The Liebert Corporation parking lot Saturday morning may have looked a bit like a small circus.

A big, brightly colored tent sheltered attendees from the heat, an inflatable trampoline for the children and food booths on wheels.

The Liebert Corporation hosted the annual Lawrence County kickoff for the United Way of the River Cities annual fund-raising campaign.

Representatives from agencies that receive funding from the United Way offered information about their services, as well as some free goodies and games for the children.

Trisha Messenger of Ironton stopped by the Wilderness Road Girl Scout booth to collect information for not only her 4-year-old daughter, Robbi Lynn, but for herself: Robbi Lynn is almost old enough to join a Girl Scout Daisy troop. Her mother said she would consider being a scout volunteer.

"I was in Girl Scouts and Brownies," Messenger said. "They didn't have the Daisies when I was a girl. I think this would be good for her. She likes to be out of doors."

Che-Hona Miller is a Daisy and Brownie trooper leader for troops in the Symmes Valley and Dawson-Bryant schools. Miller said without United way monies is an essential element to scouting in Lawrence County.

"We're doing our best to reach every girl in Lawrence County, and make sure every girl gets the opportunity to be the best she can be, to show good moral values and she can accomplish," Miller said. "Without the United Way, we wouldn't be able to offer financial aid (to girls from low income households)."

Miller said United Way funding allows the Girl Scouts to pay for day school programs and part of the costs of after school activities as well.

Teena Gannon of South Point brought her 4-year-old son, Zachary.

"We wanted to come and see what was going on, and the kids wanted to have fun. I'm glad we came," Gannon said.

Terry Wright, emergency services representative with the American Red Cross offered information about the services that agency provides.

While many think of the Red Cross in terms of blood donations, Wright said that agency provides a number of services to Lawrence County.

"We provide relief to victims of natural and man-made disasters; we provide food shelter and clothing. We offer training in CPR and first- aid.

We train life guards and we have a class for babysitters; we have aids awareness classes. And we handle military emergencies as well," Wright said.

On display Saturday was a red Cross emergency services vehicle that was used at Ground Zero in New York City following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

The goal again this year for Lawrence County is $150,000.

The fund drive continues through the end of the year but may be extended to allow additional time to raise money.

According to United way statistics, 44 percent of all people in Lawrence County receive assistance through one United Way agency or another.