Kim Cogle has been named chairman of the 2002 United Way fund-raising drive for Selma and Dallas County.

Cogle, executive director of Vaughan Community Health Services, will spearhead the drive that has a goal of $500,000 this year. This year’s campaign theme is Making Your Caring Count.

Each year thousands of Dallas County residents contribute to the United Way through payroll deduction and direct giving. Much of the money raised stays in Dallas County with 99.98 percent of proceeds raised remaining here.

Over the last two campaigns, the Williams Company gave thousands of dollars to the Selma-Dallas County United Way. The Williams Company has contributed in areas where the firm’s natural gas pipelines run.

The Williams Company is not providing any matching funds for 2002.

United Way executive director Jeff Cothran said the Williams money will be missed and local giving will be key this year. The last two years, the Williams Company provided $293,000 to the local United Way and nearly $1 million in Alabama.

The United Way gave funds to 17 agencies last year and Cogle said the funds these agencies receive directly affect the lives of local people.

The United Way fund-raising kick-off is set for mid-September. The campaign ends Dec. 31.