By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The United Way will look to raise more than $2.65 million in Shelby County this year, as it is planning to make a greater push to support nonprofit agencies in the county, agency leaders said during a Sept. 24 campaign kickoff event at Alabaster City Hall.

United Way Shelby County cabinet chairperson Sophie Martin, an Alabaster City Council member, announced the Shelby County campaign is looking to top last year’s fundraising total of $2.65 million, which was up significantly from the 2013 total.

“I give to United Way because I see firsthand how it benefits people right here in our community,” Martin said. “So much of that money stays right here in Shelby County.”

After fundraising, the United Way will distribute funding to its agencies, which include the American Red Cross, the Arc of Shelby County, Family Connection, Owen’s House and more.

During the kickoff event Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego, who serves on the Owen’s House board of directors, touted the impact the agency has had in the county.

Owen’s House, which was founded by former Shelby County District Attorney, provides counseling and other services to children who have been the victims of abuse. Owen’s House also works with other agencies to assist in prosecuting suspects in those abuse cases.

“It’s a much-needed agency, and we are so fortunate United Way has chosen to fund us,” Samaniego said. “To deal with children who have been abused, both physically and sexually, is a very difficult situation.”

Samaniego said one in four girls and one in six boys in Shelby County will experience some type of sexual abuse before they are 18, and said 90 percent of the suspects in the cases are known to the victims. Owen’s House handled 407 cases in 2013, and the number jumped to 977 last year.

“You can see this program is very necessary and very vital in Shelby County,” Samaniego said.

Shelby County District Attorney Jill Lee, who also serves on the Owen’s House board, said the agency also keeps child victims from “having to tell a horrible and embarrassing story over and over again.”

Lee and Samaniego said Owen’s House would not be able to offer the services it does without the United Way’s support.

“My call to action, my plea, is to ask you to go out and ask those who work with you, your friends, family and peers. Ask them to give,” said United Way annual campaign Vice President John Martin. “It’s time for us as a community to stand up and ratchet it up a level.”