The United Way of Bainbridge-Decatur County has kicked off its 2012-13 fundraising campaign, and is once again setting a fundraising goal at $65,000.

Marjorie Mayfield, the chairman of the local United Way’s board of directors, said the board decided to set the same goal it had the last two years. The campaign made the goal each of the last two years, but Mayfield admitted that the goal was just barely reached last year.

“We felt like this was a reachable goal based on how we’ve done the last few years,” she said. “Based on the number of funding requests we got, and the fact we barely made our goal last year, we felt like this was going to be the best plan.”

The non-profit organization helps organize fundrasing efforts that benefit 12 local agencies. Some citizens give bulk donations, while others choose to have a small portion of their paychecks deducted and given to the campaign.

The agencies that the United Way will help this year include: The South Georgia chapter of the American Red Cross; the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA; Decatur County Family Connection; Friends With Jesus, Inc./Friendship House; Halcyon Home, Inc.; The Laymen Brotherhood Second Chance Outreach Center, Inc.; Neighborhood Service Center; R.I.S.E. Educational Tutoring, Inc.; The Salvation Army of Bainbridge/Decatur County Service Center; The Samaritan Counseling Center of Southwest Georgia; The SOWEGA Council on Aging — Bainbridge Senior Center Meals on Wheels Services; and the Suwannee River Area Council, Boys Scouts of America.

“The agencies that we decide to fund are agencies that help a wide variety of people,” Mayfield said. “We try to make sure that we include services that help every status of person, regardless of income, gender, race, or any other factor. We try not to duplicate services and make sure that every agency meets a need in our community.”

Mayfield also pointed out that more than 80 percent of every dollar raised stays in Decatur County.

“It’s important, because over 80 cents of every dollar that we collect in Decatur County stays here to support these agencies,” she said.

The campaign period is from now until the end of November.

Anyone who is interested in finding more about the United Way, including how to contribute, can call (229) 246-9288 or visit online at www.bainbridgeunitedway.com. Gifts to the United Way are tax-deductible.