United Way Celebrates 2017 at Annual Meeting

(Jefferson City, MO, February 9, 2018) United Way of Central Missouri officially closed the 2017 business year with its Annual Meeting, sponsored by KOMU 8, held earlier today at Capitol Plaza Hotel. During the luncheon event, elections were held for the 2018 Governing Body and Board of Directors, and supportive businesses and individuals were recognized for their incredible commitment to the United Way.

“The mission of the United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community and as I look around this room I can truly see and feel that caring power,” says Lori Massman, 2018 United Way Board Chairman, as she thanks the audience for its incredible support of the United Way and the mid-Missouri community.

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, thank you. My role with the United Way has opened my eyes to the unimaginable struggles and trials that so many in our community endure on a daily basis. Thank you for standing United with us and understanding that in truly great community like ours, people take care of each other. 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 8. In addition to the individuals and businesses recognized below, attached is a complete list of the nominees who were elected to office today.

Thirty four members of the Governing Body were elected to three-year terms, and ten Governing Body members were reappointed to a second three-year term. Eight new members of the Board of Directors, including Corey Backues, GFI Digital; Lynne Bateman, Landmark Bank Home Mortgage Center; Gregg Bexten, Hawthorn Bank; Kerri Jenkins, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital; Mark Reading, Community Volunteer; Matt Tollerton, Central Bancompany; Connie Vaughan, Candlewood Suites; and John Wheeler, Cole County Government were elected to their first three-year terms. Five board members including Gaspare Calvaruso, Capital Region Medical Center; Mike Hoelscher, Legends Bank; Claudia Kehoe, Community Volunteer; Dave Meyer, Central Bank; and Lori Simms, State of Missouri were reappointed to a second three-year term.

United Way of Central Missouri honored thirty one outgoing Governing Body members, in addition to seven outgoing Board Members: Brian Francka, Schriemann, Rackers, Francka & Blunt; Mark Kaiser, Community Volunteer; Dan Lenger, Jefferson Bank; Jim Perch, Community Volunteer; Lance Stegeman, Hawthorn Bank; Greg White, Community Volunteer; and Janet Wear-Enloe, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. The 2017 Board Chairman, Mike Hoelscher of Legends Bank, was recognized for his service; and Lori Massman, Scholastic, presented closing remarks as the 2018 Board Chairman. 2017 Campaign Co-Chairs; Jayne Dunkmann, Jefferson Bank and Ryan Freeman, Freeman Mortuary were honored for their service and for exceeding the $1.875 million goal and reaching the record-breaking $2 million mark. Total projected campaign results to-date for the 2017 Campaign are over $2.143 million. Melissa Dunn, Huber & Associates; was named as Jayne Dunkmann’s predecessor to lead the 2018 Campaign with Ryan Freeman.

Several individuals and businesses were recognized for their outstanding service to the United Way of Central Missouri.

Live United Award: John Kehoe, Osage Ambulances
John Kehoe, President of Osage Ambulances in Linn, was awarded the “Live United” honor for his outstanding service to the United Way of Central Missouri. John has served the United Way of Central Missouri for over 20 years as a Board member, Campaign Co-Chair, Campaign Leadership Team member and team leader, and Fund Allocation volunteer. Through his leadership role, John has made it his personal mission to build a culture of United Way support at Osage Ambulances. He introduced a United Way workplace campaign to his team 20 years ago, and what begin with two givers during that first year has grown to a consistent 98% employee participation, engaging approximately 100 employees to give. Every year during campaign he spends countless hours sharing his company’s United Way story, and has influenced many businesses to begin a United Way workplace campaign. As John says… your campaign may start small, but it just needs to start. John also picks up the buddy packs from the packing station in Jefferson City and delivers them to the schools in Osage County every week, so hungry kids can have food on the weekends. John’s exceptional commitment to the United Way and our community shows that he truly ‘Lives United’.

Ruth C. Meloy Award: Donna Schedit, Little Explorers Discovery Center
Donna Scheidt, Little Explorers Discovery Center, 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. Donna is passionate, caring and enthusiastic about helping the clients she serves at Little Explorers Discovery Center. She goes above and beyond every day—as evidenced by the Center’s remodel and transformation under her leadership. She truly cares about the families served at her agencies, and not only makes sure that the children served are loved but also educated by qualified, well-trained staff. In addition to the mission of the Center, Little Explorers Discovery Center also provides parenting classes to help address some of the issues many of her families face. Her strive to identify needs and provide help when possible by working together with other United Way partner agencies shows her immense passion for maximizing the opportunities and services at Little Explorers Discovery Center. During her 35 years with the agency, Donna’s passion and enthusiasm has not waivered.

Linda E. McAnany Award: Elizabeth Long, The Salvation Army
Elizabeth Long, a volunteer for The Salvation Army was named the Linda E. McAnany Volunteer of the Year Award for her Distinguished Service. Elizabeth has raised an estimated $180,000 for The Salvation Army during the 28 years she has served as a Red Kettle bell ringer at Schulte’s Fresh Foods in Jefferson City. She began ringing bells six days a week, and now at the age of 80 has continued her incredible service by volunteering from 2 – 7:30 pm four days a week. For many in our community, seeing Elizabeth ringing bells at Schulte’s is the first sign that Christmas time has arrived. Those who gave to her kettle when they were young are now bringing their children to put money in her kettle. She inspires people to have hearts that give. Although she will never meet all the people her volunteerism has helped, she plans to continue ringing her bell in the Schulte’s lobby because she knows that the sound of that bell is for many, the sound of hope ringing across our community.

Outstanding Campaign Coordinator: Karen Cade, Pathways, a program of Compass Health
Karen Cade, President of Family Counseling Center of Missouri, Inc. and Vice President of United Way partner agency Pathways, a program of Compass Health; was named the 2017 Outstanding Campaign Coordinator. Karen’s role in the success of Pathway’s Campaign is evidenced by their incredible campaign results, which have more than doubled in the last four years. Karen’s role in the growth of their campaign and expressing to co-workers the importance of Pathway’s partnership with the United Way and why they should give make her very deserving of the Outstanding Campaign Coordinator Award.

Outstanding Pacesetter Awards, William W. Quigg Awards, Outstanding Signature Event Award & Rookie of the Year Award
Six central Missouri businesses received honors for their outstanding efforts during the Community Campaign. The Outstanding Pacesetter awards were presented to Schnucks (Small Firm Division), recognizing a 36% increase in its campaign over last year, and Providence Bank (Major/Large Firm Division), noting an all-time high of $21,635 raised for its internal campaign. The William W. Quigg Awards, honoring the late Bill Quigg, were awarded to two organizations for their outstanding campaigns. Bartlett & West (Small Firm Division) was honored for their energetic and fun-filled campaign, including a community-wide Trivia Night; and Ameren Missouri (Major/Large Firm Division) was honored for its 11% increase in its already enthusiastic campaign, noting that the business had 90 Capital Leaders that gave $500 or more. Jefferson Bank was awarded the Outstanding Signature Event Award for its unique, community-wide raffle of its Tiny Bank replica of Jefferson Bank held during the Campaign. Jefferson City Autoplex was named Rookie of the Year for its incredible efforts and results for its first ever United Way Campaign, hosting its own community-wide raffle of a 1971 MG Midget to benefit the United Way.

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 & Central Mortgage Company; Second Place: Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign; Third Place: Scholastic; Fourth Place: Ameren Missouri; and Fifth Place: Hawthorn Bank.

Top Five Corporate Donors
The top five corporate donors were; First Place: Diamond Pet Foods; Second Place: ITW EAE; Third Place: Central Bank, Central Technology Services & Central Mortgage Company; Fourth Place: Osage Ambulances; and Fifth Place: Farmer Holding Company.

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About United Way of Central Missouri
With more than 1,100 volunteers, United Way of Central Missouri and its 28 partner agencies touch more than 80,000 lives in our community, helping people live their best possible lives by fighting for the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of every person in our community. 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. Get the latest on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@unitedwaycemo).

 

Media Contact

Amber Brondel
amber.brondel@unitedwaycemo.org
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