United Way reaches goal with annual banquet
By KATHERINE CUMMINS
The Fulton Sun

 

Attendees of the Callaway County United Way's annual celebrity waiter banquet received a pleasant surprise Saturday night: The event helped put the organization over the $250,000 goal for its fundraising campaign.

"Our executive director, Kathy Richey Liddle, handed me a note while I was at the microphone," board member and banquet MC Peg Dzicek said in a press release. "I had to read it twice and ask (if it was true) before I read it aloud. When I did, the crowd went wild.

"What a great night, what a dramatic exclamation point to put on our campaign. It was really amazing."

In an interview Tuesday, Richey Liddle said the almost $5,000 in ticket sales may have seemed like a dramatic finish, but the United Way Fundraising Campaign "always takes that last little push to make it."

"Typically we have to do one last event in January or February," she said.

Despite the annual late push and a faltering economy, Richey Liddle said she never doubted whether local residents would come through, although this year started off slow.

"When we first started out, things were going pretty slowly, but as the campaign progressed, things started to pick up," she said. "The community is just very giving, and they know the need is very great.
 

"With the economy the way it is, people needing services has increased. I think people understand that, and those of us who are fortunate to be able to make donations have been very generous."

Richey Liddle said the 23 employee fund drives conducted on behalf of the United Way each year -- which account for approximately 74 percent of the total campaign -- actually brought in more money than last year.

"So it's the employees of the larger businesses and corporations in town that really help us (meet the goal)," she said.

The Callaway County United Way provides financial support to 13 different Callaway County service agencies, including the Callaway County Senior Center, the Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Kingdom Projects, SERVE, Inc. and Our House: Caring for Callaway's Homeless.

According to Richey Liddle, every dollar donated to the United Way has a far-reaching effect on the community through those agencies, and every dollar is greatly appreciated.

"The United Way agencies provide over 200 programs and services that vary from Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to help our future leaders to services for the elderly," she said. "(The thing about the United Way is) if you give to one, you're actually giving to all 13.

"I just want to thank everyone for stepping up and giving. It's made a huge difference for everyone in the community."

That sentiment was echoed in the press release by Callaway County United Way board president Cathi Harris.

"We want to say a heartfelt and most sincere thank you to the employees that give at work, the individuals that send in a check, the people that visit our events and drop a dollar in the fishbowl, the businesses that make considerable contributions every year, the volunteers that keep us going, the thousands of kids who collect money for the penny drive every year," Harris said in the release. "If I could hug every single one of you, I would."

The official campaign may be over, but Richey Liddle said anyone wishing to contribute to the Callaway County United Way may do so at www.callawayunitedway.com, or by sending donations to P.O. Box 793, Fulton, MO 65251.