Neighbors Helping Neighbors Joplin Disaster Relief...How you can help

United Way organizations throughout the country, including United Way of Central Missouri, are reaching out to their sister organization in Joplin to identify ways to help them help their community recover from this devastating disaster. In disasters of this type, the long-term recovery becomes a significant issue. That is where United Ways of Missouri will be focusing their efforts; supporting programs designed to help with long-term recovery including housing, job creation, health issues and other programs aimed at reestablishing some sense of normalcy in a community that will be faced with rebuilding both structures and lives.
There are many options to support the Joplin tornado relief and recovery effort:
Volunteering
People wishing to volunteer or those with questions are encouraged to call United Way 2-1-1 for additional information. The number to call is 2-1-1 on most phones or you can call (800) 427-4626. Due to the volume of calls to 2-1-1 inquiring about volunteer opportunities for the Joplin area, 2-1-1 Missouri call center has asked that those interested in volunteering, visit their website www.211missouri.org and sign up online.
In four days, 8,000 people have signed up through United Way 2-1-1 to volunteer with Joplin tornado relief efforts. That’s nearly one person every 30 seconds. Thank you. We have been assured you will be needed in the weeks and months ahead and that you will be contacted as help is needed.
Again, disaster officials are discouraging anyone from traveling to Joplin this weekend. The people on the front lines are still in search and recovery mode and additional volunteers would be a hindrance to their recovery efforts. It will take at least another week before general volunteers will be needed to assist with clean-up activities and other projects.
Donating
To support immediate recovery, sheltering and mass care efforts, you can direct your funds to the American Red Cross Joplin Disaster Relief Fund. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims. You may also call the local Red Cross Office at (573) 635-1132, mail your donation to American Red Cross, 431 E. McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO 65101, or text “RED CROSS” to 90999 for a $10 donation. Internet users can make a secure on-line donation by visiting www.redcrosscapitalarea.org
If you would like to help through your local United Way, please send your checks to United Way of Central Missouri, 1025 Southwest Blvd. Suite B., Jefferson City, MO 65109, marked JOPLIN TORNADO DISASTER RELIEF and all funds received will be distributed to the United Way of Southwest Missouri (Joplin) with no administrative or overhead fees.
OTHER TIPS
DO wait for a call for volunteers before going to Joplin.
Your safety and the safety of the residents of Joplin are extremely important in a disaster situation. It is safest for everyone right now to allow the first responders to continue their work and allow for clean up in the weeks and months to come.
DO sign up with reputable organization for volunteering.
There are many organizations working right now to create safe and meaningful projects for when the time comes. It’s safer for everyone if you sign up with an organization rather than showing up.
DON’T send unsolicited items.
As requests are made for certain items and supplies, donating to fill these needs is very generous. However, unsolicited items will inundate the town and could potentially harm relief efforts. At this time all non-financial donations should be registered on www.aidmatrix.org/fema.
DO keep helping.
It’s clear that we live in a generous community and a generous nation. We cannot thank you enough for everything that you’re doing to help people in need and for Living United!

United Way Announces 2011 Campaign Co-Chairs and One-time Grants

The United Way of Central Missouri announced this year’s campaign leadership and one-time grant recipients at a news conference this morning.

Two longtime Jefferson City area residents and community leaders will serve as this year’s Campaign co-chairs. Ann Littlefield was a National Bank Examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency until retiring 27 years ago to become a full-time mother and community volunteer. She currently serves on the United Way Foundation Board of Directors; Board of The Food Bank for Central and Northwest Missouri and chaired their" Tigers Score Against Hunger" fundraising campaign. She is the lead coordinator for the Food Bank’s “Buddy Pack” program. Ann has served on the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service board, the Capital Arts Board and held many PTA offices throughout her children's school years. She is married to Ken, President of Central Bank and they have three children, Amanda, Lindsay and Brett.

John Kehoe has been an active United Way Board volunteer and a strong supporter of many of our partner agencies. He currently serves as Chair of the United Way Osage County Advisory Board, and like Ann, is involved with Food Bank’s Buddy Pack Program. He has served on the United Way Board of Directors, having held the positions of Vice-chair, Chairman, and Past-Chairman. He has served on various other United Way committees, and has played a critical role in past campaigns as a team leader and mentor to new campaign team members. John generously donates his time and talent throughout the community. John is married to Patty, and they have three married children, Christy, Kate and Dan; and have seven grandchildren.

“It is a privilege and an honor to have these two individuals lead our community campaign this year’, said Ann Bax, President/CPO of United Way of Central Missouri. ‘They will be a tremendous asset to the United Way and our volunteers.”

The United Way of Central Missouri Board of Directors approved $50,970 for one-time grants to seven agencies; American Red Cross,Community Health Center, Rape & Abuse Crisis Service, Salvation Army, Jefferson City Day Care Center, River City Habitat for Humanity, and Job Point. The United Way received twenty grant requests totaling $299,505. The goal of the United Way is to continue to fund additional programs that provide services in our four county service area.

The United Way of Central Missouri’s community campaign is held annually to help fund the work of its 25 partner agencies and programs. The United Way of Central Missouri serves Cole, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, and southern Callaway counties. Over 100,000 individuals were served by these agencies last year. For more information, please call the United Way Office at (573) 636-4100 or visit www.unitedwaycemo.org.

United Way Holds Annual Meeting

The United Way of Central Missouri officially began the 2011 business year with the Annual Meeting, held earlier today at Capitol Plaza Hotel. During the luncheon event, elections were held for the 2011 Governing Body and Board of Directors. Also, businesses and individuals were recognized for their commitment to the United Way in 2010.
Fifty two members of the Governing Body were elected to three-year terms. Three new members of the Board of Directors, Brandy Bryant, Jefferson Bank, Greg Gaffke, CenturyLink, and Brent VanConia, St. Mary’s Health Center were also elected to three-year terms. Five board members, Didier Aur, Helias Catholic High School, Faye Edwards, Scholastic, Gaye Suggett, Ameren Missouri, Ann Whaley, and Warren Krech, Zimmer Radio Group were re-appointed to another three-year term.
The United Way of Central Missouri recognized three outgoing Board members, Mark Towner, Towner Communications, Stan Koenigsfeld, Learfield Communications, and Duane Schreimann, Schreimann, Rackers, Francka & Blunt. Faye Edwards, Scholastic, will serve as the 2011 Board Chairman. Also, the 2010 Campaign Co-chairs, Bernie Fechtel, Fechtel Beverage & Sales and Debora Snyder, CPA were honored for their service and leading the community campaign by exceeding the goal of $1.62 million. In addition, Linda McAnany, retired President/CPO(2001-2010) was honored for her years of service to the United Way.
In addition, several individuals and businesses were recognized for their service to the United Way. Debbie Hamler, Special Learning Center, was presented with the Ruth C. Meloy Award for Distinguished Service. That award recognizes a staff member of a United Way agency whose work and dedication exemplifies the mission of the United Way of Central Missouri. “During those 26 years, she has consistently demonstrated her love for the children who attend the Special Learning Center and the parents of those children. She works tirelessly to educate the public as to the services the Special Learning Center provides for the community, and to raise money to build a facility that will house the many children in our community with special needs. Much like how the United Way manages it finances and utilizes every dollar, she manages the Special Learning Center in a manner that maximizes the benefit from every dollar paid in fees or generated through donations and grants. She “encourages” supporters of the Special Learning Center to donate time, money, and in-kind services to the school and then oversees each dollar spent to ensure that funds are spent wisely”, said a volunteer from Special Learning Center.
Mark Dumus, volunteer for The Food Bank for Central and Northeast MO, received the Volunteer of the Year Award. “He has been a driving force in helping The Food Bank reach more hungry people in Cole County. Because of this person, First United Methodist Church became an agency of The Food Bank in 2004 and started our first summer feeding program in the county called Food 4 Kids. When we started the Buddy Pack program in 2005 at East School, our Volunteer of the Year was involved in helping grow the program by recruiting the volunteers to pack the back packs every week and deliver the packs to the school. The Food Bank now partners with 12 schools in Jefferson City, and Cole County became one of our first “Buddy Banks” where volunteers pack buddy packs for a regional area that includes a total of 25 schools in Cole, Miller Moniteau, Morgan and Osage counties. Because of this coordinated effort, nearly 2,000 children per week are getting nutritious food. And if that’s not enough this individual has spearheaded volunteer efforts for the past two years with the Jefferson City Letter Carrier food drive.” Martin Luther King once said “Let people say that I tried to feed the hungry”. Our 2010 Volunteer of the Year, Mark Dumas, feeds the hungry every day with a gentle spirit and a compassionate heart,” said Peggy Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of The Food Bank.
Three central Missouri businesses received honors for their outstanding efforts during the Community Campaign. The Outstanding Pacesetter award was presented to Capital Region Medical Center. The William W. Quigg Awards were presented to Modine Manufacturing and Mid America Bank. These awards were named after an individual who was not only a strong supporter of the United Way of Central Missouri but also the entire business community.


The United Way also recognized Missouri State employees for an outstanding Missouri State Charitable Campaign. In addition, five local companies were recognized for their workplace employee campaigns. This year, the top five workplace employee campaigns were: first place, Central Bank & Central Technology Services, second place, Ameren Missouri, third place, Scholastic Inc., fourth place, Jefferson City Public Schools, and fifth place was Jefferson Bank /Central Mortgage Company.
The United Way of Central Missouri Annual Meeting was sponsored by KOMU-TV8. For more information about the Annual Meeting, please contact Theresa Verslues or Ann Bax at 573-636-4100


(###)