United Way begins 2019 fundraising campaign

The United Way of Northeast Missouri hosted its campaign kickoff for 2019 at White Oaks Barn Thursday. Throughout the evening, the thermometer onstage at the venue began to fill in as pledges were made to help the United Way reach its $170,000 fundraising goal. The local chapter of the United Way is part of a national nonprofit organization that works with a coalition of charities to pool fundraising and support efforts. The Northeast Missouri organization is focused on promoting education, health and financial stability and works from 13 organizations throughout its six-county service region. Bill Castles, the executive director of the United Way of Northeast Missouri, said the organization changed its name from the United Way of Adair County this year in recognition of the work its partner organizations. “Our agencies are expanding, doing more work, and our programs now are expanding out to help more people,” Castles said. “It’s really been a neat thing to see, it’s pretty exciting and besides, what the hell, at 70, what else would I do?” The use of the venue was donated, along with drinks from the Kirksville Guild of Brewers and food from a number of area businesses, including the Wooden Nickel, Maxwell’s and the Cake Stand. The event featured live music and a raffle that visitors could enter by getting a stamp from a representative of each of the 13 partner agencies. Carla Hustead is the executive director of Hospice of Northeast Missouri, one of the nonprofit agencies the United Way supports. She attended the event to represent the program. “All 13 of us are present to let people know where their money is going and that it’s being well-spent, and to encourage them to give to United Way,” Hustead said.