Fundraising efforts for the United Way of Greater St. Joseph are kicking off this week.

The campaign kicks off Thursday, Sept. 3 at the East Hills Shopping Center in the Sunporch Cafe. The event will be held from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

“This is a great opportunity for us to share some of the results from our pacesetter companies as well as announce to the public that we are kicking off our campaign for the 2015 year,” said Sarah Weaver, United Way Campaign Director. “Our pacesetter companies include our United Way office and our 18 partner agencies and another handful of companies who invest in the campaign early on and pave the way for the public to invest as well.”

Last year the United Way raised $3,145,542. Weaver said this year’s goal will be announced at the campaign kickoff.

The campaign will run through Nov. 5

“It’s really important that we kick off the campaign with a bang and really get going full-speed ahead because we are helping support our 18 partner agencies and seven initiatives,” Weaver said. “The work that our partner agencies do is just so crucial to our community.”

Partner agencies include American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri, Bartlett Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Inc., The CENTER, A Samaritan Center, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Community Missions Corporation, Family Guidance Center, InterServ, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, Northwest Missouri Community Services, Pony Express Council, Boy Scouts of America, St. Joseph Safety and Health Council, The Salvation Army, Specialty Industries of St. Joseph, Inc., United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Missouri, YMCA, and the YWCA.

The Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri ended its relationship with the United Way earlier this year.

 

Upcoming United Way Campaign public events include:

· Sept. 3-United Way Campaign Kickoff; 7:15-8:15 a.m. at East Hills Shopping Center Sunporch Cafe

· Sept. 24-United Way Campaign report lunch; 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe fellowship hall

· Oct. 31-United Way Campaign report at Missouri Western home football game half-time (afternoon game/ exact time yet to be determined)

· Nov. 5-United Way Campaign Victory Dinner; 6-8:15 p.m. at Missouri Western Fulkerson Center