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(COURTESY OF THE UNITED WAY)

Every campaign has a story and United Way of Wyandotte County’s campaign was no different this year.

United Way supporters shared their stories at the Celebration lunch yesterday as campaign chairs, Dr. Jill Shackelford and Jeff Manning, celebrated the campaign’s success of raising slightly more than $2 million to date.

“When we LIVE UNITED and when we give united; we’re going to make Wyandotte County a better place to be,” Dr. Shackelford, Superintendent of the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools and campaign co-chair, said. “We appreciate your efforts to dig down a little bit deeper and give united.”

This year’s United Way’s goal is $2.4 million. A bold goal was set knowing that it would be difficult to attain in a struggling economy, but it is the amount that United Way felt it needed to meet the growing needs in the community.

United Way will continue to reach out to new accounts and revisit those who did not give this year. Major campaign contributor, General Motors, will play an important role in helping to make up the difference. In January, they will be adding a third shift with a 1,000 new employees.

“GM is a proud supporter of United Way. We plan on campaigning our new workers once they get settled in after the first of the year,” Jeff Manning, President of UAW Local 31 and labor campaign chair, announced. “We’re dedicated to ensuring that every worker has an opportunity to give and support the needs of the community.”

United Way of Wyandotte County’s mission is to increase the community’s understanding of human needs and to mobilize resources to meet those needs.

“I am confident that we be able to raise those resources,” Wendell Maddox, President and CEO, United Way of Wyandotte County, said. “The campaign has been extended until we are able to meet the need.”

Campaigns are traditionally deemed successful based on how much capital is raised, but it’s the stories behind the dollars that really define them and those stories were told at the United Way celebration event by committed supporters.

Breit’s Stein and Deli raised more than $1,000 in one evening with a cookout. Kaw Valley Arts assisted in hosting the first holiday art sale for United Way, which provided a new avenue of support. Staff at White Church Elementary in USD 500 challenged its students to raise $1,000.

In exchange, the teachers and principal dined on a feast of live bugs. The University of Kansas Hospital ran an online campaign and exceeded its goal by more than $10,000. Edwardsville Elementary combined two United Way principles, giving and advocating, in its walk to school day for United Way. Students raised pledges to promote healthy exercise by walking to school.

These are the stories about our caring community that were celebrated during this year’s United Way of Wyandotte County Campaign celebration.

To find out more information about how to donate to United Way of Wyandotte County call (913) 371-3674 or visit www.unitedway-wyco.org.