United Way raises $3M in annual campaign

United Way of the Ozarks raised $3 million in its annual campaign, short of its $3.2 million goal.

A Nov. 18 campaign celebration marked the ceremonial end to the fundraiser. The campaign started Aug. 21 with the Day of Caring, according to a news release.

At last year’s celebration event, the organization raised $3.82 million, also short of its goal, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

“This was a very challenging campaign that included continued workforce reductions, changes in corporate philanthropic missions and uncertainty about the economy and health care,” said campaign Chairman Brian McDonough, president and general manager of KY3 Inc., in the release. “The dollars pledged will make a tremendous impact in providing the safety net for those issues that our communities face each day – hunger, abuse, neglect, homelessness and a lack of consistent early childhood education.”

Campaign highlights:

• Missouri State University raised more than $105,000.
• Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. increased donations by 116 percent.
• All employees at KOLR-10 participated, increasing total donations by 28 percent.
• The Bank of Missouri improved its campaign by 7.3 percent, with all employees participating.
• American National’s 14th annual car show raised $25,000.
• Associated Wholesale Grocers held the Chip in for Charity golf tournament, raising $42,000.

Some donations will continue to come in through the end of the year, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]