You're out of the woods/You're out of the dark/You're out of the night
Step into the sun, step into the light.
- "Optimistic Voices" lyrics from "The Wizard of Oz"
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Cheerful voices at an area United Way event Thursday celebrated a campaign based on optimism.
Volunteers assisting this year's United Way of Central Missouri fundraising campaign announced this week that contributions have exceeded the ambitious goal of $1.75 million. The projected total is nearly $1.8 million for the campaign based on the theme, "There's No Place Like Home," adapted from the lavish 1939 film.
"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," said Ann Bax, president of the area United Way. "She was a stranger there, but they wrapped their arms around her and helped her find her way home."
That theme reflects the efforts of the area United Way's 27 partner agencies and programs. Services include feeding the hungry; providing shelter for the homeless and victims of domestic violence; health and mental health services; youth character-building initiatives; and more.
Those services are maximized because funds raised here are distributed locally, 92 cent of every $1 go directly to providing services and budgets are transparent and scrutinized by local volunteers.
Delivering those positive, optimistic messages during this year's campaign was coordinated by Andy Fectel and Barb Prasad, who served as co-chairs.
"I am constantly amazed by the generosity of the community," Fechtel said. "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."
Prasad added: "We could not have done this without you. 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."
Campaign contributors again have helped neighbors in need emerge from the darkness of hunger, despair, domestic violence, disasters and more. As a result of our community's continuing generosity, more people will receive an opportunity to step into the sun and light.