DeKalb kicked off September with a declaration: this is United Way month.

The promotion began Sept. 5 in hopes of raising awareness of local charities.

“September is the month we kick off our charitable campaign,” said Dawn Littlefield, executive director of the DeKalb United Way.

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The United Way serves 24 different agencies in DeKalb. Among these agencies are homeless shelters, child-care shelters and domestic violence programs.

The primary function of the United Way, Littlefield said, is to raise money for the agencies.

The United Way also serves as an advocate for smaller charities as a resource and referral.

The DeKalb chapter, in conjunction with Borders Books & Music, 2520 Sycamore Road, is holding a promotion called “Borders Benefit Days” from Sept. 27 to 29, Littlefield said.

If you present a special DeKalb United Way voucher, 15 percent of your purchase will be donated to the organization.

“We still have local needs,” said Jerry Carter, president of DeKalb United Way. “We’re trying to get people who gave last year to bring it back to people around here.”

Carter explained that though the amount of donations made following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, was the same as usual, people gave to those relief funds and not as much locally.

“I think we are much better as far as getting money donated back into the community than other United Way agencies,” Carter said.

Now Carter wants people to bring donations back to the community.

According to a United Way pamphlet, “many charities help people, but when you give to DeKalb United Way and Sycamore United Fund, you’re doing more than touching the lives of local people in need. You’re investing in the partnership that’s thrived here for over 70 years – a partnership that is you, your neighbor, your company.”

The United Way donation vouchers are available at JCPenney, DeKalb Park District, Orchid Cleaners, Eagle Foods, Ecowater, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and Bonnie’s Hallmark, or by calling DeKalb United Way at 756-7522.