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
(###)
Posts
