The annual United Way of Central Missouri fundraising campaign reached its goal of $2.1 million this year.
Actually, it surpassed it by $14,000.
The Central Missouri community is caring and compassionate, said Greg Meeker, chairman of the nonprofit's board. Meeker spoke during the United Way's annual victory breakfast Tuesday morning, which was held virtually this year.
And it understands it must stand united, persevere and remain steadfast in its "commitment to fight for the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of every person in our community," Meeker said. "I don't have to remind anyone that it's been a challenging 18 months for our community."
The region has seen flooding, tornadoes, hailstones and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Your United Way was in the middle of it all," Meeker said. "We took a leadership role in the tornado and flood and disaster recovery, and mobilized hundreds of volunteers."
The organization collected supplies and organized donations to meet community needs.
A year later, it continues to work with the long-term recovery committees to meet needs of people affected by disasters.
During the pandemic, responding to the needs of the community and protecting it are the United Way's highest priorities, he continued.
"We are here to celebrate this resilience, perseverance and love for this community," Meeker said.
He said Central Missouri has not and will not let disasters steal its hope.
Fundraising campaign co-chairs Sally Moore and Doug Otto unveiled the campaign outcome.
"With the unbelievable series of crises Greg mentioned, our community has been challenged in new ways," Moore said. "And some communities might throw up their hands and be tempted to give up and give in, but that's not our community."
The United Way knew partner agencies this year were experiencing surges in demand for their services. And it knew it and its partner agencies had to remain financially strong to be the safety net the most vulnerable in the community needed, Otto said.
"It might have been a bit of a challenging campaign, but it has been inspiring, heartwarming and very humbling to be a part of," Moore said.
This year, the campaign was even more crucial, given that every partner agency had to cancel at least one fundraiser, she continued.
For the second consecutive year, the United Way considered the annual campaign the most important in its history, Otto said. This year was the first time he felt some doubt going in.
Over his two years as campaign co-chair, there was adversity, but people kept their heads up, organizations worked together and the community adapted.
"I've seen a community come back from devastation - seen a community put others before themselves," Otto said. "And I've seen a community rally around an organization, even when money was tight."
Money is tight for almost everyone this year, said Ann Bax, president of the United Way of Central Missouri. Until the last minute, the nonprofit was uncertain it would meet its goal.
"I was prepared - in fact, we had a foundation meeting last Thursday - I thought we would need to ask them for help to get us there," Bax said. "And we didn't, thank goodness."
Bax also reached out to an anonymous donor to see if he would be willing to help push the campaign over the top. He stepped up and added $10,000 to the campaign, which it turned out wasn't necessary.
"In this year and this environment - and with everything everyone is going through - to meet our campaign goal is nothing short of a miracle and a testament to our community," Bax said.
She said the organization asked Central Missouri to look past fear of the unknown - not knowing when the pandemic might end or what an individual's future holds.
"People understood that there are people hurting - people who have more need than ever before," Bax said. "They went above and beyond. The selflessness of this community - every year, I'm so inspired by it."