Staff Writer

In time for the holidays, UCARE will raffle off a wide screen notebook PC and accessories.

UCARE stands for Union County Aide & Relief Fund. It is made up of Union County employees who contribute through payroll deductions and the group also has fund-raisers throughout the year to help disadvantaged families. Their goals is to buy Christmas gifts for at least 75 children each year. In 2006, they were able to buy Christmas gifts for 77 children who might otherwise have had no presents.

This year, UCARE is selling tickets on a chance to win an Acer Aspire 14.1 inch wide screen notebook PC with a Canon all-in-one printer, D-link wireless G-Router, CA Internet Security Suite and a “soft pack” carrying case.

Tickets are $2 each or three for $5. The drawing will be held Dec. 7 at the county Christmas party. You do not need to be present to win.

Tickets are available at the office of the supervisor, auditor, treasurer and veteran's affairs; the recreation department; the Union County Airport and Stadium and at Boyce Wade's State Farm.

Lt. Robbie Hines with the sheriff's office, president of UCARE, said the money raised goes for a good cause and county employees enjoy the fund raising process.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to all the UCARE members who have been so dedicated and worked so hard to see that these kids get something for Christmas,” he said. “I would also like to extend my appreciation to (county supervisor) Donnie Betenbaugh Sue Cudd (coordinator of events for the airport and stadium) and Cindy Fore (veterans affairs officer) for everything they continue to do and to all of the volunteers who make this possible.”

Disney and Dollar General donate items to UCARE and with those items the organization is able to help the American Red Cross, DSS, Union County Senior Citizens, the Salvation Army, Union First Baptist Church (which operates a clothes closet) the Union County Pregnancy Center and others.

UCARE's last fund-raiser of the year will be a barbecue plate sale at the Union County Fairgrounds before the Union County High School home football game on Oct. 26. Plates are $6 each and will consist of barbecue, baked beans, cole slaw, roll and dessert. The barbecue will be prepared by Gen. Tommy Sinclair.

Anyone interested in donating to UCARE may call any member of Hines at 429-1612 (the sheriff's office) for more information.