By Nammi Bhagvandoss
nbhagvandoss@joplinglobe.com
The United Way of Southwest Missouri topped its $1 million campaign goal, officials and volunteers announced Tuesday.
“It’s a milestone for our organization,” said Mary Little, executive director.
The organization set a goal of $1 million and raised $1,010,733.66 in pledges in 2006. Little said about 400 businesses participated in the campaign.
Little said decisions will be made in February about allocating the money raised in 2006.
The United Way also will be contributing to three area initiatives: Success By 6, Wings-Teen Pregnancy Programming, and the Single-Parent Scholarship Fund of Jasper and Newton counties.
Bryan Vowels, the 2007 United Way campaign president, said the single-parent scholarship initiative is a new program that will allow single parents to apply for college scholarships. More information about the program will be available in March and April.
The United Way will contribute to 18 agencies in 2007, according to Valerie Searcy, marketing director. They are:
n American Red Cross.
n Arthritis Association of Southwest Missouri Inc.
n Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jasper and Newton Counties.
n Boy Scouts of America-Ozark Trails Council.
n Boys & Girls Club.
n Cerebral Palsy of Tri-County, Webb City.
n Children’s Haven of Southwest Missouri.
n Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City.
n Community Clinic of Joplin.
n Community Support Services of Missouri.
n Girl Scout Council of the Ozark Area.
n Joplin Association for the Blind.
n Joplin Family Y.
n Joplin NALA Read.
n Lafayette House.
n Legal Aid of Western Missouri.
n Regional Health and Welfare Association.
n Salvation Army of Joplin.
Success by 6
“United Way of Southwest Missouri’s Success By 6 Initiative brings together a collaboration of people from business, education, government and child-development organizations to help ensure that all children in our service area have the opportunity to enter school healthy, well adjusted and ready to learn.”
Source: www.uwswmo.org
