For those facing life's toughest battles, the Christmas season can mean another challenge to face. For those willing to help, it's an opportunity to give.
For organizations like the United Way of Central Missouri (UWCM) and the agencies it represents, the holidays, like the rest of the year, are a time to connect people to solutions that can make all the difference - whether they're topped with a bow or simply served on a plate.
"United Way is the convener, or collaborator, with 27 organizations, programs and initiatives," said Ann Bax, UWCM president. "Those agencies kind of fit together like a puzzle: where the services of one stop, another one picks up."
The UWCM has served people in Cole, Moniteau, Miller, Osage and Southern Callaway counties for nearly 90 years. "Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were some of the original partners, and they are still partners with us," Bax said.
Perhaps most recognized for raising funds for its 27 partner agencies, the UWCM functions also to streamline the work of the charitable services it supports to make them as effective as possible.
"We're the collaborator. We bring them together. We look for ways to stretch the charitable dollar and make sure that we are using the donors' dollar to not duplicate services in the community and to serve our community in the best ways," Bax said.
"We look for the unmet needs in the community, and we as a group come together and try to figure out who's best to address those."
While the United Way allocates money for year-round programs, certain needs - as well as the community's awareness of them - heighten around the holiday season.
"During the holidays, you just see more of people coming forward and needing assistance," Bax said. "Some of it has to do with the cold weather because a lot of it revolves around utility assistance and things like that. People are trying to get home for Christmas, or they're trying to make sure their kids have a Christmas, or they're needing shelter."
Another common winter request in Central Missouri is transportation. The United Way receives many calls from individuals and families, and while it does not provide funding directly, it does work to find a solution with one of its partner agencies or businesses. For example, the United Way recently helped connect a family struggling financially with a broken furnace to a business in that field willing to help.
While "Christmas wishes" tend to merit more notice near the end of the year, that's not the only time the spirit of giving is needed.
"It is a year-round thing. The need may escalate a little bit at this time of year, but I think it's more that everyone wants to look out for their neighbors and they want everyone to have a good holiday, so it's more top of mind," Bax said.
"There are a lot of people that are hurting year-round. The wonderful thing is we have a community that looks out for one another and steps up to do what they can. It's all of us working together," she continued. "I think our community does "live united.'"
Over the next week, News Tribune's "A Christmas Wish" series will showcase community members daily whose lives have been enriched by the work of six United Way partner agencies.
"Our agencies have great stories to tell about clients whose lives have been made better ... but sometimes it's hard for an individual who's been through a rough time to tell that story. It takes a lot of courage," Bax said. "I think it gives us all hope: it gives us hope that we can make a difference and people are making that happen."
If you wish to donate
In order to be tax deductible, checks must be made payable to the United Way of Central Missouri and the United Way must retain the right to specifically determine who the donation will benefit.
The United Way will establish a Christmas Wish fund, and donors can give a gift "in the name of" someone specific, or a United Way partner agency.
A volunteer committee will oversee the distribution of these funds.
If you want to help fill a Christmas Wish, mail checks to United Way of Central Missouri, 205 Alameda Drive, Jefferson City Missouri 65109. "News Tribune Christmas Wish Fund" should be noted on the memo line of the check.
Questions may be directed to Ann Bax, President of United Way of Central Missouri, 636-4100, or [email protected].