Upward fundraising trends indicate that Hopkinsville city employees are dedicating more than their careers to the public. In 2010, they gave $30,314 to community charities, 79 percent more than was donated two years ago.

The United Way of the Pennyrile point person for city government, Budget Officer Melissa Sellers, gives her coworkers a lot of credit.

“They serve their community each day,” Sellers said, “And at the end of that day, they are willing to dig deep in their pockets and give again to United Way so that agencies can continue their work.”

These increases in government giving are helping propel the United Way’s annual campaign to its goal of $726,300. Last week, United Way board members announced that so far they’ve raised nearly $400,000.

Proceeds will be distributed to 25 charities across Christian, Trigg, Todd and Caldwell counties. The list of beneficiaries (available at www.uwpennyrile.org) includes such agencies as American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club, Kentucky Legal Aid and Widowed Persons Service.

Sellers said every city department has rallied to these causes. One hundred percent of employees in administrative offices and 84 percent in public works have given financially.

The police and fire departments, which make up about 2/3 of the city’s payroll, both beat prior years’ fundraising by a wide margin. With $9,717, HPD increased its giving 19 percent. HFD employees pitched in $10,398, about a third more than last year’s total.

Police Chief Guy Howie explained that the high level of giving among his officers is a natural outcome of their work. Daily, policemen and women come in contact with citizens in dire straits.

“When they see people in down-and-out conditions, they look for other ways to help,” Howie said.

Given the state of the economy and the 67 percent increase in city employee giving last year, Sellers set her hopes for this year’s campaign modestly. Perhaps a three percent increase was reasonable to expect, she told herself.

But the gifts just kept coming. When Sellers counted up contributions, she saw the overall increase was 12 percent. Just as encouraging, the percentage of employees participating in the campaign improved from 64 to 70 percent.

“Our goals were most certainly surpassed,” Sellers said.

Seventy-seven employees preferred to pay through the “care share”, in which one hour’s worth of pay is redirected from their paycheck every month. Seven employees did double care share, and another quadruple.

Fourteen employees gave more than $500, qualifying them for the John C. Latham Leadership Giving Society.

Members of the community are encouraged to continue to join in the city’s efforts by supporting upcoming United Way events:

• Sunday, October 31: Celebrity servers at dot’s restaurant from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Join us for lunch served by community leaders. A percentage of the afternoon’s proceeds will be donated to United Way.

• Thursday, November 4: 1^st ever United Way Telethon at War Memorial Building from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Celebrity music videos and agency video profiles to debut. Telethon also features a 50s Rockin Sweet Shop and silent auction. Hosted by NewsChannel 5’s Amy Watson and Source 16’s David Bryant. Broadcasting live on local radio stations and City TV 12 and Source 16.

• Saturday, November 13: Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s from 7:30 until 9:30 a.m. $6 tickets are available from any Campaign Cabinet member or from the United Way office. $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to United Way.

For further details about the United Way of the Pennyrile’s 2011 Annual Campaign and how you can “Give Like a Rock Star,” contact Nikki Radford at (270) 890-0215 or (270) 484-0985.