The United Way 2014 campaign has surpassed its goal and ended, but some businesses and organizations are still contributing or haven't started yet.
The United Way of Central Missouri started off this year's campaign with a goal to raise $1.75 million, but have ended it with a projected total of nearly $1.8 million, President Ann Bax said. It is projected because some organizations and businesses, such as HyVee and Learfield Communications, have yet to finish or start contributing. The projections are based on what they have been able to raise in the past, Bax said.
The grand total was presented by munchkin-costumed United Way volunteers complete with a matching child and oversized lollipop. Before the total was announced, the audience watched a dance number by members of the local Boys and Girls Club interrupted by seniors doing the twist.
"We liked this year's theme of the Wizard of Oz story because Dorothy found her way home thanks to the help of her community," Bax said. "She was a stranger there, but they wrapped their arms around her and helped her find her way home."
The totals for the different divisions were presented with stories about different individuals the United Way has helped in the past year. The stories included kids getting buddy packs, grieving mothers, abuse victims and state employees who helped an elderly man return to a home equipped to his needs.
The different divisions and their totals are as follows:
• The private pacesetters - $848,146.
• The professionals, such as architects and lawyers - $53,067.
• The special givers, those retired from other campaigns that don't fit in other divisions - $59,279.
• The small business community - $90,420.
• The public service division - $81,013.
• Missouri state employees - $135,000.
• Large companies division - $526,443.
"I am constantly amazed by the generosity of the community," said Andy Fechtel, campaign co-chair. "We can't say thank you enough. In order to keep serving and make our community strong we need to continue to challenge ourselves and push ourselves forward."
This was Fechtel's last campaign to chair, but Barb Prasad will continue to chair next year's campaign.
"We could not have done this without you," Prasad said to the audience. "We have a lot of people come up and thank us, but it is really the community that does all the work and donating. We are just the face of the campaign."
The funds will go toward fulfilling the United Way's obligations to the 27 agencies it helps in Central Missouri, Bax said. For more information about the United Way and its agencies, call 636-4100, or visit unitedwaycemo.org.