Doug Hamilton, 2007 United Way of Cass-Clay Campaign Chair, announced today that this year’s campaign will raise $4,405,993 an 7% increase over last year’s campaign. The 2007 goal was $4,355,000.

“We live in a very generous community. Because of this generosity, United Way of Cass-Clay is able to tackle the root causes of the most serious problems in our community,” Doug Hamilton said in a press conference held at the New Life Center. “I want to thank everyone for doing what matters, and donating their time, talent and gifts to United Way of Cass-Clay.”

United Way campaign dollars are allocated to 57 programs that provide essential services to individuals and families in our community. “It is because of the work that these agencies do that our community is the great place that it is,” said Hamilton.

Last year United Way of Cass-Clay implemented a new allocation process that allowed the organization to develop a campaign goal after evaluating both human service needs in the area and the community’s capacity to give. After this assessment, the campaign goal was set at $4,355,000. Tracy Powell, Campaign Director at United Way said that 99% of the money raised in Cass and Clay counties stays here. “It truly impacts our area, and improves lives,” she said.

 Key Highlights
The 2007 Campaign began in August when 17 organizations ran their Pacesetter Campaigns. The Pacesetters had a record breaking year, by starting the campaign with 14.3 % of the goal.

The School Supply Drive provided 3,200 children with backpacks and a complete set of school supplies. Businesses, organizations, and individuals donated over $72,500 worth of supplies so that kids could be confident and excited on their first day of school.

In its sixteenth year, Day of Caring continues to impact senior citizens. A record number of volunteers helped, making this year’s event the largest since this effort began. We had more than 1,800 volunteers from 92 businesses who helped 450 seniors rake leaves, put up storm windows, even light painting.  

The Women’s Leadership program called WELL—Women Enhancing Lives Through Leadership—held its Annual luncheon on August 8, featuring guest speaker, Lucinda Yates, whose who gave an inspiring talk about her journey from being penniless to now owning a multi-million dollar company. WELL also holds four quarterly programs. These programs along with the luncheon raised nearly $29,000 for United Way of Cass-Clay’s Success By 6 ® initiative.

Share A Story is an annual event that promotes the importance of literacy. It is a fun-filled day that encourages parents and caregivers to take an active and early part in their child’s literacy. In May, 1,500 people attended the event and every child received a free book. Families participated in literacy activities such as creating stories and story hour.

United Way of Cass-Clay partners with the Dollywood Foundation to bring Imagination Library to our community, Imagination Library provides free books to children in Cass and Clay Counties from birth until their fifth birthday. This year, United Way of Cass-Clay distributed an average of 7,722 books a month to children in both counties. Since 2003 nearly 370,000 books have been sent out to 15,546 children in Cass and Clay Counties.

The Countdown to Kindergarten program provides valuable and much needed support to parents of children entering Kindergarten in the fall by improving access to information, providing preschool and parent education classes, and partnering with organizations that work with young families. The program continues to have great success and is adding new sites.

In 2007 United Way had more than 16,000 individual donors and 516 organizations.