Passion for Pizza - Columbia Business Times

38 September 18, 2010 Columbia Business Times | ColumbiaBusinessTimes.com
United Way increases fundraising goal
The Heart of Missouri United Way kicked off its annual fundraising
campaign this month and announced a slight increase in its goal, to $3.3
million. The donated money will go to 31 partner agencies running 60 social
service programs.
The economic downturn has made it more difficult for people to donate
money, but it’s also caused more people to seek social services because of
related job cuts and pay reductions.
Don McCubbin, the campaign leader and a Shelter Insurance executive,
spoke to approximately 150 local volunteers at the kickoff celebration in the
Tiger Hotel ballroom on Sept. 3. He said the goal will be difficult to reach
but added, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
United Way Executive Director Tim Rich said donors gave $3.26 million
last year, about $50,000 more than the goal announced at the 2009 campaign
kickoff. Rich pointed out that many agencies have had significant increases
in requests for their services while also dealing with federal and state funding
cutbacks.
Rich gave four examples of the increased need:
• The Voluntary Action Center reports an 8 percent increase in the number
of new households that never before sought its services.
• The Community Learning Center has seen a 23 percent increase in
low-income children needing services.
• Boys and Girls Club, which provides before-school and after-school
programs for at-risk youth, has 200 children on its waiting list.
• The Central Missouri Food Bank’s local pantry reports that it’s assisting
more than 150 families a month who have never asked for food help
before.
On Sept. 10, Missouri Employers Mutual hosted the 4th Annual Keene
Street Neighbors Community Barbeque to support the Heart of Missouri
United Way.
MEM turned what had been a company event to a community event by
establishing the Keene Street Neighbors Coalition, a group of businesses,
medical facilities and community volunteers along Keene Street to expand
United Way fundraising and volunteer activities.
The event featured raffles, games, a dunk tank and more than 10 United
Way partner agency booths. v
1
1. From left: Tim Rich, executive director of the Heart of missouri United Way, with United Way board members matt
Garrett, director of audience development at KOmU Tv-8, and Terry Coffelt, executive vice president at landmark Bank.
2. Gail Fitzgerald
3. mEm employees Bob Steinmetz and Jake Novinger volunteer their time to grill burgers for the Keene Street event.
4. don mcCubbin, United Way board member and executive vice president at Shelter Insurance, and Roger WIlson,
mEm president and CEO.
5. Wilson attempts to dunk his assistant in the dunk tank.