Audrain County United Way kicked off its 2009 campaign season Monday, with a luncheon promoting its 20 agencies and its $135,000 goal. This year's theme is "Live United."
Audrain Medical Center sponsored the luncheon, inviting several UW supporters and volunteers from within the community. During the opening AMC president/CEO David Neuendorf commended the organizers of this year's campaign, and asserted the necessity of supporting United Way.
"We're seeing such great synergy in the community, and that is very important, especially this year," Neuendorf told those attending. The recession he said, "has been hard on this community, and a lot of people need our help."
According to the Central Missouri Community Action organization – which covers an eight county area in central Missouri – Audrain County has the highest poverty rate of any of the CMCA counties. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.1 percent of Audrain County residents have incomes beneath the federal guidelines.
"So as you can see, we are truly challenged and need your help, in helping others in need," Neuendorf said.
Audrain County United Way currently supports 20 agencies that include the: Audrain County Crisis Intervention Service, the Help Center, ACCHU Blood Pressure Screenings, ACCHU Medical Assistance Program, Audrain Literacy Council, American Red Cross, the Northeast Community Service Agency, Rainbow House, Agape House, the Children's Therapy and Early Education School, St. Joseph Early Learning Center, Mexico Senior Center, CMCA Family Development Program, Mid-Mo Legal Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, A+ for Education, Audrain County 4-H Special Programs, the Mexico Area Family YMCA – and new to the UW circuit, the 12th Circuit Diversion Court Community Action Panel.
Money raised through the campaign stays in Audrain County, and helps support the services each of the UW agencies provide. Tammy Kobush, the chairperson of this year's campaign, said before she got on board as a volunteer, she never realized how important the agencies were.
"After visiting with the agencies, I am amazed with the work that is being done in our community," Kobush said. "We are fortunate to have them in our community. You never know when we or someone we love may need their services."
Kobush said Audrain United Way is once again sponsoring the Robert McIntosh Corporate Citizenship Award, which challenges the employees of local businesses to increase their contributions, pledge amounts and payroll deductions.
The business that wins the award, she said, earns bragging rights and the honor of displaying the traveling trophy in their office for one year.
Past recipients of the award include the Missouri Military Academy, the Arthur Center, Consolidated Electric Coopera-tive, Spartan Light Metal Products, and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA – which is a three-time winner of the award.
"These people play such a vital role in the success of the United Way program, and we thank them for their continued support," Kobush said.
A special thanks was also extended by the keynote speaker Terry Shulse, whose mother – Shirley Maddox – lost her home to a fire in December 2008. It was local Red Cross volunteers and the generosity of the community, Shulse said, that brought her family through.
"All they had were the clothes on their backs," Shulse said, as she described the aftermath of the fire. Aside from her mother, three of Shulse's siblings also stayed in the home. A Red Cross volunteer was reportedly on the scene before the fire was extinguished, and offered the family $1,235 to meet their immediate needs.
"We are eternally grateful that Red Cross was there, because what they did really, really helped," Shulse said. "My dad always told us it was our civic duty to help the community, and support United Way, and that's why I'm here today – to support those who helped us in our time of need."
"There are hundreds of stories like Terry's, and the need will likely keep getting greater," Kobush noted.
The 2009 campaign runs now through Oct. 31. Anyone interested in making a donation can do so by pledging a cash contribution, or through payroll deduction and direct withdrawal.
To schedule a speakers bureau or reserve a power-point presentation, interested parties can call or email the United Way office at (573) 581-0404, or mauw@swbell.net
"Every donation, small or large, is needed and appreciated," Kobush said.
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Audrain County United Way kicked off its 2009 campaign season Monday, with a luncheon promoting its 20 agencies and its $135,000 goal. This year's theme is "Live United."
Audrain Medical Center sponsored the luncheon, inviting several UW supporters and volunteers from within the community. During the opening AMC president/CEO David Neuendorf commended the organizers of this year's campaign, and asserted the necessity of supporting United Way.
"We're seeing such great synergy in the community, and that is very important, especially this year," Neuendorf told those attending. The recession he said, "has been hard on this community, and a lot of people need our help."
According to the Central Missouri Community Action organization – which covers an eight county area in central Missouri – Audrain County has the highest poverty rate of any of the CMCA counties. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.1 percent of Audrain County residents have incomes beneath the federal guidelines.
"So as you can see, we are truly challenged and need your help, in helping others in need," Neuendorf said.
Audrain County United Way currently supports 20 agencies that include the: Audrain County Crisis Intervention Service, the Help Center, ACCHU Blood Pressure Screenings, ACCHU Medical Assistance Program, Audrain Literacy Council, American Red Cross, the Northeast Community Service Agency, Rainbow House, Agape House, the Children's Therapy and Early Education School, St. Joseph Early Learning Center, Mexico Senior Center, CMCA Family Development Program, Mid-Mo Legal Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, A+ for Education, Audrain County 4-H Special Programs, the Mexico Area Family YMCA – and new to the UW circuit, the 12th Circuit Diversion Court Community Action Panel.
Money raised through the campaign stays in Audrain County, and helps support the services each of the UW agencies provide. Tammy Kobush, the chairperson of this year's campaign, said before she got on board as a volunteer, she never realized how important the agencies were.
"After visiting with the agencies, I am amazed with the work that is being done in our community," Kobush said. "We are fortunate to have them in our community. You never know when we or someone we love may need their services."
Kobush said Audrain United Way is once again sponsoring the Robert McIntosh Corporate Citizenship Award, which challenges the employees of local businesses to increase their contributions, pledge amounts and payroll deductions.
The business that wins the award, she said, earns bragging rights and the honor of displaying the traveling trophy in their office for one year.
Past recipients of the award include the Missouri Military Academy, the Arthur Center, Consolidated Electric Coopera-tive, Spartan Light Metal Products, and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA – which is a three-time winner of the award.
"These people play such a vital role in the success of the United Way program, and we thank them for their continued support," Kobush said.
A special thanks was also extended by the keynote speaker Terry Shulse, whose mother – Shirley Maddox – lost her home to a fire in December 2008. It was local Red Cross volunteers and the generosity of the community, Shulse said, that brought her family through.
"All they had were the clothes on their backs," Shulse said, as she described the aftermath of the fire. Aside from her mother, three of Shulse's siblings also stayed in the home. A Red Cross volunteer was reportedly on the scene before the fire was extinguished, and offered the family $1,235 to meet their immediate needs.
"We are eternally grateful that Red Cross was there, because what they did really, really helped," Shulse said. "My dad always told us it was our civic duty to help the community, and support United Way, and that's why I'm here today – to support those who helped us in our time of need."
"There are hundreds of stories like Terry's, and the need will likely keep getting greater," Kobush noted.
The 2009 campaign runs now through Oct. 31. Anyone interested in making a donation can do so by pledging a cash contribution, or through payroll deduction and direct withdrawal.
To schedule a speakers bureau or reserve a power-point presentation, interested parties can call or email the United Way office at (573) 581-0404, or mauw@swbell.net
"Every donation, small or large, is needed and appreciated," Kobush said.
