Local United Way kicks off 2009 campaign

The United Way kicked off their fund-raising season with a breakfast at the Nevada Senior Center Wednesday. President Adam Dean welcomed members of participating agencies and invited them to give a short presentation on their groups.

This year the United Way is funding 19 agencies, 18 agencies that participated last year plus a new one. ACHE Dental, American Red Cross, A.O. Employment, Children's Mercy Hospital, Council on Families in Crisis, Community Outreach, D.A.R.E., Girl Scouts, Meals on Wheels, Nevada Youth Recreational Baseball, Nevada Youth Softball, Boy Scouts, Special Olympics, The Neighbors Center, University of Missouri Extension, Vernon County Adult Drug Court, Vernon County Child Advocacy Council, Vernon County Ministerial Alliance, Vernon County Senior Center.

Dean said that the group was keeping the fundraising goal the same as last year, $112,000, which he believes is still achievable even in a recession.

"Our goal is $112,000, the same as last year, and I think we can do that," Dean said. "We have a great group of people and even in hard times they are willing to do what's needed to get to the goal."

Dean said that the United Way of Vernon County supported more agencies than some larger chapters.

"We support more agencies than some chapters that are a lot larger than us," Dean said. "We may have to spread the money around a little thinner than they do but we try to help as many people as possible."

After the breakfast coordinator packets were distributed to the participants and Dean was reminded to have the coordinators fill out the last page of the packet when the fundraising effort was over.

"I'm reminded that it must be number 11 on the agenda," Dean said. "Fill out the last page and get that to us in December so that we can figure out who to give the awards to and how much money we've raised. Without that page we won't know where we're at."

A final reminder brought Dean back to the microphone.

"Don't forget the Oktoberfest Chili Cookoff," Dean said. "We all look forward to that. If you know of anyone interested in getting a team together be sure to remind them of it. It's a lot of fun and a great way to raise money."