Thank you, state employees.
State workers again this year contributed more than $1 million to charitable organizations, according to an announcement Wednesday.
This year's Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign exceeded the $1 million threshold for the 10th time in its 26 years. In addition, the total represents donations from more than 8,000 state employees to 1,019 charitable groups.
The sustained benevolence of state workers translates into numerous episodes of people helping people.
A vast majority of those episodes take place in Missouri, including many here in Central Missouri.
Contributions from state workers traditionally have made up between 9.5 to 10 percent of the United Way of Central Missouri's annual campaign, according to area United Way President Ann Bax.
"I want to thank the employees of the state of Missouri for their ongoing, loyal support," an appreciative Bax said Thursday. "Despite their own economic uncertainties, they continue to come through to help the community."
Breaking down big numbers - such as $1 million - often helps put them in perspective. Some examples from the area United Way include:
• $1 a week will provide two nights of lodging at the Salvation Army for a homeless person.
• $2 a week will provide a buddy pack for a student for an entire school year through the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri.
• $10 a week will provide 15 nights of shelter for adults and children victimized by domestic violence through the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service.
When you start to multiply individual health and human services by the amount of money donated, a clear picture of the magnitude of help begins to take shape.
Enhancing that picture is a focal point of what it means to be a caring community.
We join in thanking state employees for their generous contribution.