The tipoff, first pitch, starter's gun.
The United Way of Central Missouri early Thursday morning held a kickoff breakfast for its annual fundraising campaign, which has a "Sports" theme this year.
The breakfast allows the local United Way to gather its "pacesetters" - a group of 32 businesses and agencies that typically raise about half the organization's goal - and coordinate their fundraising efforts.
Last year, the pacesetters raised $935,402. The United Way goal was $1.875 million. The entire campaign for 2017 surpassed its goal and raised more than $2.1 million.
United Way of Central Missouri President Ann Bax told listeners at the Hawthorn Bank Community Room they are fighting for the health, education and basic financial needs of everyone in the community.
"There are so many people who have problems that are hard for us to imagine," Bax said. "Together, we try to raise the funds to address the problems."
Those gathered were more than fundraisers, she said. They were "hand-raisers," the ones who roll up their sleeves and set out to get things done.
Co-chairs of the campaign, Missy Dunn and Ryan Freeman, dressed in cheerleader outfits, encouraging the community leaders to find creative ways to use this year's campaign slogan - "Change the game" - and inspire staff, employees, families, vendors and customers to contribute.
Although last year's campaign (with a Disney theme) raised well over its goal, Freeman said he asked that this year there be a more masculine theme.
"I was really excited when the marketing team brought up the sports theme," Freeman said. "Last year, I was dressed as a princess all year. And now I'm in this (male cheerleading outfit)."
An enthusiastic Dunn, pigtails bobbing, said the two were thrilled to cheer on the pacesetters. Their efforts in 2017 helped distribute more than 50,000 meals to homebound seniors. Through United Way funding in Central Missouri, more than 1,000 youths were reached by a role model, mentor or tutor through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club and ABLE Learning Center. More than 2,000 women affected by domestic violence received safe havens and support. Funding helped more than 18,000 youths receive education and support to empower them to stay drug- and alcohol-free. More than 12,000 adults received medical, dental and behavioral health care through programs supported by the United Way, Dunn said.
"You guys did this," she said. "You understood that there was a need in our community, and you stood up to the challenge."
One in two people in the Mid-Missouri community is touched in some manner by the United Way. And pacesetters' efforts helped the organization reach each, Dunn said.
The United Way reached 86,000 people in 2017, she said.
During 2017, 11 companies had 100 percent employee participation in their campaigns. Seventy percent of money raised came through payroll deductions.
The 2018 campaign stormed out of the gate Tuesday, Freeman said, with the Power of the Purse cocktail reception for ladies from the community. More than 300 tickets were available for the party, which sold out. Thirty-five men, including Freeman, modeled some of the 113 purses available.
"It's amazing how passionate they got about these purses that they knew nothing about," Freeman said.
He announced the reception raised more than $40,000.
In addition to raising funds for its agency partners, in 2018, the United Way has created an online volunteer center to help individuals, families and companies connect with opportunities to volunteer for its partners, Bax said. The platform is now live.
"Our agencies are putting volunteer opportunities on there," she said. "We are reaching out to other agencies in our community through our unmet needs group."
The United Way is extremely excited about the platform. It's something that has been needed and has been on the organization's strategic plan for several years, she said.
"It's really going to be a game-changer," Bax said, "for the whole community as it gets up and gets its legs under it."