Wednesday, August 28, 2002

Marie Barnes visits SRMC for United Way kickoff

First Lady Marie Barnes, children from Southern Regional Health System's (SRHS) Child Care Center and more than 100 Clayton County citizens and community leaders helped get the 2002 United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta/Clayton County Campaign Kickoff up and running last week at Southern Regional Medical Center Women's Life Center.

This year's theme is "Spread the GELI," since the Georgia Early Learning Initiative (GELI) is featured. The South Metro Microenterprise Coalition (SMMC), which promotes economic self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship, is also being highlighted. Mrs. Barnes read classic children's tales to the children from SRHS' Child Care Center.

"I volunteer for United Way because I believe in it. I live in Clayton County and see the good things that are happening and I want to do my part," said Dorothy Cochran, the 2002 Campaign Cabinet Chair.

More than 25 Clayton County programs and organizations will benefit from the monies raised locally. In addition, groups that use and administer life saving and supporting work, such as Securus House and Families First, will have access to more than $2.1 million that will be invested in the county.

"I'm like most people here, I love my community, work hard and have a family. United Way is special because it's the only organization of its kind bringing individuals, organizations and businesses together toward a common goal - community safety. Everyone wants to feel safe at home and at work and that's why I support United Way," Cochran said.

For nearly 87 years, United Way has focused its resources on helping people help themselves.

Southern Regional Health System provides comprehensive health resources including: Southern Regional Medical Center, a 406-bed, full-service hospital in Riverdale featuring a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, a women's center, a Diabetes Resource Center and one of the busiest and best emergency departments in the state; RiverWoods, Southern Regional Psychiatric Center, a psychiatric facility with a complete continuum of behavioral care services; Southern Regional Homecare, a home health agency providing home health services and the Surgery Center at Mt. Zion, a multi-specialty surgery center in Morrow.