Tonight peewee football teams around the county will kick off their 2009 seasons.

And, there will be a kickoff of another kind at Cattleman Park, where the Pike County United Way will kick off its 2010 fundraising season.

“This is a busy time of year but we hope to have a good crowd and a strong showing of support for our fundraising campaign and the 17 local agencies that are served by the Pike County United Way,” said Tonya Gibson, executive director. “The United Way agencies that we serve are vital to Pike County so it’s important that we pull together and work together in support of these agencies.”

The 17 local agencies that are served by the Pike County United Way include the Troy United Women’s League, which is coordinating the silent auction for the event, Big Brothers Big Sisters, RSVP, Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center, 4-H Clubs, Colley Senior Complex, East Central Mental Health, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, House of Ruth, Easter Seals, American Red Cross, Humane Society of Pike County and the Women’s Life Center. The Pioneer Museum of Alabama and OCAP have been added to the agencies served by the United Way campaign and will begin receiving funds from the 2010 campaign.

“The United Way agencies serve people of all ages and this year we are honoring a team of eight-year-old, pre-minor baseball players who exemplify the best in serving others,” Gibson said. “The young boys raised more than $6,000 to help build a Miracle Field here in Troy so that those with disabilities can participate in athletic competitions.

“These young boys raised money for the Miracle Field by getting sponsors for each hit the team got during the tournament season. The end result of winning the game was not the most important thing for them. Helping others, one hit at the time, was what was most important.”

Gibson said adults can learn a lot from the young baseball players.

“We need to take the view of these children and continue to raise money, one dollar at time, for these agencies that are so important to our community,” she said. “With the way the economy is, every dollar is so important. Every agency has a direct effect on Pike County. Every agency.”

The Pike County United Way campaign will feature entertainment, refreshments and opportunities to learn about the agencies that are making a difference in Pike County. The silent auction will include condo vacations, restaurant dinners and a variety of miscellaneous items. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and one-dollar donations for the drawing will be available at the kickoff.