A new era in United Way has dawned in Baldwin County with North Baldwin United Way and South Baldwin United Way combining to form United Way of Baldwin County.

"It seemed like a natural progression to unite the two United Ways," said Tom Lee, marketing and communications director for United Way Baldwin County.

"We already have so much in common, so many agencies that are the same, and we do the same work."

According to Tom, four years ago North Baldwin United Way approached South Baldwin United Way about overseeing the former's administrative work. They agreed, and that contract is up this year. Thus, the timing was right for the two United Ways to unite, he said.

United Way of Baldwin County President Brenda Lee said a committee made up of North and South Baldwin United Way representatives did a "phenomenal job" of looking at the pros and cons of the unification process. In the end both boards were unanimous in the decision to unite.

The committee consisted of Leon Hill, Tom Byrne and Tim Wilson of South Baldwin and Myron Brogden, Judge Jody Wise Campbell and David Conner of North Baldwin. Wilson, chairman of the board of South Baldwin United Way, will be the first president of United Way of Baldwin County. Campbell served as chairman of the board of North Baldwin United Way.

"It's an honor to be the first president of United Way of Baldwin County," said Tim Wilson.

"We're going to follow the lead of those who have gone before us and continue the tradition of caring in Baldwin County."

North Baldwin United Way began in 1955 with a campaign goal of approximately $15,900 going to 11 agencies. South Baldwin United Way began the following year with a campaign goal of $15,000 for eight agencies.

The first ever campaign goal for United Way of Baldwin County will be announced Sept. 11 at the campaign kickoff, Brenda said.

"People who will benefit most are the people who need help," Brenda said of the two United Ways coming together, although she admits short-term a lot of work will be involved.

"It's the right thing to do. Hopefully, by pulling our strengths together there will be more funding for the agencies and less needed for administration," said Brenda, who came to South Baldwin United Way as executive director in 1985.

She was quick to point out that no agencies currently funded by North Baldwin or South Baldwin would be dropped or have their funding cut as a result of the unification process.

"I'm excited that we'll be working together," said Carla White, North Baldwin United Way coordinator. "We've had a good relationship that's tried and true."

White has been with United Way for two years, since Hurricane Ivan and Katrina.

"There's not a separation between us anymore," said Tom, noting that the United Way of Baldwin County central office will stay in Foley and a satellite office will be in Bay Minette with an employee working out of it.

"The people of Baldwin County will have one agency to concentrate on," he said. "You're helping everybody in the county; one group, one goal, one focus."

"We want to help you because you're in Baldwin County," said Brenda of those who benefit from agencies funded by United Way of Baldwin County. "Now, there won't be any splitting of the county."

One positive aspect of being unified in Brenda's opinion regards social services. "We need to have agencies open everyday," she said.

Another aspect is that standards now employed to govern the country's 1,300 United Ways have changed and gotten more strenuous.

"It was difficult for somebody part-time to go to the various schools to learn. It's a full-time endeavor now as laws and requirements change," she said.