CONTRIBUTED

George W. Little, president of George W. Little and Associates, and his wife, Wanda, have been named 2012 fundraising campaign chairs by the United Way of Moore County.

The annual fundraising campaign, which supports 20 local health and human service organizations and annually helps more than 35,000 people in the county, officially kicked off in September.

George Little has a long history with the United Way of Moore County and was instrumental in the early days of the organization's establishment since 1969. He also served on the United Way board of directors from 2002 to 2005.

"We feel very honored to be serving as campaign chairs for this year's United Way campaign," the couple said in a news release. "The United Way does a tremendous job in assisting its various agencies with needed funds that affect many of our citizens. We want to urge the citizens of Moore County to support this year's campaign."

Wanda Little was born in Kentucky, where she spent the majority of her early years. After graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with bachelor's and master's degrees in education, she moved to North Carolina in 1977, where she continued her teaching career.

She retired from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system in 2001. She moved to Southern Pines in 2003. She presently is on the Public Education Foundation of Moore County, Christian Women Connection, is president of the Women's Golf Association at National Golf Club, and was recently elected deacon at the First Baptist Church of Southern Pines.

George Little is a Moore County native and has a host of awards and recognitions. He has served as chairman of the board of trustees of Sandhills Community College since 1985 and is a former chairman of the N.C. Association of Community College Trustees' Legislative Committee. He also serves on the board of directors for the Sandhills Community College Foundation and Partners in Progress, and the board of trustees for Western Carolina University.

The Littles live in National Golf Club and have five children between them and seven grandchildren.

"We are excited about this opportunity to campaign alongside George and Wanda," said United Way Executive Director Linda Pearson. "This year and last year we were fortunate to have advocating for our mission a couple who have deep roots with United Way."

The United Way of Moore County provides grants to 20 local nonprofit organizations in the community that assist residents with education enhancement, financial stability, medical services and crisis support.

The United Way also provides the 211 information and referral service for the community, with support from FirstHealth of the Carolinas, St. Joseph of the Pines, Boles Funeral Home and Crem-atory, Progress Energy, Sandhills Rotary Foundation, First Bank and The Pilot.