United Way raises $3.9M in annual campaign

At its campaign celebration yesterday, United Way of the Ozarks representatives announced the organization has raised $3.88 million of its $4 million annual campaign goal.

The campaign celebration marks the ceremonial end to the fundraiser, which began with the Day of Caring Aug. 23. According to a news release, some campaigns are wrapping up, including efforts in Branson.

“We will still be working to achieve our goal up to the very last minute that we officially close the campaign," said Todd Parnell, campaign chairman and president of Drury University, in the release. "We are so close to our stretch goal of $4 million, that we will keep going until we reach it."

The $3.88 million figure represents an increase from last year's total of $3.46 million, which was about $100,000 short of its goal.

Campaign highlights, according to Parnell:

• American National Property And Casualty Co.'s 13th annual Car Show for Kids raised a record $30,000.
• Arvest Bank associates increased their fundraising efforts by 39 percent to $21,000.
• Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. raised $94,011, a 44 percent increase.
• Associated Wholesale Grocers' fifth Chip in for Charity event  broke a record of more than $50,000.
• City Utilities employees raised $176,000, a 12 percent increase compared to 2011.
• Community Foundation of the Ozarks provided a $25,000 challenge grant to United Way, which was matched 100 percent.
• KY3 Inc. raised $25,098, a 92.5 percent increase.
• Ozarks Technical Community College's campaign increased by 13 percent to $20,132.
• Springfield city officials raised $116,000, a 26 percent bump.
• At $22,000, the Springfield Police Department increased its campaign by 38 percent.
• Springfield Public Schools' Pay it Forward Charitable Giving Campaign, a dual campaign with the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, finished at $68,600.
• SRC Holdings Corp. companies increased their campaign total to $157,066, a 50 percent increase.

United Way of the Ozarks funds more than 60 partner agency programs and initiatives addressing critical health and human services needs in a 14-county area, the release said.