The University’s 2009 United Way campaign is inching ever closer toward its goal of raising $620,000 to help support the 31 central Missouri social service agencies that receive funding through the Heart of Missouri United Way chapter. As of Nov. 2, the University campaign had raised a total of $477,384, or 77 percent of its goal. That’s ahead of last year at this time, when the campaign had raised slightly more than 67 percent of the goal.
This year’s community campaign goal is a little more than $3.2 million, and donations from University faculty, staff, students and retirees make up 20 percent of that amount. In addition members of the university family are active volunteers at the agencies, serve on their boards of directors and take part in the budget allocation process.
In 2008, members of the university community volunteered more than 44,000 hours of service to United Way and its agencies. That volunteer time was valued at $850,000.
Mitzi Clayton, University campaign co-chair, says if people want to make a difference in their community, they should consider a United Way contribution. “It is remarkable to me just how far the United Way can stretch every dollar donated,” she says. “Regardless of your socioeconomic status, one could very well find themselves in need of a United Way agency.”