The Audrain County United Way is looking for funding help and some new blood to spread the message.

Recently the agency held its kickoff with October designated as the official funding campaign month. 

“We’re letting people know we’ll be reaching out,” United Way Board President Bethany Collins told the Ledger.

Collins said the agency will be sending out emails and letters asking for donations. Signs are also hanging up around town to remind folks of the need. The agency held a big fundraiser this summer, The Power of the Purse, which helped tremendously towards the United Way’s annual goal.

This year’s goal will be to raise $100,000 for 2024 which would be almost twice as much as what the agency was able to fund this year. The United Way doesn’t do anything specific, but rather supports and funds other area agencies who are focused on specific areas. Most of the money stays in Audrain County but some agencies outside of the area like Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Columbia get funding because of the work they do in Audrain County.

“We want to keep our funds in Audrain County or at least help Audrain County citizens,” Collins said.

In the past, the United Way was always able to meet its funding needs but COVID-19 happened and it took a big chunk out of the agency's efforts. Collins said they want to get back to previous funding levels.

“We want to make sure we can continue that,” Collins said. “We feel we’re very beneficial to our area agencies.”

Although October is the big month for United Way the agency gets support from the community all year long. Executive Director Caleb Floyd told the Ledger that many local companies have employees who have United Way donations taken straight from their paychecks.

“There’s a lot of businesses in town where their employees are giving all year round for the campaign,” Floyd said.

This year 10 agencies have applied for funding but in the past, there have been more. Some rely on the funding more than others.

“Some of them rely a lot on it and some of them have specific things they use it for,” Floyd said. “There are other Audrain County agencies that could use some more funding if we had it available.”

The agency is also in need of someone who can recruit for the agency and solicit donations. Collins said they need someone who wants to work.

“It’s a fulfilling job,” Collins said. “It’s very hands-on.”

Collins and Floyd both said losing just one of the agencies they fund would be detrimental to the entire community. Collins said recently board members were concerned about the agency’s survival. Collins said it’s important to take care of the past, current and future citizens of Mexico and the best way to do that is to make sure local agencies are strong. She gave the Mexico Senior Center as an example.

“There’s going to be one day I’m going to want to access some of these services,” Collins said. 

The agencies the United Way helps include: A+ for Mexico Education, Agape House of Vandalia, Audrain County Crisis Intervention Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Central Missouri Community Action, Children’s Therapy & Early Education School Inc., Mexico Senior Center, St. Joseph Early Learning Center, The Help Center, and Uplift Mid-MO.