Posted: Monday, Sep 28, 2009 - 10:21:02 am CDT

UW's annual kickoff set Oct. 9 with $250,000 goal

By DON NORFLEET
The Fulton Sun

With a goal of raising $250,000 this year, more than 100 Fulton area volunteers will help the Callaway County United Way stage its 10th annual Campaign Kickoff Celebration on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Fulton Wal-Mart parking lot, 2000 North Bluff St.

Numerous events are planned during the day, including a tailgate party leading up to the Fulton High School Homecoming football game with Kirksville.

Kathy Richey-Liddle, United Way executive director, said the campaign for the charity's annual budget for next year is expected to be completed by the end of December.

"Last year we barely exceeded our goal of $250,000. Because the economy is down so much this year, we decided to keep the goal at the same amount at $250,000," Richey-Liddle said.

"We are aware of the fact that needs have increased dramatically in the county because of the economy, but we wanted to set a goal that we felt we could meet," she said.

"The people of Callaway County are so giving. They always step up to meet the challenge. We hope we can not only meet but exceed our goal," Richey-Liddle said.

"The Pacemaker Campaign of major employers in Fulton already has started. It includes Callaway Bank, Ovid Bell Press, Central Bank, Dollar General, and AmerenUE. I have not received any feedback so far on how solicitations have been going but it just started. Last year the combined amounts raised by our Pacesetters and the Kickoff Celebration was about $60,000. Most of that came from our Pacesetters," Richey-Liddle said.

Events this year include an online and telephone auction of about 160 items that have been donated to the United Way. All of the items donated will be on display in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

The items include a quilt, 16 GB iPod Touch, date night package, blue topaz ring, $100 Subway gift card, MU Tiger football tickets, St. Louis Cardinals tickets, M*A*S*H autographed script, All-Star Game package donated by Bud Selig, commissioner of Major League Baseball, including an All-Star baseball autographed by Selig, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright bobblehead and autographed baseball.

Volunteers also will answer phones set up to take bids on various items displayed. The phone numbers to call are (573)-642-0536 or (573)-220-2209 or bids can be placed online by accessing www.callawayunitedway.com.

Also to raise United Way contributions, tickets will be sold for a 50-50 drawing. The winner will receive half of the proceeds from the ticket sales.

Fulton Academy students will conduct a Bake Sale from 8-10:30 a.m. with the proceeds going to the United Way.

United Way volunteers also will be selling doughnuts and coffee for breakfast from 6-11 a.m. and barbecued pork steak, hot dogs and hamburgers from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the profits going to the United Way.

Starting at 3 p.m., Peg Dzicek will perform Tarot Card readings, with the proceeds going to the United Way.

This also marks the sixth year of the United Way Penny Drive.

"We have both colleges in Fulton participating along with nearly all public and private high school and elementary schools in Callaway County. We have 14 schools participating. Last year the schools raised $9,905.27. It's great to have children participating in fund raising for United Way. It gets them accustomed early for what needs to be done to help others in Callaway County," Richey-Liddle said.

Representatives from the class that collects the most money from each school will deliver the pennies to the United Way Radio-thon conducted by KFAL and KKCA from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The radio coverage continues through the broadcast of the Fulton High School Homecoming game after the event.

Last year the top four schools collecting pennies for the United Way were South Callaway Academy, $2,100.26; McIntire Elementary School, $1,340.28; North Callaway High School, $1,010.41; and Fulton Middle School, $957.94.

In addition to the fund-raising events for the United Way, numerous other attractions will be available at the Wal-Mart parking lot.

Callaway Community Hospital will provide flu shots, blood pressure and glucose testing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A hamburger or hotdog with chips and a drink will be provided by the United Way to all people who donate blood during the event.

A kid's booth will be provided with a selection of games for children from 3-8 p.m.

The Callaway Cruise featuring classic cars, modified cars and motorcycles will be featured from 5-8 p.m. at the event.

Amy's Academy of Dance & Gymnastics will perform at 6 p.m.