(Jefferson City, MO, February 3, 2017) United Way of Central Missouri officially closed the 2016 business year with its Annual Meeting, held Friday, February 3 at Capitol Plaza Hotel. During the luncheon event, elections were held for the 2017 Governing Body and Board of Directors, and supportive businesses and individuals were recognized for their incredible commitment to the United Way.
Thirty four members of the Governing Body were elected to three-year terms. Three new members of the Board of Directors, including Sharon Campbell of Missouri Farm Bureau; Andy Fechtel of Fechtel Beverage & Sales; and Mark Mueller of Jefferson Bank were elected to their first three-year terms. Six board members including Ryan Henry, Williams-Keepers; Father Stephen Jones, Helias Catholic High School; Allison Kingsbury, Farmer Companies; Terri Leifeste, News Tribune; Lori Massman, Scholastic; and Jim Walker, Modine Manufacturing were reappointed to a second three-year term.
United Way of Central Missouri honored three outgoing Board members: Brandy Bryant, Jefferson Bank; Greg Gaffke, Community Volunteer; and Brent VanConia, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. Janet Wear-Enloe, 2016 Board Chairman was recognized for her service; and Mike Hoelscher, Legends Bank, presented closing remarks as the 2017 Board Chairman. 2016 Campaign Co-chairs; Matt Tollerton, Central Bancompany and Jayne Dunkmann, Jefferson Bank were honored for their service and for exceeding the $1.825 million goal. Total projected campaign results to-date for the 2016 Campaign are over $1.935 million. Ryan Freeman, Freeman Mortuary; was named as Matt Tollerton’s predecessor to lead the 2017 Campaign with Jayne Dunkmann.
Several individuals and businesses were recognized for their outstanding service to the United Way of Central Missouri.
Live United Award: Dan Lenger
Dan Lenger, Jefferson Bank, was presented with the “Live United” award for his outstanding service to the United Way of Central Missouri. Dan has volunteered with the United Way of Central Missouri for over 25 years; on the Relocation Committee, Strategic Funding Committee and the Governing Body. He has served in his current role as the Fund Allocation Chairman and Ex-Officio member of the Board of Directors for ten years. In addition to his service to the United Way, he is active with the Home Builders Association, Host Lions Club, YMCA, Eagles Club, and serves on the Capital Region Medical Center Board of Governors. Dan’s exceptional commitment to the United Way and our community shows that he truly ‘Lives United’.
Ruth C. Meloy Award: Jeanne Brant
Jeanne Brant, Salvation Army Thrift Store Manager, was named the Ruth C. Meloy Award for Distinguished Service. This award recognizes a staff member of a United Way agency whose work and dedication exemplifies the mission of the United Way of Central Missouri. Jeanne has served as an employee of the Salvation Army for nineteen years in the role of Thrift Store Manager, and as such supervises and manages the staff and volunteers who work to keep this important operation successful. The Salvation Army relies heavily on the profits from the Thrift Store; therefore this person’s job is of major importance to the financial health of the organization. Under her leadership, the Thrift Store has profited $2.8 million for the Jefferson City Salvation Army. Considered a great friend and mentor to many, Jeanne also oversees volunteers that work in the thrift store due to a court order to obtain community service hours—whom enjoy their job with Jeanne and leave an inspired member of society. She makes it her personal goal to arm these volunteers with the skills and tools to get a job outside of the Thrift Store and be successful and self-sufficient.
Linda E. McAnany Award: Jim Vossen
Jim Vossen, Boys & Girls Club Board Member was named the Linda E. McAnany Volunteer of the Year Award. Jim has been an active Boys & Girls Club Board Member for over ten years. During those years, Jim has been a tireless advocate for the Boys & Girls Club, serving multiple terms in the position to ensure continuity for the agency. He guided the club through negotiations for the previous club location with the Department of Transportation, used his knowledge to help get tax credits to support operations and the capital campaign, and called on those he knows in our community - and those he doesn't - to help "Light the Way Home" for so many kids in our community. Whether it's approaching people for donations large and small, procuring a great new bus replacement, or selling an inordinate number of chicken dinner tickets, he is always there to support the Club. When he could have used his relationships after his retirement from Hawthorn Bank for his own benefit, he has instead used those for the betterment of the Club and the kids the Club serves. Boys and Girls Club staff and volunteers agree the Club could not have made the progress in the building effort and in ongoing operations without him.
Outstanding Campaign Coordinator: Britt Smith & The City of Jefferson Team
Britt Smith and the City of Jefferson team were named the 2016 Outstanding Campaign Coordinator. Britt and his team’s crucial role in the success of the City of Jefferson’s Campaign was exemplified in their incredible campaign results. From the City’s campaign rally, including an 80’s themed costume contest, to its first ever guns vs. hoses sand volleyball competition between the Jefferson City Police Department and the Jefferson City Fire Department, the City of Jefferson had a great campaign to support the United Way of Central Missouri.
Outstanding Pacesetter Awards, William W. Quigg Awards, Outstanding Signature Event Award & Live United Award
Six central Missouri businesses received honors for their outstanding efforts during the Community Campaign. The Outstanding Pacesetter awards were presented to GFI Digital (Small Firm Division) and Osage Ambulances (Major/Large Firm Division). The William W. Quigg Awards were presented to Wren Solutions (Small Firm Division) and Ameren Missouri (Major/Large Firm Division). Coca-Cola Bottling Company was awarded the Outstanding Signature Event Award for its successful promotion it held during the Community Campaign. Scholastic was presented the Live United Award for its incredible campaign efforts and results.
Top Five Employee Workplace Campaigns
The United Way also recognized five local businesses for their workplace employee campaigns and corporate giving. The top five employee workplace campaigns were; First Place: Central Bank & Central Technology Services; Second Place: Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign; Third Place: Scholastic; Fourth Place: Ameren Missouri; and Fifth Place: JCMG.
Top Five Corporate Donors
The top five corporate donors were; First Place: Diamond Pet Foods; Second Place: Speedline Technologies; Third Place: Central Bank & Central Technology Services; Fourth Place: Farmer Holding Company; and Fifth Place: Hawthorn Bank.
“We are so grateful for the devotion of these deserving individuals and businesses, who have gone above and beyond in supporting the United Way and its mission to bring hope for a better tomorrow in our community, ” said Janet Wear-Enloe, 2016 United Way Board Chairman.
President Ann Bax said in reflection of 2016 and to conclude the 2017 United Way of Central Missouri Annual Meeting, “To the volunteers, advocates and supporters in this audience, and across this community, I offer my deepest appreciation for what you do. United we battle for more than survival; we battle for the dreams that could be. We fight for those who need a voice and for those whose names we do not know. We have one life. To live better we must live UNITED.”
The United Way of Central Missouri is grateful to its Annual Meeting sponsor, KOMU-TV8.
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About United Way of Central Missouri
With more than 400 volunteers, United Way of Central Missouri and its 28 partner agencies touch nearly 89,000 lives in our community, helping people live their best possible lives. We provide services in seven counties in Central Missouri; including Camden, Cole, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, and southern Callaway; to create community solutions that improve life for our families, friends, and neighbors. Since our inception in 1925, United Way of Central Missouri has partnered with local businesses and organizations to remain a vibrant resource in our community. For more information about United Way of Central Missouri, please visit UnitedWaycemo.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@UnitedWayCeMo) and Instagram (@unitedwaycemo).
Media Contact
Amber Gibler
amber.gibler@unitedwaycemo.org
(573) 636-4100
