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The 2018 United Way of Central Kansas Campaign that started last fall was a close one in regards to reaching the goal of $275,000. With 99 percent of the total staying local, it was integral to reach this target in order to guarantee funding for the 23 community partners that UWCK funds each year, Executive Director Gaila Demel said. The final push toward reaching that goal came from CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions. With a donation to United Way of Central Kansas of $14,000, the goal was reached. “Without this generous donation from CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions, many of our community partners would have been impacted with a decrease in their annual funding,” Demel said. The UWCK 2019 drive kicked off during a gala event Aug. 18, with the theme “Step up to the Plate for United Way.” The goal this year is again $275,000.