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Celebrating Volunteer Award Recipients

Heart of Missouri United Way recently announced the recipients of our Annual Awards. These awards are selected from those who volunteered for the 2023 United Way campaign and were instrumental in its success.


“Last year, the community came together to raise three million dollars for Heart of Missouri United Way and their 29 agencies,” said David Holtgraewe, Chief Operations Officer for Heart of Missouri United Way. “At the end of the year, we like to recognize volunteers that have had a significant impact by advocating, communicating the work of United Way, and helping raise the funds necessary to facilitate lasting change.” 

We are excited to announce the recipients of the Charlyn Y. Law, Campaign Achievement, and Bo Fraser Leadership Awards (photographed above) in the article below.

Read About the Annual Awards Recipients

ASPIRES Project Kicks Off April 30

Heart of Missouri United Way is excited to offer local non-profit organizations the chance to enhance their capacity through the ASPIRES project. One part of this project is quarterly capacity building information sessions, which are open to any local nonprofit organization. Our first session, in partnership with the City of Columbia, delivered by Partner for Better, will be a one-hour-long presentation on volunteer recruitment and engagement.

Learn More & Register Here

20 Under 40 Auction Benefiting United Way's Read Across Columbia Program

This year's 20 under 40 class is working to raise $5,000 for Heart of Missouri United Way's Read Across Columbia program.


They are hosting a silent auction with items like Pasta La Fata Wine Dinner, Lakota Coffee for a Year, and a Football signed by Coach Drinkwitz. Check out these items and more at the button below!

View the Auction Items

This is the third year that Read Across Columbia has been the beneficiary of the 20 under 40 fundraiser. This fundraiser not only raises funds, but helps increase awareness on the importance of 3rd grade reading proficiency.

Serving Our Community's Most Vulnerable

EquipmentShare team members sponsored and packed 500 wellness kits as part of their Giving Back Week. These kits include basic needs items like bandaids, Irish Soap, CeraVe, sunglasses, socks, water bottles, wet wipes, hand sanitizer and more.

 

These wellness kits were delivered to several of our partner organizations including Central Missouri Community Action, City of Refuge, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, Compass Health Network, First Chance for Children, Love Columbia, Columbia Housing Authority and Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri.


"Over the last 2 years, EquipmentShare and United Way have partnered to provide over 1,000 wellness kits for the Columbia community," said Dakarayi Chabaya, Community Engagement Specialist at EquipmentShare. "The success of this partnership hinges on the commitment shown consistently by EquipmentShare employees and United Way to recognize the role they can play in assisting the most vulnerable in our community."


The need for wellness kits is still present, as we received requests for over 2,500 kits from our partner organizations. If you or your team would like to sponsor wellness kits, please reach out to our Give 5 and Volunteer Coordinator Lorraine Gustavis at lgustavis@uwheartmo.org

Taking Action in Our Community: Week of Action 2024

Last year, we hosted our first annual Day of Action. This year, we are excited to share that we are expanding to a Week of Action with more volunteer projects and ways to help our community thrive!


Week of Action will take place June 15-21. The goal of Week of Action is to mobilize community members to "take action" to improve their communities by volunteering with United Way. 


There will be 500+ volunteer spots available to help tackle projects big and small. Some of the nonprofit organizations with volunteer projects include Boys & Girls Club of Columbia, City of Refuge, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, Coyote Hill, First Chance for Children and Habitat for Humanity. There will also be volunteer projects with the City of Columbia and Columbia Public Schools.


Volunteer sign-ups for Week of Action will open to the public on May 17. We can truly make a difference when we're United in Action!


You can stay up-to-date on Week of Action volunteer opportunities and events by visiting our website or social media channels. Week of Action is a community-wide volunteer event, sponsored by MU Health Care.


Questions? Contact our Give 5 and Volunteer Coordinator Lorraine Gustavis at lgustavis@uwheartmo.org

Give 5 - Graduation & Giving Back

We hosted the Give 5 Cohort 6 Graduation on Thursday, April 11, where our Cohort 5 members celebrated their completion of the program and pledged to Give 5 hours a month to a nonprofit of their choice. Some even chose more than one! Some of the organizations they chose include Love Columbia, Mobility Worldwide, and the Columbia Senior Activity Center. They are truly a special group of volunteers that bring decades of expertise to the organizations they serve.


Are you retired and living in Boone County? Check out our Give 5 program today! https://uwheartmo.org/give-5

Aayushi Patel Joins Heart of Missouri United Way as Administrative & Finance Assistant 


Aayushi brings experience in finance and administration. In her previous roles, she oversaw financial management, accounting statements, personnel management, and payroll administration. Learn more about Aayushi here.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Your sponsorships help Heart of Missouri United Way reach more individuals and help market your brand to our large audience!


Check out our exciting 2024 sponsorship opportunities on our website at the button below.

View Sponsorship Opportunities

Are you interested in sponsorships? Please reach out to our office to learn more at office@uwheartmo.org

Agency Spotlight: KVC Behavioral Health

KVC’s vision is to ensure every person is safe and connected to a strong family and a healthy community, with the mission to enrich and enhance the lives of children and families by providing medical and behavioral healthcare, social services, and education.


KVC has an "Impact Us" program that receives funding under our Health & Basic Needs Impact Investment. The program goals are to provide tools to at-risk youth in our community to develop positive values, social competencies, and positive identities, while teaching positive youth and personal development.

Visit Their Website

Heart of Missouri United Way in the News

Our President and CEO, Andrew Grabau, was recently a guest on The Daily Blend w/ AC where he spoke about National Volunteer Month and our Give 5 program.

Watch the Recording

Upcoming Events

Stamp Out Hunger:

May 11, 2024


Week of Action: June 15-21, 2024

Heart of Missouri United Way invests in programs at nonprofit organizations in the impact areas of health and basic needs, education, and financial stability. Our investments reach individuals and families in Boone, Cooper, and Howard Counties. Donate today to make an impact in your community.

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