Selma is a city full of people who want to help others.

At the top of that list are the members of the United Way of Selma and Dallas County.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to sit down with executive director Jeff Cothran and talk about how his organization is preparing for their annual fall fundraising campaign.

While the campaign won’t officially begin until the middle of September, Cothran was busy Wednesday, filling envelopes and preparing to deliver them to local schools and businesses.

Once the campaign begins, Cothran will visits dozens upon dozens of area schools, businesses and organizations to explain how donations to the help strengthen this community.

Looking over the list of 15 partnering agencies that directly benefit from donations made to the United Way of Selma and Dallas County, it is clear to me the community is stronger because of this organization.

A percentage of the money raised by the local United Way this year will benefit places like the Cahaba Center for Mental Health, Bosco Food Center, Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center and SABRA Sanctuary, to name just a few.

When I asked SABRA executive director Nancy Travis how much United Way donations help her organization, I could hear in her voice how appreciative she was.

“We are so grateful to be a part of the United Way, and we thank them for including us as an agency,” Travis said. “We use the money to help with shelter needs including paying salaries, provide clothing, food and bus tickets. We really use the money to directly benefit the people who need our services.”

SABRA provides shelter and assistance to abused women and their children, and Travis said the money they receive from the United Way helps them take better care of those in need of the services SABRA can provide.

Selma is stronger because of the work done by both Cothran and Travis.

Selma is stronger for the work done at all 15 of the local agencies that will benefit from the United Way Funds.

But for all the hard work done by Cothran and the leaders of the partnering agencies, donations from the public determine the success of the fundraising campaign.

This fall, Cothran said he will meet with employees at close to 200 companies and tell them how their donations, large and small, will benefit the entire Selma community.

A successful campaign means more money can be given to local agencies this fall. And more money to those agencies means Selma and Dallas County will be stronger that before.

Selma is a beautiful place full of terrific people, and some of those people need just a little help.