United Way celebrates 2010 campaign results

With a 2010 campaign that drew nearly $3.5 million in pledges, United Way of the Ozarks recognized its accomplishments for the year – and several companies and individuals who helped make them happen – at its annual meeting March 9.

During the event held at the University Plaza Hotel, Norm Ridder, 2010 United Way Board chairman and Springfield Public Schools superintendent, highlighted several 2010 accomplishments, including the fact that the 2010 campaign pledges represented 99.87 percent of the goal.

Among the other highlights:

• Allocations for 2010 totaled $3.08 million.
• More than 1,800 volunteers helped with the Day of Caring in August.
• Hands on For Seniors completed 113 home maintenance and repair projects for 74 senior citizens.
• A United Way campaign effort was established in Stone and Taney counties.

“It’s been a very busy and very productive year for United Way of the Ozarks,” Ridder said in the release. “We have really worked to fulfill United Way’s mission, to understand the health and human service needs of our community and work to mobilize resources so we can meet those needs."

United Way also recognized 23 entities in the Circle of Caring, reserved for companies, organizations and partner agencies that have at least 50 percent campaign participation and at least $150 per capita in gifts.

The John C. Rush award was presented to 43 organizations that reported at least a 15 percent increase in employee contributions to United Way.

United Way also bestowed its 2010  Pillar Awards to companies, organizations or agencies for their benchmark efforts to create and sustain a United Way culture among their respective entities.

Pillar Award recipients are:

• Corporate Humanitarian of the Year: Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce;
• Outstanding Community Service: Ozarks Regional YMCA; and
• Outstanding United Way Volunteers: Julie Reynolds, Buddy Ball and Cindy Norman.

[[In-content Ad]]