Last week, over 20 community volunteers who make up the 2023 Heart of Missouri United Way Campaign Committee met at Missouri Employers Mutual (MEM) for an initial discussion and planning for this year’s annual campaign. These committee members will recruit teams of volunteers to reach out to local businesses and individuals to ask for their financial support for the work of United Way and our 29 partner agencies. 

At the meeting, the volunteers heard from Jim Owen President and CEO of Missouri Employers Mutual and our 2023 Community Campaign Chair, Andrew Grabau, Heart of Missouri United Way President and CEO, and Gay Litteken, Executive Director at First Chance for Children, one of our partner agencies. 

Last year over 400 volunteers assisted on the local United Way campaign, which raised more than $2.9 million to support the partner agencies that collectively provide services to children, families, and individuals in need. This year’s campaign theme “Building Futures, Together” emphasizes the collective work of the agencies, donors, and volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering or adding your company to this year's campaign, contact David Holtgraewe at dholtgraewe@uwheartmo.org.

Annual Awards & Give 5 Graduation

Recently, Cummins Sales and Service was one of twelve Cummins branches to be selected for the Build-A-Bike program. Local Cummins employees assembled all 40 bikes together by hand. The bikes also came with helmets and bike locks.

Cummins has partnered with Heart of Missouri United Way in the past and knew that we could help them find great homes for the bikes. We are thrilled that the bikes were delivered to two of our partner agencies, Grade A Plus and Boys and Girls Club! Both agencies spoke about how exciting this would be to the kids and their families. It was amazing to see this community effort come together!

EquipmentShare sponsored and packed wellness kits. They assembled over 500 kits that were sent to 12 of our partner agencies, wow!

The kits include essential items such as toothbrushes, pocket-sized facial tissue, toothpaste, Clorox wipes, sunscreen, CeraVe Facial cleaner, nail clippers, shampoo, water bottles, Irish Spring bar soap, chapstick, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, disposable emery board, antiperspirant, combs, socks, masks, Zip lock bag, bandaids, 211 pamphlet, and SingleCare cards all packaged within a reusable bag!

Many local companies donated some of the items that go in the wellness kits including 3M, L’Oréal, Simmons Bank, First Midwest Bank, Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services, Boone Health, and EquipmentShare.

Our partner agencies receiving kits include Compass Health Network, Moving Ahead, Grade A Plus Inc., Love Columbia, Columbia Housing Authority, Great Circle, Turning Point - Wilkes Blvd United Methodist Church, Voluntary Action Center, City of Refuge, Rock The Community, Lutheran Family and Children's Services, True North of Columbia, and Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture.

Volunteer Opportunities

Services for Independent Living: Adopt-A-Yard

Assist with yard work to ensure our senior’s homes remain safe and comfortable while also improving “curb appeal”. This may include leaf raking, lawn mowing, cleaning up branches, de-cluttering and organization projects, painting decks, or other services.

This may also include small home modifications for our seniors.

Aging Best: Ombudsman

The ombudsman advocate for the rights of senior residents in long-term care facilities. We need volunteers that have good communication skills and have their own transportation. 

Volunteers will receive free training and certification.

Services for Independent Living: Arts & Crafts Night



Volunteers help demonstrate and teach social skills to youth with disabilities in the setting of an arts & crafts night. Volunteer assistance is requested to assist in the setup, clean up and modeling appropriate social behavior. Game Night is held the 3rd Friday of each month at SIL from 4:30-6 pm.

Please contact Sydney Meyer for more information.

Agency Spotlight: LOVE Columbia

Heart of Missouri United Way in the News

Upcoming Events

Give 5 Cohort 4 will begin classes on April 21st. We are recruiting for upcoming cohorts now. Fill out this form to secure your spot!

Save the Date:

Heart of Missouri United Way's Day of Action is June 9!

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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