Collins Lee will be forever grateful for her experience as a loaned professional with the United Way of the CSRA.

"It makes you realize how blessed you are and how much you do take for granted," said Ms. Lee, a Publix employee who will spend three months away from her job while helping the United Way raise money to help those in need in the community.

There are seven loaned professionals who are paid by their companies to work on the campaign. During their three months, they have a variety of tasks, from making presentations at businesses to taking groups on tours of agencies to stuffing packets with fundraising materials.

United Way President La Verne Gold said loaned professionals are vital to the campaign's success.

"There are 700 companies with campaigns. That's not a task that can be taken on by our staff. We really do appreciate those professionals," she said.

This is the fourth campaign Larry Laughlin has worked on. He started while employed at Washington Savannah River Co. He's retired but continues with the campaign.

"I called the 19 agencies (funded by United Way) Augusta's best-kept secret," he said.

The 19 agencies provide an array of services for adults and children. The Salvation Army, American Red Cross of Augusta, Friendship Community Center and Boys and Girls Clubs of Augusta are among those that receive money from the United Way campaign. Last year, the organization raised more than $4.4 million. This year, no specific goal was set because campaign chairman Mark Maund said the existing needs were too great.

Ms. Gold said the organization hopes to exceed last year's amount.

Mack Thomas, who has worked at the Savannah River Site for 22 years, said he was affected by his tour of area agencies.

"I know the agencies in Aiken and Edgefield," said Mr. Thomas, who lives in South Carolina. "I didn't know much about the agencies of the United Way of the CSRA."

The most important thing he has learned, he said, is about who the United Way helps.

"It's not just poor people but anyone who finds themselves in need," he said. "Your house could burn down, and you would be in need."

The loaned professional program also benefits the companies that provide employees through the relationships those employees build, said Ms. Gold.

"They get to know people they don't normally get to. They are networking in government, the school systems, small business and banking," she said.

In the past, some companies used the loaned professional experience as management training, she said.

Often, those who go through the loaned professional program have different career opportunities open to them after their time at the United Way, she said.

The loaned professionals will finish up their United Way tasks on Nov. 9.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.