Volunteers and children served by the United Way partner agencies dress in Disney costume for the audience at the
United Way Community Campaign Kick-off Luncheon on August 31, where it was announced that Pacesetters and
United Way agencies have raised 49.888% of the $1.875 million goal.
Mike Hoelscher
United Way of Central Missouri Board Chair
With the start of one of my favorite seasons, autumn, you will see many changes around you; from the cooler temperatures and beautiful colors, to the rich smells of autumn. For the United Way of Central Missouri the start of autumn also means the start of the Community Campaign Season.
Each autumn the United Way of Central Missouri selects a fun theme with a serious message for the annual community campaign. As the change of autumn is upon us our community is dreaming of all the fun ways we can reach our campaign goal. As many of you may know, our campaign slogan plays off the 2017 Campaign Disney theme “If you can dream it, you can do it”. Unfortunately, many of those in need in our community have stopped dreaming. However, with your help in reaching our goal, our 28 United Way partner agencies can use their wand to light the path for those in need and help them “dream it and do it” once again!
United Way of Central Missouri started dreaming early this year, and to get everyone energized for this year’s campaign, held a new event called Power of the Purse which raised an incredible $37,700. This was also the beginning of the Women United affinity group to give the women in our community the opportunity to advocate and support health and human service issues through the United Way.
The 28 United Way of Central Missouri partner agencies served over 80,000 people in 2016, and touched 1 in 2 people in our community…and that is only possible due to the generosity of our community. The 2017 Campaign Co-chairs, Jayne Dunkmann and Ryan Freeman, the United Way partner agencies, and United Way staff have been extremely busy assisting the 31 Pacesetter Companies as they developed and executed energetic, funfilled campaigns so we can continue this important work.
The Pacesetters’ results were announced at the Campaign Kick-Off on August 31, and they officially launched and set the pace for the 2017 United Way Community Campaign. Pacesetters hosted workplace campaigns during the month of August to set the bar for the Com munity Campaign, which continues through October 31. Our Pacesetter’s dreamed really big this year and raised 49.888% of the $1,875,000 goal!
There are numerous fun activities planned over the next six weeks to make it easy to support United Way; such as buying Coca Cola products, raffle tickets for a 1971 MG Midget from Jefferson City Autoplex, or raffle tickets for a Tiny Bank from Jefferson Bank. You also don’t want to miss KRCG’s Anti-Bullying Series which began in early September in partnership with the United Way. Once again, area restaurants will be participating in the annual Dine United fundraising efforts. To support Dine United, simply dine at local restaurants who have pledged to give to United Way during the months of September and October! The complete list of restaurants can be found on the United Way website or Facebook page. It is fun-filled United Way events like these that provide opportunities for you to help those in need in our community.
In this season of hope, the United Way campaign is an opportunity for individuals like you and me to help our neighbors or co-workers, or someone we may never meet. We get to lend a hand for a child who needs a permanent family, feed a senior who appreciates a home-delivered meal so they can stay in their home, or provide a job for a person with a disability. The United Way Community Campaign is a grass roots effort that provides every community member the opportunity to give back to help our neighbors in need. Thank you in advance for helping us reach our $1.875 million goal. Please mark your calendar to attend the United Way Victory Celebration on November 2 at the Missouri Farm Bureau. I hope to see you there!
