OUR OPINION: Elect to aid a different kind of campaign - the United Way

Not every campaign is over.

Political campaigns involving candidates and ballot issues are ending with today's vote, but an important community fundraising campaign is entering its final - and crucial - phase.

The United Way of Central Missouri officially will conclude its annual campaign with a Thank You Celebration on Nov. 10.

This year's effort seeks to raise $1.62 million for United Way's 25 area partner agencies and programs.

Last year, those health and human services organizations and initiatives assisted 81,000 people in Cole, Moniteau, Miller, Osage and southern Callaway counties.

Campaign Co-chairman Bernie Fechtel said he has been "encouraged by the response" from employee groups he has had an opportunity to visit.

"This community historically rises to meet needs and I'm cautiously optimistic," he added.

The Thank You Celebration is designed to express appreciation for all contributions - large and small.

Individual volunteers provide the heartbeat for the area United Way, accounting for 78 percent of its contributors.

And those individual contributions add up quickly. As examples, a weekly contribution of:

  • $1 will provide one month of afterschool care for a school-age child at the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital City.

  • $4 will deliver 13 hours of in-home services from Homemaker Health Care for an elderly or disabled person.

  • $10 will shelter a family victimized by domestic violence for 15 nights at the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service facility.

Every contribution helps and every contribution will continue to be accepted, with gratitude.

United Way volunteers will appreciate your generosity. And, more important, thousands of Central Missourians in need will thank you for your compassion.