United Way plots $4M fundraising goal

During the 20th anniversary of the Day of Caring yesterday, United Way of the Ozarks announced a fundraising goal of $4 million for its annual campaign.

Todd Parnell, campaign chairman and president of Drury University, said in a news release the goal marks the largest amount the nonprofit has pledged to raise in its history. During its 2011 annual campaign, United Way raised $3.46 million, about $100,000 short of its goal, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

The Day of Caring - which yesterday had nearly 1,700 volunteers from about 81 companies and organizations completing more than 220 community projects - marks the ceremonial beginning to United Way's annual fundraising campaign, which wraps up near the end of the year.

The Day of Caring, established by Roseann Bentley, former United Way board chairwoman and a Greene County commissioner, aims to have local businesspeople and community members work on projects such as painting rooms, assembling furniture, organizing closets and landscaping. In its 20-year history, more than 24,000 volunteers have completed nearly 2,500 projects, equaling roughly 144,000 donated hours, the release said.

One example of volunteer work yesterday was at Ozarks Food Harvest, where employees with Associated Electric Cooperate Inc., Bank of America, the city of Springfield and City Utilities worked to aid the nonprofit's weekend backpack program and food drive efforts, among other initiatives, according to a separate release.

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