Here is the story from today’s Tennessean:

Eight regional United Way organizations got together for a kickoff event for their 2008 fundraising campaign at LP Field on Tuesday, announcing a collective goal of $26.4 million.

The invitation-only event, which drew more than 400 guests, featured a performance by Nashville songwriters Mark Alan Springer, AJ Masters and Brittany Quaranto.

Ellen Leifeld, the Metro Nashville United Way campaign chairwoman, said the event marked the first time all eight organizations had held a joint event in 10 years. “The theme for this year is Live United, and living united means having no boundaries,” said Leifeld, publisher of The Tennessean.

“All of these organizations have the same vision, serve the same needs and I think it’s important that we make a statement.” The current economic climate makes United Way’s mission more relevant than ever, Leifeld said.

“Right now the economy is strained, families are hurting and organizations are all stressed,” she said. “Since more people need help, together we all need to step up.”

Rutherford and Cannon County campaign Chairman Brian Hercules said his organization had set its 2008 fundraising goal at $3 million, its “most aggressive” to date.

“We can take care of our own and we’re optimistic,” Hercules said.

“We’re stepping up to the plate.”

United Way serves 5,800 low-income seniors in Middle Tennessee, as well as needy children through Read to Succeed and other early education programs. Funds raised by the organization also provide HIV prevention education, medical case management services and tax return assistance.