SUMMERDALE - Six years to the day after the 9/11 attacks, a stunning series of events that remain indelible reminders of how fragile human life can be, United Way of Baldwin County held its Campaign Kickoff Luncheon and unfurled a banner with UWBC's 2008 Campaign goal. The first ever and largest ever for UWBC, which, just recently, brought South Baldwin and North Baldwin components together under a single banner of its own.

The goal is $1,037,500 for the county.

But the emphasis for the Kickoff held at the Baldwin EMC Training Center wasn't on human frailty but strength - in particular the "Power of One."

Ted Hendry, executive director of the United Way of Greenville, S.C., was the event's guest speaker.

Hendry, tying in the events of Sept. 11, 2001, noted the national tragedy in essence produced "one nation, one people, one soul." Now, with "one" United Way serving "one" community through "one" goal" in Baldwin County, Hendry noted that people together are stronger than they could ever be standing alone.

"Your collective compassion and commitment will enable you to accomplish things never thought possible," he said in his address.

Others on hand for Tuesday's Kickoff Campaign Luncheon were David Sutley and Myron Brogden, 2007 Campaign co-chairmen; Brenda Lee, president of UWBC; Tim Wilson, chairman of UWBC's board; and Aubury Fuller, Baldwin EMC trustee, who prayed the invocation.

"I think reaching the (Campaign) goal should be easier with us working together," said Brenda Lee in comments prior to the Kickoff. Her reference was to the "uniting" of the United Ways this year.

It was a point made by Hendry in his keynote address: "One United Way will enable your community to achieve great things. The synergy created by a countywide effort - focused on one purpose, to improve lives and create lasting change - will be powerful."