Baxter said. The resources are taxed more than normal and charitable giving can take a hit. It’s times like these, Baxter said, when those donations mean the most.

Locally, United Way contributions are collected from donors — some through the annual campaign — and a local committee made up of Baldwin County volunteers, decide where to send the money.

“To me one of the neatest things about the United Way is that we have local volunteers from Baldwin County who meet and decide where the assistance goes,” Baxter said.

Although Baxter’s territory covers Baldwin, Putnam, Hancock, Washington and Wilkinson counties, Baldwin County agencies receive the largest portion of the funds due to the area’s population. It works out, Baxter said, because many Baldwin County agencies perform work in surrounding counties as well.

“United Way is there to help in three main categories,” she said,” They include education, income and health.”

Baxter said the United Way helps agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Boys & Girls Club. They also coordinate and provide books for pre-school children.

The United Way has provided 7,195 services to Baldwin County and has distributed $200,456 in the past year.

The 2009 United Way Oconee Campaign Cabinet consists of Chairman Keith Barlow, Lyn Chandler, Erin Simmons, Jim Fain, Greg Tyson, Laura Thompson, Maggie Stalnaker, Marcus Lillard, Jason Miller, Mark Hulett, Ron Weigle II, Sam Mudano, Sharon Seymour, Terry McGee and Tommy Jefferson.