By MATT PIKE
The United Way of Greater St. Joseph kicked off its annual campaign this morning, announcing this years campaign theme along with the amount the pacesetter campaign raised.
This year’s campaign theme is Powering Possibility which highlights what is possible when individuals, businesses and organizations come together to strengthen the local community. United Way officials announced that pacesetter organizations and their employees have already pledged $724,434.18 to the 2026 United Way Campaign. The kick-off also highlighted 2026 Campaign Co-Chairs Mike Hurst and Royal {RT} Turner, who will help lead this year’s campaign and encourage businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the community to get involved.
“We are incredibly grateful to our pacesetter organizations and their employees for starting this campaign strong,” Campaign Director at United Way of Greater St. Joseph Renita Neville says in a news release. “Their generosity is a powerful example of what can happen when our community works together. Every pledge, partnership and person who gets involved helps create opportunities and open doors for our neighbors.”
As the 2026 Campaign gets underway, United Way will continue visiting businesses and organizations throughout the community to share how local contributions make an impact. Funds raised during the 2026 United Way Campaign will support United Way Partner Agencies and Initiatives providing important services to individuals and families throughout Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas in 2027.
Community volunteers will meet in December to help determine how dollars raised through the Campaign will be allocated among United Way’s Partner Agencies, Initiatives and grants.
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