The 2014 United Way Campaign kicked off Thursday morning at East Hills Mall with more than 200 people in attendance.
Missouri Western Football Coach Jerry Partridge was asked to give a motivational speech to get the campaign started. “I want to thank the people in this room,” Mr. Partridge said. “You’re the life blood, you’re the driving force.”

Football puns were thrown around the mall as this year’s campaign pacesetters announced the total amount raised for the campaign so far. With a 2014 campaign goal of $3.1 million pacesetters have given the campaign a good start with $832,914 raised to date.

“This year we’re going to go out there, roll up our sleeves and work hard and try to hit that goal,” said Campaign Chair Adam Stein. “92-cents of every dollar raised goes straight to the causes, straight to the 19 partner agencies and that is tremendous to help this community.”

The United Way campaign will conclude Nov. 6.