United Way of Pettis County Celebrates Successful Campaign

United Way of Pettis County celebrated another successful campaign Thursday at Best Western, 32nd and Limit, with an awards luncheon.

A total of $400,000 was raised during the 2019-2020 campaign, which began in March of last year.

Campaign Chair Julie Slocum was very pleased with the results and plans to do it again with the next United Way campaign.

“We've changed so much with the organization this year, and for an increase of $25,000, is just phenomenal. People are starting to learn why we're changing. I'm just so excited, and I know we have to take baby steps, we can't do this overnight,” Slocum commented after the luncheon.

Slocum added that there were 28 companies with new or increased giving in this campaign.

United Way of Pettis County Executive Director Staci Harrison noted that her executive committee will remain virtually the same this coming campaign season, “so we can keep that momentum going.”

The biggest success Harrison saw was that the donors were able to identify how their dollars were being invested in Pettis County, she noted.

“They can relate to childhood development, early childhood literacy, hunger, our 'set the table' initiative, and training people and give them to tools to help remove barriers,” Harrison said, “and also with mental health or substance abuse. We all know somebody who struggles with one, or the other, or both. I do believe that was a catalyst to the success of our campaign.”

Vie President Ben McFarlin listed the United Way's 2020 Grant Programming Investment organizations:
CACTUS
Boys and Girls Club of West Central Missouri
Green Ridge R-VIII
Blind of Central Missouri
APD
Pettis County 4H
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Show-Me Christian Youth Home
Children’s Mercy MI & Substance Abuse
CASA
Compass Health Hunger
Meals on Wheels
Sedalia Senior Center
Food Bank of Central & NE MO
Community Cafe Income Stability
Open Door
PCCP
American Red Cross

United Way Board President Megan Hartman introduced new board members:

Three-year term board member is Claire Winkelmann of Central Bank of Sedalia

Two-year term board member is Darren Grove of Equity Bank.

Industry: Kim Birdsong and Stacy Brown
Business: Jared Johns
Government: Jason Myers & Arlene Silvey
Education: Polly Grapes
Organization: Not yet filled

Hartman then recognized board members Chris Sgobbo, Chris Lamb, Deidre Esquivel, Roger Austin, Suzanne Beckwith and Shannon Ramey for their loyal service to the UWPC Board.

Operations Manager Rob Creighton accepted a media award for Townsquare Media from Harrison.

The Sedalia Democrat and KDRO-KPOW also received Media Awards.

Stanley Black & Decker received the Pacesetter Award for raising $29,839 for the campaign, said Slocum.

Slocum then recognized the Gold Award honorees.

Gold Awards are given to companies or organizations who gave $1,000 or more to the campaign. Collectively, 30 companies gave more than $361,341 to the campaign. "So truly they are the pillar of our campaigns," Slocum said.

Bothwell Regional Health Center
Callis Integrated Marketing
Central Bank of Sedalia
City of Sedalia
County Distributing
Duke Manufacturing
Fischer Concrete
Gardner Denver
General Cable
Heritage Fabrication
Katy Trail Community Health
Liberty Utilities
Maxion Wheels
Owen's Corning
Pettis County Health Department
PrintLynx
ProEnergy Services
Sedalia Democrat
Sedalia Public Schools
Septagon
SFCC
Simmons Bank
SMC Electric
Smithton Schools
Stanley Black & Decker
Starline Inc.
Tyson Foods
Union Pacific
US Bank
WireCo World Group

Special Award Recognition was presented to:
Callis Integrated Marketing & Liberty Utilities for 100% Employee Giving
Individual Volunteer Awards went to Amy Close & Donna Peaks.

State Fair Community College  was recognized for its Scream Shout & Run It All Out 5K event
The Coalition Partner Award went to Open Door Service Center

A Marketing Support Award went to Callis Integrated Marketing

Gardner Denver, Liberty Utilities, AME andSBD were recognized for the help with the United Way's Fall Car Classic.

Two companies won the Bronze Award this time after tying in points:

County Distributing increased their giving from the previous campaign with 83 percent of their employees participating. They are consistent leaders in support of the Day of Caring, and community partners for the Community Celebration. Very active and engaged with the UWPC.

Gardner Denver has consistently, in the last four years, lead with the highest percentage of employees participating in their campaign. In 2019, 76 percent of their employees participated. They had a total of 192 employee of 251 participate.

Of the 192 employees who pledged,186 pledged $100 or more and are a Century Club member. G-D hosts the United Way's annual Fall Car Classic.

Stanley Black & Decker won the Silver Award:

“They held a strong campaign, utilized the UW as a resource at their Friends and Family Day, were the lead sponsor for the Addressing Hunger Coalition with the donation of 130 electric skillets. They are big supporters of the Fall Car Classic,” Harrison noted.

Tyson Foods won the Gold Award:

“Tyson Foods has demonstrated partnerships on several levels to include leadership commitments to the UWPC board, with a very strong workplace campaign, and huge support for the Day of Caring on a consistent basis, securing four to six teams. Tyson is also part of the Hunger Coalition network, which allowed the Mobile Food Pantries in Pettis County to be a reality,” Harrison said.

Tyson also won the award for highest giving with $96,683. The company has won the award two years in a row.

Pro Energy won the award for highest giving per capita with $36,868. That figure represents $567.20 per employee giving. This is an increase of $69.60 per employee from last year.

Upcoming United Way events include the sixth Annual Day of Caring-June 27, and a
60-year Celebration September 27, which coincides with the third annual Fall Car Classic Show at Gardner Denver.

For more information, go to www.spcuw.org or visit their facebook page call (660) 826-2980.