The United Way of Central Missouri announced its 2013 Community Campaign leadership, $1.7 million campaign goal and one-time grant recipients Wednesday at the Special Learning Center.
Jefferson City natives Lori Massman and Andy Fechtel will serve as this year's campaign co-chairs. Massman, who co-chaired last year's campaign, is community development manager at Scholastic, while Fechtel serves as a brand specialist at Fechtel Beverage.
Both are passionate about the United Way, its agencies and the work being done for the community.
Massman received the United Way of Central Missouri's "Live United" award in 2012 for her exemplary volunteerism. She serves on various community boards and committees, including nearly every United Way committee.
Fechtel's involvement with the United Way of Central Missouri began in high school when he organized the local teen day of caring and served as a student liaison to the board. Most recently, he has served as a panel member and panel chair of the United Way's fund allocation process, and has been a member of the organization's special events committee, as well as the board of governors. He is also active on various other community boards, and is a co-chair of the upcoming Boys & Girls Club of the Capital City Cork, Fork and Brews event.
"It is a privilege and an honor to have Lori and Andy lead the 2013 United Way of Central Missouri Community Campaign," said Ann Bax, president of the United Way of Central Missouri. "Scholastic and Fechtel Beverage, the organizations they represent, are incredible supporters of the United Way of Central Missouri, and their personal passion to make a difference in our community makes them a perfect fit for the role of campaign leaders."
The annual Community Campaign helps fund the work of the United Way of Central Missouri's 25 partner agencies and programs. The United Way of Central Missouri serves Cole, Miller, Moniteau, Osage and southern Callaway counties.
The goal of this year's campaign is $1.7 million, up $50,000 from last year.
Last year, the United Way exceeded its goal, raising $1.8 million.
"We've increased our goal to be aggressive, but yet sensitive to the economic times," Bax said.
The Community Campaign will begin later this summer.
The United Way of Central Missouri also announced one-time grant recipients Wednesday.
This year, the United Way board of directors approved $75,000 for one-time grants for charitable organizations that serve the United Way of Central Missouri service area. The grants were open to any agency, not only ones that partner with the United Way.
Dan Westhues, chairman of the United Way of Central Missouri's board of directors, said the agency received a total of more than $150,000 in grant requests from 19 area organizations. The United Way was able to award grants to 11 of them, five partner agencies and six other area organizations.
The recipients include Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association, Community Health Center of Central Missouri, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Healing Horses Therapeutic Riding Program, Jefferson City Day Care Center, Job Point, Moniteau Christian Ministries, Pathways Community Behavioral Health Care, River City Habitat for Humanity, Senior Nutrition Council and the Special Learning Center.
"Together we are meeting needs and helping the most vulnerable in our community," Bax said.