United Way Kick-off Launches 2008 Campaign
August 26, 2008
United Way of the Ozarks Campaign Kick-off, scheduled for Thursday, August 28 at Hammons Field, will acknowledge Pacesetter companies and announce to a crowd of 350 participants the 2008 campaign goal. The United Way campaign will run August 28 through November 5.
The event begins this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with a Bullpen Patio Picnic and concludes with a Springfield Cardinals game at 7:10 p.m. Event attendees will get to view the new United Way PSA and sing along with United Way volunteers who lead the crowd in a rousing rendition of "Take Me out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch.
"The campaign is about a lot of people giving. It's about being part of something bigger than you and giving of yourself," said John Wilson, president of US Bank and United Way Campaign Chairman. "This is our first Kick-off at the Cardinals Stadium, which adds elements of fun and excitement. We have 350 folks joining us for the Kick-off in support of United Way and its important role in providing health and human services to our friends, neighbors and perhaps even family members right here in southwest Missouri."
The Kick-off is sponsored by Associated Electric Cooperative; Commerce Bank; Cox Health; Great Southern Bank; and Shughart, Thomson & Kilroy.
United Way of the Ozarks traces its origins to 1930 when a group of committed people built upon the familiar spirit of giving by many for one goal. United Way's mission then and now remains the same: To increase the understanding of human needs and mobilize resources to meet those needs. Today the United Way's board and 2000+ volunteers help people by raising money and resources and allocating those funds to programs of the United Way's family of health and human service agencies in Southwest Missouri. United Way also provides grants to regional nonprofit organizations and sponsors community coalitions to improve the quality of life for people throughout the Ozarks.