the Campaign Training Kit

WE ARE
MIZZOU
AND WE DON’T JUST
WEAR THE SHIRT,
WE LIVE IT.
2010
UNIT CHAIR
TRAINING KIT
Heart of Missouri
United Way
Greetings From the Executive Director
Dear Unit Chair,
Welcome to Heart of Missouri United Way!
Today, with your help, we embark upon an annual journey to make a real and positive
impact in our community. This is a journey that makes a lasting mark on your community, MU/UM, your co-workers, and on
you.
As an Unit Chair, you are key to our success in providing critical and essential human services to people in need right here
where you live. They are your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends, and sometimes, your own family.
We rely upon you to be the eyes, the ears and the voice of our community at Mizzou. Without you, we simply could not reach all
the caring people you work with. But, with your help, we can UNITE those who want to make a real difference!
We know you’ve already got a “plateful” of responsibilities and stepping up to help Mizzou’s United Way campaign can be
daunting. But, rest assured, we stand ready to help you plan, implement, and ultimately achieve success in your campaign.
Thank you so much for agreeing to be our Ambassador to your departments and units at MU/UM. I know first-hand how important your work is to those we serve, and I am personally grateful for your support.
Sincerely,
Timothy L. Rich
Executive Director/CPO
2
Resources
MU/UM Loaned Executives
•
•
•
Campaign Tri-Chairs Chairs
•
•
•
Kim Earnest
Academic I, II; Administrative IV, UM System
882-3781
[email protected]
Rich Oliver
Frank Schmidt
Joe Scogin
Immediate Past Chair:
•Mitzi Clayton
Colleen Lamond
Administrative I,II,III; Retirees
882-2449
[email protected]
Honorary Chairs:
•President Gary Forsee
•Chancellor Brady Deaton
•Anne Deaton
Jill Oser
884-6705
[email protected]
Leadership Giving Tri-Chairs:
•Brenda Selman
•Bob Bailey
•Dick Otto
Pledge Forms delivered to:
MU/UM
•Lisa Wimmenauer
MU Administrative Services
882-7254
[email protected]
University of Missouri System Chairs:
•Beth Chancellor
•Betsy Rodriguez
•Cindy Pollard
Retirees Chair:
•Jack Miles
Regional Chairs:
Academic I: Lex Akers, Mary Beth Marrs, Marilyn Coleman
Academic II: Michael Porter, Shari Freyermuth
Administrative I, II, III, and IV: Teresa Davis, Todd Houts
3
What does a Unit Chair do?
As a Unit Chair, you’re the critical link between United Way and
your co-workers.
Welcome...
Unit Chairs
You’ll work closely with your Loaned Executive/United Way staff to
develop a fun and effective campaign that will make you and
Mizzou successful. You’ll talk about why you care about your community and answer your co-workers’ questions about United Way
and giving back to the community.
You’ll motivate and encourage your colleagues to get involved.
Besides feeling great that you’ve made a difference in midMissouri, you’ll enjoy some other important benefits as a United
Way Unit Chair.
You’ll get a chance to showcase your leadership and project
management skills. You’ll get to know and work with colleagues at
various levels of your organization. You’ll get the latest news from
United Way, giving you the support you need to run a solid
workplace campaign.
You’ll network with other Unit Chairs and the Loaned Executives
and you’ll personally take an active role in making positive change
in mid-Missouri.
Heart of Missouri United Way
understands that you
really want to make a
DIFFERENCE
right here in our community.
We are here to help you do that.
Tip…
Meet with your United Way Loaned Executive early in your planning process.
4
Starting Strong… before the campaign
Contents
•
•
•
Identify campaign strategies
Establish a campaign timeline
Check out the website
Identify Campaign Strategies
•
Attend the Campaign Launch and Training Session September 17th:
°
°
MU/UM: 7:30am at Mizzou Arena’s Clinton Club
UMHS: 10:00am at Acuff Auditorium, School of Medicine
•
Meet with United Way staff or Loaned Executive to develop campaign plan and strategies.
°
Include a plan to ensure that each and every employee is asked to give.
°
Develop your campaign timetable.
°
Make sure your colleagues know where to return their cards
•
Plan events like bake sales and contests to make the campaign fun!
•
Use incentives to gain new supporters and to increase the current giving levels, for example:
°
Every new giver that pledges at least $2.00 per week wins one chance to win an incentive prize.
°
Every current giver that increases his or her gift by $1.00 per week receives one chance to win an incentive prize,
those that increase by $2.00 per week receive two chances, etc.
Increase Participation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Conduct employee presentations; include testimonials or a speaker, show the campaign video (your Loaned Executive can help).
Develop incentives tied to participation.
Promote the campaign — conduct a department/employee rally, use posters, use emails, the office bulletin board, or other
internal communications channels.
Encourage interdepartmental competition.
Set a target to increase participation.
Follow up on questions, negative comments, and complaints (share these with United Way Staff and/or Loaned Executives)
Thank all contributors and volunteers.
Promote United Way year-round.
Reach out to those new employees who may not have given before.
Increase Current Gifts
•
•
•
•
Promote availability of payroll deduction.
Set a goal to increase giving over last year.
Ask each giver to give one hour’s pay per month or 1% of
their salary (known as “Fair Share”).
Develop a plan for year-round education.
Sample Meeting Agenda
• Department head says a few words in support of the cam•
•
•
•
•
5
paign
Show United Way campaign video
Speaker: You (Unit Chair), United Way Staff member or
Loaned Executive, United Way Partner Agency Rep.
Hand out pledge forms
Answer questions
Draw for a prize by exchanging prize tickets for completed
pledge cards (publicize in advance)
Establish a Campaign Timetable
YOUR CAMPAIGN TIMETABLE
ACTIVITY
TARGET
DATE(S)
STEP 1: DEVELOP A PLAN…
Develop timeline & tentative activities plan
Outline plan and bring with you to training on 9/17
STEP 2: ORGANIZE…
Recruit a team/committee to help
Train and organize your committee(s)
Plan promotional activities & incentives
Personalize employee pledge cards
Set dates for:
Employee Meetings
Agency Tours
Date forms are due/where to turn in
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE MATERIALS/RESOURCES…
Call Loaned Execs. to schedule agency tours,
speakers, video
Identify/order all materials, incentives, etc.
STEP 4: PUBLICIZE YOUR CAMPAIGN…
Display posters, thermometers, fact sheets
Hand out pledge forms
Conduct agency tours
Announce events (newsletter, e-mail, etc.)
STEP 5: MAKE THE ASK…AND FOLLOW THROUGH
Conduct the employee meetings
Follow-up with employees
Tabulate results
Complete all forms and report results to:
MU/UM: MU Business Services each Friday by noon
UMHS: Marjorie Matzes-Theis each Thursday by 4:30 pm
File plan, evaluation, results for review next year
STEP 6: THANK EVERYONE…
Thank campaign team/committee
Post results and thank employees
6
PERSON
RESPONSIBLE
DATE(S)
COMPLETED
Visit the website
Go to www.uwheartmo.org and click on the MIZZOU Campaign Tab
•
This is your location for all the assistance you might need for your campaign. Download posters, see the campaign video,
and check the status of the campaign with weekly reports.
2010 GOAL
$650,000
Week 5
$500,000
7
Achieving Results… during the campaign
Contents
•
•
•
•
•
Publicize the campaign
Emphasize Leadership Giving
Hold special events
Implement incentive strategies
Send in your materials
Publicize the Campaign
Listed below are some suggested ways you can publicize your campaign. Select those that are right for your unit.
•
•
Email information about campaign goal and incentives, to report progress, and thank volunteers and donors. Publish a calendar
of campaign events.
Ask department heads to talk about the campaign at staff meetings.
•
Record telephone messages with regularly-updated campaign information.
•
•
Communicate to employees through e-mail. Impact stories and virtual tours are available on our website. There are plenty, so you
can send messages throughout your campaign.
Decorate workplace with United Way posters and fliers (That’s How we LIVE UNITED).
•
Play the United Way Campaign Video at meetings or leave it on in the break room.
•
Hang a United Way banner over the entrance to your department.
•
Download customized posters from United Way.
•
Keep United Way on everyone’s mind with your creative ideas and events.
•
Start a LIVE UNITED Action Team (see www.uwheartmo.org for more information).
• Plan activities for LIVE UNITED WEEK—November 15th though November 19th.
Emphasize Leadership Giving
About United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society and Leadership Circle Membership
•
Alexis de Tocqueville Society, a nationally recognized level of giving created by United Way of America in 1972, honors persons who
have rendered outstanding commitment to their community through their generous contributions of $10,000 or more each year. Heart
of Missouri United Way now has 22 members.
•
Created in 1988, the Heart of Missouri United Way Leadership Circle currently has 661 members. The Leadership Circle recognizes
individuals who are extremely generous in their commitment to making a difference in our community with their gifts of $1,000 and
above. Through their partnership with Heart of Missouri United Way, members of the Leadership Circle demonstrate their dedication to
helping people and changing lives.
Alexis de Tocqueville Society
$10,000 +
Leadership Circle
$1,000-$9,999
Silver Level $1,000-$2,499
Gold Level $2,500-$4,999
Platinum Level $5,000-$9,999
8
Hold Special Events
All kinds of special events can have a positive impact on your fellow employees and the outcome of your United Way campaign. Events
create awareness of United Way services and programs, build good feelings about the benefits of United Way, increase employee
involvement, boost morale, and raise additional funds.
Creative Campaign Ideas
Auction
Baby Picture Match Contest
Bake Sales
Baseball/Basketball/Football Game
Book/Video Sale
Bowl-a-Thon
Car Wash
Casino Night
Casual Day
Preferred Parking Space
Children’s Drawing Contest
Chili Cook-Off Contest
Cooking Contest
Costume Contest
Coupon Books
Craft Sales
Crossword Puzzle Contest
Dunk Tank
Eating Contest
Elevator Races
Employee Cookbook Sale
Tricycle Races
Incentive for Fair Share Gift
Food Drive
Free Popcorn for wearing United Way pin
Free Throw Contest
Game Show Contest
Gift Certificate
Golf Tournament
Guessing Game (amount of candy in a jar)
Hallway Golf
Ice Cream Social
Lip-Sync Contest
LIVE UNITED Action Team Project
Luau
Lunch Auction
Luncheon
Miniature Golf
Mini-Olympics
Monopoly Contest
On-Line Auction
Paper Airplane Toss
Penny Wars
Picnic Basket Auction
Pie-in-the-Face Contest
Pizza Party
Prize Giveaway
Quilt Raffle
Radio Controlled Car Race (blindfolded teams)
Recipe Contest
Recycling Project
Scavenger Hunts
Silent Auction
Squirt Gun Fights
Tailgate Party
Talent Show
Ticket Giveaway
Trivia Contest
Trivial Pursuit Match
Ugly Tie/Shirt/Earring Contest
Vacation Day Sale/Raffle
Walk-A-Thon
Water Balloon Launch
Wii Sports Contests
Implement Incentive Strategies
Please consider soliciting vendors and local business (restaurants, etc) for gifts-in-kind.
Turn in your results
Please turn in any pledge forms you have received to:
MU/UM— Administrative Services in Jesse Hall on Fridays before noon.
UMHS—Marjorie Matzes Theis on Thursdays before 4:30pm.
Results will be counted each week, and campaign results will be reported throughout the campaign on the website.
9
Working Together… after the campaign
Contents
• Celebrate results internally
• Help us thank donors
• Evaluate campaign success
Celebrate Results Internally
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•
•
•
Report final results of the campaign by e-mail, posters, voicemail, etc. (check the website for campaign results).
Hold an event to announce the results in a public setting and provide refreshments as a token of appreciation.
Recognize incentive winners.
Provide special recognition to key campaign workers.
Help Us Thank Donors
One of United Way’s top priorities when it comes to communications is to ensure that donors feel appreciated. Please use the following
techniques to help United Way express our gratitude to your co-workers:
•
•
Use United Way LIVE UNITED-branded thank you posters to show your appreciation to all employees who gave “time, talent, or treasure” to the campaign.
Send out an e-mail to thank everyone for their participation in the campaign.
Evaluate Campaign Success
•
•
Meet with other Unit Chairs to “debrief” the campaign. While ideas are fresh in your mind, make a list of what you would do the same
and what you would do differently next year.
Save a copy of your notes and send a copy to your Loaned Executive as a starting point for next year’s campaign.
WE ARE
THE DONORS, VOLUNTEERS
AND STAFF, WHO GIVE
OUR HANDS,
OUR HEARTS
AND THE TIMES
OF OUR LIVES.
10
Staying Active… throughout the year
Contents
United Way has events, community engagement and activities all year
•
•
•
Check the www.uwheartmo.org website throughout the year to find out what events and activities Heart of Missouri United Way is
involved in.
Visit some of our 31 Partner Agencies and get involved in volunteer efforts.
Introduce the LIVE UNITED theme and what it means to LIVE UNITED in mid-Missouri.
What it means to LIVE UNITED:
Everything we do at United Way is in a relentless pursuit to advance the common good. We create opportunities for folks of all ages
and income levels to have a better life. There are basic things we all need to have a good life: a good education that leads to a stable
job that provides enough income to support a family through retirement. And of course, we need our health.
United Way’s goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems in our community. We assess
our community to determine the greatest needs. We gather the resources of time, talent, and treasure and invest them in three impact
areas: education, income and health. Lastly, we monitor our investments and our funded programs to make sure they are delivering
high-quality service to those who need it most. We invite our entire community to be part of the change and challenge our partners to
LIVE UNITED.
LIVING UNITED is a mission. It’s a credo. LIVE UNITED is our rally cry. It’s about living your life 365 days a year in a way that constantly connects you to others. It’s about blending your professional connections and your philanthropic passions. It’s reaching out a
hand to one and influencing the condition of all.
There are three key components to LIVING UNITED. When you GIVE, ADVOCATE and VOLUNTEER, you can make a true difference in your
community.
United Way is a:
• Convener, bringing people together to work on positive change.
• Collaborator, working with our partners to make a difference.
• Catalyst, building a bridge to lasting change.
• Change agent, focusing on and investing in community partners and initiatives.
Making the Case
Community matters:
• 1 in 4 people in our 7 county service area…maybe a coworker, family member or friend…have received help from a program
funded by United Way.
• Improving people’s lives strengthens our community.
• Our goal is long-lasting change that prevents problems from happening in the first place.
Partnership matters:
• United Way is engaging the community – individuals, businesses, government, and other non-profit organizations – to
address issues that are important in mid-Missouri.
United Way maximizes your investment by:
• Bringing the community together to work to improve lives.
• Strategically investing in programs and initiatives that produce demonstrated results.
• Leveraging your investment—combining your gift with the gifts of others—to create lasting changes in peoples’ lives and
the community.
11
Frequently Asked Questions
What is United Way?
•
•
•
•
We bring people together from across our community—people from education, government, labor, business, faith groups, non-profits,
and citizens, to tackle the issues that matter most. It requires fundraising, and working together.
We focus on the underlying causes — it’s not enough to feed a hungry family — we look to change the conditions that led to their
hunger in the first place.
United Way is focused on improving lives and building stronger communities. It takes a whole community working together to pull it
off.
We care about improving the overall quality of life in our community because we know that’s what matters to you.
Does my gift to United Way really make an impact? Who really benefits?
•
•
•
United Way multiplies the impact of your gift by leveraging your gift with matching grants, gifts-in-kind, and caring volunteers — the
result is that more can be done to improve people’s lives.
Because of the support from donors, United Way is able to generate other resources for our community. United Way has established a
set of values to guide decisions about appropriate types of resources to pursue and when to take advantage of opportunities to
leverage non-campaign support to advance our strategic interests. See our Community Report for more information.
Community volunteers, agency representatives and local issue experts have identified three impact areas and three community
initiatives:
Impact Areas
EDUCATION.—Helping children succeed in school
INCOME.—Helping families become self-sufficient
HEALTH.—Promoting good health for all ages.
Community Initiatives
EDUCATION—Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. In 1996, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort to benefit the children of
her home county in east Tennessee. Dolly decided to mail a brand new, age-appropriate book each month to every child under
the age of 5 in Sevier County. With the arrival of the first book, the classic “The Little Engine That Could™”, every child can now
experience the joy of finding their very own book in the mailbox. These moments continue each month until the child receives
“Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come” at the age of five.
Heart of Missouri United Way’s Women’s Initiative, through a partnership with Daniel Boone Regional Library, initiated Dolly
Parton’s Imagination Library program in Columbia in May 2008 and now has almost 2500 babies signed up with the program.
INCOME—Missouri 2-1-1. 2-1-1 is a fast, free and confidential way to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 call centers operate under national standards and are staffed by trained specialists who quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer them
to the help they seek. Information is available on a broad range of services, including food banks, affordable housing, health
resources, child care, after-school programs, elderly care, financial literacy, and job training programs.
Missouri 2-1-1 entered it’s third year of operation in 2010. In the seven county mid-Missouri area alone there were more than
3,500 calls in the past year.
HEALTH.—FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card. Three years ago, FamilyWize set a five-year goal of saving people in need $100
million on the cost of medicine. Uninsured and underinsured Americans, in communities large and small, in all 50 states, have
already saved more than $45 million dollars. Every day people are using FamilyWize cards to save more than $125,000, enabling
them to get the medicine they would not otherwise have been able to afford. The savings on the cost of the medicine is provided
by more than 65,000 participating local pharmacies that have agreed voluntarily to accept FamilyWize cards and lower the cost
of the medicine.
Heart of Missouri United Way launched the FamilyWize program in mid-Missouri in the Fall of 2009 through our 31 partner
agencies, 2-1-1 resources, community organizations and pharmacies.
12
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much did Heart of Missouri United Way raise last year?
A: Gifts in 2009 totaled $3,267,266 which includes employee campaigns, corporate gifts, individual pledges, and special event revenue.
Q: Who manages United Way?
A: We are a volunteer-driven organization. Our Board of Directors is composed of knowledgeable leaders from our community. The Board
establishes policy and approves allocations of resources to assure that Heart of Missouri United Way is responsibly managed.
Q: Why not give my money directly to one agency?
A: United Way multiplies your impact in improving the lives of people in your community. Giving to United Way is an investment in your
community. Your donation is combined with others and, last year, invested in 60 programs offered by 31 local human service agencies
that help people right here in our community to improve their lives.
Q: What are the advantages of giving to United Way?
A: To start, it feels good! Your gift goes to help people who really need it. Other reasons are:
• It’s local. Your money goes to use right here in mid-Missouri.
• It’s accountable. Volunteers decide which programs receive funds and ensure that services are high quality and meet the needs of the
community.
• It’s efficient. Utilizing hundreds of community volunteers helps to keep costs low.
• It’s effective. By bringing the community together, we accomplish much more than any one person or organization can alone.
Q: Why should I give to the Community Campaign?
A: If you want your gift to have the greatest possible impact, please do not designate your funds to a specific agency. This means that your
donation will go into the Community Care Fund. A gift to the Community Care Fund offers you a chance to join thousands of others who are
tackling our community’s toughest human care problems, and offers assurance that the programs you’re supporting will make the most
impact. There is no other organization or process that takes on the challenge of planning, coordinating and helping people succeed the
way United Way does. We bring people together to agree on what needs to be done, decide how to do it, and then hold ourselves
accountable for results.
Q: I want my gift to go to a specific Partner Agency. Why should I go through United Way to do that?
A: One gift to United Way means you’re making a gift to the entire community. Plus, you’ll have the convenience of payroll deduction.
United Way’s combined fund raising efforts allow area agencies to focus more time on their primary purpose – helping people. To keep
overall administrative costs down, United Way does require a minimum donation to each designated agency of $30.
Q: Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?
A: Yes. United Way is a nonprofit organization classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please consult your tax advisor for information on your specific situation.
Q: Who decides how much money the agencies get?
A: United Way funding decisions are made by local volunteers. Over 100 local volunteers put in many hours to invest United Way Campaign
dollars in local human service programs that are most needed and do the most good. Allocations volunteers are critical to our mission to
build a stronger community by investing in programs that help people improve their lives.
Q: How much of my contribution goes to local programs?
A: $.87 of every dollar committed to last year’s United Way campaign went directly to local community building initiatives.
Q: How does United Way know that my money really helps people?
A: United Way Allocations volunteers track results and community impact. Agency programs are funded based on the agency's ability to
achieve results in helping people improve their lives. As a condition of their funding, agencies are required to report results to United Way
on a regular basis.
13
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do agencies need money from United Way? Doesn't the government fund their programs?
A: United Way is the largest funder of human services aside from government in mid-Missouri. Agencies rely on several funding sources to
continue offering vital services to the community. In many cases, United Way funding helps agencies to expand their government funding
opportunities by demonstrating that the program has local financial support.
Q: My spouse gives at work. Why should I give?
A: If your spouse or partner supports United Way, that’s great! Your gift is just as important. Contributions based on your total family income help close the gap of unmet service needs in mid-Missouri. Additionally, we recognize couples who give $1,000 or more annually as
Leadership Circle Members through special events and publications.
Q: Are people forced into giving?
A: United Way has always supported the concept of voluntary giving. If giving monetarily is not an option we have opportunities to
volunteer and advocate in the community.
Q: I can’t afford to give to United Way.
A: Making ends meet is a concern for many of us. However, when you give to United Way, you are helping those who simply cannot make
ends meet. You are helping the jobless, the elderly, and others who need you more than you can imagine. Every person’s gift makes an
impact, and together they can add up to a life-changing difference for someone in need. By using payroll deduction, you can direct a small
amount of money from each paycheck to help others. As little as an hour’s pay per month can have a tremendous impact.
Q: Our employees and their families are suffering the effects of the economy. We can’t ask them to give.
A: You empower people when you give them the opportunity to give even a small amount to help others. We recommend allowing people to
make their own personal decisions. Often, it’s the people who have struggled and needed a helping hand from their community that want
to give one or two dollars per paycheck to help others. We recommend you offer your employees a fun, no pressure, education-focused campaign. At the very least, people will learn about places they or their friends can go for help or places to volunteer in our community.
Q: I volunteer – that’s my contribution.
A: Volunteer work is very important, but in order to continue providing services to our community, the agencies also need your financial
support.
Q: I never use agency services. Why should I give?
A: The strength of a community is directly influenced by health, happiness and the well being of its residents. Everyday Heart of Missouri
United Way programs are helping people – your friends, coworkers, and neighbors – deal with many health and human service problems,
and help to build a stronger community through education, support and development programs. Your continuing financial and volunteer
support assures that help is there for everyone when it is needed. While you and your family may not need help from these programs today,
you or someone you know may need them in the future. Chances are you have already been touched by agency services and did not even
know it!
Q: Do United Way agencies only serve the poor?
A: No. Agencies and programs receiving United Way funding serve not only low-income families, but offer programs used by everyone. For
instance, if your child is involved in Scouts or attended a youth development or after-school program, then you or a family member may
have taken part in a United Way-funded program. And even if your family never has to call on a domestic violence shelter, or a substance
abuse program, your contribution helps to assure these programs will be there if you need them.
Q: Who benefits from my gift?
A: In a word – everyone! Your neighbors, co-workers, even your own family may have used United Way funded programs. Emergency food,
shelter and other crisis prevention programs for those needing help are just the beginning. If you have a child in an after-school program
or in Scouts or an elderly parent who receives in-home care or meals, you have benefited. There are countless examples of people touched
by United Way that add up to creating a healthy, vibrant, caring community.
14
Heart of Missouri United Way 31 Partner Agencies
•Adult Day Connection
•Alzheimer’s Association
•American Red Cross
•Big Brothers Big Sisters
•Boone County Council on Aging
•Boonslick Heartland YMCA
•Boy Scouts America, Great Rivers Council
•Boys and Girls Club of Columbia Area
•Boys and Girls Town of Missouri a Great Circle Agency
•Family Counseling Center of Missouri
•Family Health Center
•Fun City Youth Academy
•Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland
•Harrisburg Early Learning Center
•Harvest House
•Job Point
•Lutheran Family and Children’s Services
•Mary Lee Johnston Community Learning Center
•Meals on Wheels
•Nora Stewart Nursery School
•OATS Transportation Services
•Phoenix Programs
•Rainbow House
•Services for Independent Living
•The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri
•The Salvation Army
•CHS Inc., The Shelter
•University YMCA
•Unlimited Opportunities
•UCP Easter Seals Child Development Center
•Voluntary Action Center
Heart of Missouri United Way also directly supports Community Initiatives and Programs
2-1-1 is a fast, free and confidential way to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 call centers operate under national standards and are staffed by trained specialists who quickly assess the callers’ needs and
refer them to the help they seek. Information is available on a broad range of services, including food banks,
affordable housing, health resources, child care, after-school programs, elderly care, financial literacy, and
job training programs.
Missouri 2-1-1 Entered it’s third year of operation in 2010. In the seven county mid-Missouri area
alone there were more than 3,500 calls in the past year.
In 1996, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort to benefit the children of her home county in east Tennessee.
Dolly decided to mail a brand new, age-appropriate book each month to every child under 5 in Sevier County. With
the arrival of the first book, the classic “The Little Engine That Could™”, every child can now experience the joy of
finding their very own book in the mailbox. These moments continue each month until the child receives “Look Out
Kindergarten Here I Come” at the age of five.
Heart of Missouri United Way’s Women’s Initiative, through a partnership with Daniel Boone Regional
Library, initiated Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Columbia in May 2008 and now has almost
2,500 babies signed up with the program.
Three years ago, FamilyWize set a five-year goal of saving people in need $100 million on the cost of
medicine. Uninsured and underinsured Americans, in communities large and small, in all 50 states,
have already saved more than $45 million dollars. Every day people are using FamilyWize cards to
save more than $125,000, enabling them to get the medicine they would not otherwise have been able
to afford. The savings on the cost of the medicine is provided by more than 65,000 participating local
pharmacies that have agreed voluntarily to accept FamilyWize cards and lower the cost of the medicine.
Heart of Missouri United Way launched the FamilyWize program in mid-Missouri in the Fall of
2009 through our 31 partner agencies, 2-1-1 resources, community organizations and
pharmacies.
15
DON’T JUST WEAR THE SHIRT.
LIVE IT.
16