Businesses help United Way fund local programs

Columbia Area United Way volunteers coordinate community assistance through mid-Missouri agencies providing family, youth, nutrition, health, employment, counseling and shelter services. Nearly all funds raised locally go to local agencies.

Every year Columbia businesses have the opportunity to assist United Way through corporate donations and employee campaigns. We’ve compiled a list of this year’s top donors and recipients.

Top 10 business donors for the 2006 pledge drive:

1. University of Missouri employees —$516,841.88

2. Shelter Insurance Companies—$187,483.66

3. Columbia Public Schools employees—$113,078

4. State Farm Insurance Companies —$110,279.02

5. Boone County National Bank—$98,533.74

6. Boone Hospital Center—$70,591

7. First National Bank and Trust—$66,423.20

8. Isle of Capri Casinos, Booneville—$65,293.20

9. Square D Company—$56,732.49

10. Three M Company—$55,728.10

Numbers indicate pledges made as of 12/11/06.

Private donations exceeding $10,000 came from Jeffrey E. and Nancy Jill Smith, Greg and Kelly DeLine, John and Karla DeSpain, David and Linda Duffy, Dr. and Mrs. Elson Floyd, Bo and Terry Fraser, Skip and Daisy Grossnickle, Thomas and Rebecca Highland, Stan and Ann Kroenke, Mr. and Mrs. William Laurie, Sara and Robert LeMone, Greg and Ginny Mattli, Richard and Nancy Miller, Bob and Connie Pugh, Stephen and Bea Smith, Tom and Anne Smith, Daniel and Andrea Stubler, and Henry Waters and Vicki Russell.

Top United Way member agency funds:

1. Central Missouri Food Bank & Food Pantry—$225,000

2. Salvation Army Family Shelter & Services—$124,500

3. Big Brothers Big Sisters—$119,680

4. Community Nursery Schools—$113,500

5. Family Counseling Center—$107,000

6. Family Health Center—$104,250

7. Services for Independent Living—$100,575

8. Nora Stewart Nursery School—$100,000

9. Job Point—$98,070

10. Voluntary Action Center—$88,000

Figures indicate the amounts to be fully paid in 2006.

Other United way member agencies include the Alzheimer’s Association, Eldercare Center, Harvest House, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services, the Women’s Shelter, the YMCA, Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, Boys and Girls Club of the Columbia Area, Camp Hickory Hill, Fun City Youth Academy, Girl Scouts, Rainbow House, American Red Cross, Boone County Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels, OATS Transportation Services, Phoenix Substance Abuse Recovery Programs, Unlimited Opportunities and area nursery schools and day care centers. v

United Way raises $3 million

United Way has surpassed its goal for the 2006 fund-raising campaign.
Campaign chair Karen Taylor announced that pledges from the campaign had reached $3,028,313 by Nov. 16, when the fund drive was wrapped up. The total represents a 5.6 percent increase over the 2005 campaign.

“Our goal was $2,976,522, and that was the amount we knew we needed to fund our 32 agencies and to cover operating expenses in 2007,” said Taylor, executive vice president of Boone County National Bank.

Of the additional funds raised, $25,000 is ear-marked for the United Way Endowment Fund, she said.

In the United Way employee campaign, which entails attaining individual donations through payroll deductions, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia Public Schools, the City of Columbia and Boone County government employees broke their organizations’ own records for giving.

“This is an extremely generous community where people love to help their neighbors in need,” Taylor said.

For more information, contact the United Way at (573) 443-4523 or www.unitedway-columbia.org.