Columbus-Area United Way Fundraiser Raises Over $800K

COLUMBUS, Neb. - A strong push on Giving Tuesday allowed the Columbus-Area United Way to announce a big number to cap their general campaign. The United Way displayed the donation number of $834,578 on a campaign that began in September of this year. The money was collected through a variety of pushes, with over $500,000 raised in the pacesetter campaign, and other drives such as the Duck Races assisting in the effort. The final push on Giving Tuesday, which included hundreds of area companies donating generously, pushed the number even further. All the money collected will stay 99 percent local, going to such programs as the Columbus Y, Big Pals-Little Pals, Teammates and many more non-profit organizations. "When I look at giving back, and doing different donations, I really appreciate that the money stays local," says drive chair Joe Steffensmeier. Assistant drive chair Dann Smith "won" the online contest, where voters could choose between him and Steffensmeier on who gets a pie in the face. Smith, who will be drive chairman next year, started with the Columbus UW around 20 years ago as a volunteer. "As a volunteer, taking donations, taking some of the pamphlets and stuff to different donors in the community," says Smith. The Columbus Women's Club was collectively given the Volunteer of the Year award as well.