United Way of Martin County kicked off its 35th annual campaign Sept. 28 with a pep rally and a salute to its founders.

The event was held at the Wolf High-Technology Center on the Chastain Campus of Indian River Community College -- the “home field” of this year’s campaign chairwoman, Patty Winterburn, IRCC provost for Martin County.

During the festivities, Ms. Winterburn announced the United Way of Martin County campaign goal for the coming year -- $2.3 million. And she also announced that Publix Super Markets has already given the campaign a healthy start.

“Getting us on the way to reaching our goal,” Ms. Winterburn said, “Publix has just concluded its drive and its employees have pledged $175,000 – that’s $22,000 more than last year.”

The announcements were cause for cheering, and youngsters from Gertrude Walden Child Care Center and music from the IRCC Rivercorps pep band led the spirit.

The event wrapped up with a pep talk from former Notre Dame and NFL football player Autry Denson. Mr. Denson related personal stories that highlighted the importance of organizations like United Way and its agency partners in the lives of young people.

“We are obligated to honor those who came before us and made it their business to care for us,” he said. “All of us are where we are today because someone else cared enough to take their time out and invest it in us.”

Mr. Denson’s words were quite appropriate on a day when United Way marked its 35th anniversary and honored the founders of United Way in Martin County, including Larry Buchanan and Ken Ferguson:

• Larry Buchanan, a founding partner of the Crary - Buchanan law firm, was the first president of United Way (then called the United Fund). He led the first board of directors, encouraging more agencies and businesses to participate. Buchanan was recently honored by the Business Development Board of Martin County with the Charlene Hoag award for community service.

• Ken Ferguson was the owner of ERK Manufacturing (which is now TurboCombustor Technologies). Mr. Ferguson was the vice president and payroll chairman of the inaugural United Fund campaign and was the campaign chair and board president in the drive’s second year. He is now business services manager at the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce.

The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce also was recognized for its leadership at the inception of the local United Way.

For more information about United Way of Martin County, call (772) 283-4800 or visit www.unitedwaymartincounty.org.