United Way is marking its 35th year in Martin County, observing the milestone with a nod to its founders and the business community.

In June of 1972, a group of concerned business leaders gathered to coordinate the first drive for what was then called the United Fund. The drive was conducted Jan. 15-31, 1973, with a goal of $60,000.

Then, as now, United Fund leaders promoted payroll deduction as a convenient way for employees to support the charitable work of the organizations providing services in our community.

Among the first companies to make payroll deductions available to their employees were Southern Bell, FPL and Grumman. The City of Stuart, the Martin County School District and the Martin County government also agreed to participate in payroll deduction.

As of Feb. 8, 1973, the drive had collected $25,578, with most of the contributions coming from door-to-door solicitations and mailed-in contributions. The total also included $6,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Evinrude.

United Fund leaders were concerned with the lack of response from the business community, so they met with the Stuart Chamber of Commerce to solicit its support in encouraging businesses to participate in the United Fund.

It made a difference, as the drive topped $40,000 within a month.

The core group of members for that first drive were Larry Buchanan, Richard Cranz, Steven Fraiser, Ken Ferguson, Ray Navitsky, Gilbert Miller, Jack Noble, Guy Cromwell, Ed Strickland and Ed Glasscock.

Two of those individuals will be honored at the United Way morning kickoff event on Sept. 28 at IRCC’s Chastain Campus on Salerno Road in Stuart:

• Larry Buchanan of the law firm Crary ~ Buchanan, who was the first United Fund president.

• Ken Ferguson, who at the time was the owner of ERK Manufacturing, which he sold in 1980 and the company became what is presently TurboCombustor Technologies. Mr. Ferguson was the vice president and payroll chairman of the inaugural United Fund campaign. He is now business services manager for the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce.

The Stuart/Martin County Chamber also will be recognized for its leadership.

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