During the next week, the News Tribune's annual "A Christmas Wish" series will showcase community members whose lives have been enriched by the work of six United Way of Central Missouri partner agencies.
We'll tell the stories of people who have overcome hardships and are now living better lives thanks to the work of these organizations. They include:
• A recently-widowed mother of five who found reliable, affordable child care at Little Explorers Discovery Center.
• A young man who struggled with anxiety and depression before finding a job he loves at Capitol Projects, where he is now thriving.
• A woman who struggled with addiction and went through many hardships before finding a new, happy and healthy life with help from Dreams to Reality.
• A 10-year old boy who found somewhere to go after school and so much more at the Boys & Girls Club.
• A 5-year-old girl who, after almost not surviving the first 15 months of her life, has overcome many obstacles thanks to the Special Learning Center.
• A woman who struggled with mental health issues but learned how to manage them with support from Compass Health, which she says saved her life.
Their stories are a few of thousands.
In 2021, 109,171 lives were touched by the United Way and its partner agencies, according to the United Way website.
The United Way of Central Missouri has served people in Cole, Moniteau, Miller, Osage and southern Callaway counties for 97 years. It helps fund its 28 partner agencies while working to streamline the work of the charitable services it supports to make them as effective as possible.
The organization fights for the "health, education, financial stability and basic needs of every person in our community." It "improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community," envisioning a community where, by working together, everyone achieves their potential, according to its website.
This year's United Way campaign slogan, "So shines a good deed in a weary world," sums up how we as a community work together to overcome challenges and support each other, and how that support helps individuals overcome obstacles and hardship.
Despite a difficult last few years, the United Way's annual fundraising campaign amassed more than $2.4 million this year, exceeding the goal and continuing about a decade of record-setting efforts.
And this wasn't done through a Christmas miracle. It was made possible by donations from people like you.
"I'm so proud of how much our community cares about each other," said Ann Bax, president of United Way of Central Missouri. "The needs continue to be there due to the different factors that have impacted our lives, from the tornado to the pandemic to now the excessive inflation. Despite those challenges, our community continues to be a part of something bigger than themselves."
The "A Christmas Wish" stories allow us to offer a glimpse into how your contributions are making a difference and impacting the lives of others. By telling these stories, our goal is to bring awareness to the work of the United Way's partner agencies and illustrate how your good deeds shine in a weary world.
"When people are able to step forward and tell their stories, it helps people remember that there's always people who probably have more challenges than we do, and it takes all of us doing our part to really help others," Bax said.
These stories have reminded us of the details of the big picture and how, by working together as a community, even small good deeds can change lives. We can't wait to share them.
How to donate
The United Way will establish an “A Christmas Wish” fund, and donors can give a gift “in the name of” someone specific or a United Way partner agency.
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 whom the donation will benefit.
A volunteer committee will oversee the distribution of these funds. If you want to help fulfill a Christmas wish in Mid-Missouri, mail checks to United Way of Central Missouri, 205 Alameda Drive, Jefferson City, Mo., 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, at 573-636-4100 or [email protected].