Tony Kenney, president of Speedway SuperAmerica (SSA), has been selected to lead this year’s Clark County campaign for United Way, Springfield News-Sun reported.

Speedway and Kenney have been long-time and strong supporters of the United Way, Executive Director Doug Lineberger said. “Tony’s been someone who believes in the United Way and believes it’s important to help people,” he said.

SSA’s headquarters are located off Interstate 70 between Springfield and Dayton, Ohio. The company is glad to call Springfield home, Kenney said. “And along with that goes responsibility to give back to the communities where you do business,” he said.

United Way is currently emphasizing its “Club 52” effort for its 2010 campaign, which kicks off Friday, Sept. 10, with a community golf scramble at Snyder Park, where the campaign’s goal will be announced. Last year about 150 golfers participated.

Kenney hopes to meet or exceed the campaign goal, as the United Way did during this latest campaign for the first time in a few years.

The fundraising effort is asking non-donors to give $1 a week, or current donors to increase their contribution by $1 a week. A $1-a-week donation to the United Way can buy six vaccines, 12 hot meals for the elderly or a week of groceries for a disaster victim, the Springfield News-Sun reported.

“You can be a hero and help someone by giving through the United Way,” Lineberger said.