May 2025

Thank you to everyone who came to the Annual Meeting! It was an amazing day celebrating everything we accomplished in 2024, the partner agencies we support, and the incredible volunteers who made it possible!

Every year, we get to acknowledge the incredible volunteers who go above and beyond to help our partner agencies do what they do best. This year, we are STOKED to celebrate these rockstars who dedicated time, energy, and talents for the good of our community!


Thank you to:



Denene Owens and Jason Rosenkranz – A Place at the Table

Kyle Sunderland – Big Pals Little Pals

Julie Anderson – CASA Connection

Brittany Bader – Center for Survivors

Adam Urkoski – Columbus Area United Way

Elena De Arcos – Girl Scouts

Bill Podraza – Platte Valley Literacy Association

Denon Feagin – Royal Family Kids

Miki Naylor – TeamMates Columbus

Ian Henry – The Arc of Platte County

Matthew Brandenburg – Youth and Families for Christ

Elaine Zoucha – Columbus YMCA


Together we accomplished a lot of amazing things in 2024. Here's a quick snapshot...check out the full report here.

Legacy Express Wash


You know what's fun? A fresh, clean car! The weekend of May 17th, head to Legacy Express Wash to get your shine on, and support Columbus Area United Way at the same time!

Facebook

Tropical Smoothie Cafe


Mark your calendars for Smoothie Day at Tropical Smoothie Cafe on May 20th! CAUW gets 50% of sales made through the app that day!

Facebook

Jasper Owens- Nebraska Realty


Jasper Owens knows Columbus. She's here to help you make your next move! Whether you're buying or selling, Jasper is here for you. PLUS, a portion of her sales goes back to the community. That's a win-win.

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Rustic Lux Designs by Amanda Schwarz


You may know Amanda for her sympathy and scripture art, but do you know she also creates custom signs for businesses and homes? When you purchase unique, custom gifts, a portion of those sales support CAUW at the same time!

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Join the #iPLEDGE 2025 movement!


We’re inviting even more businesses and professionals to join us in this innovative campaign. Together, we can make an even greater difference. Ready to be part of something amazing? Let’s do it!

#iPLEDGE

Invest in Colfax County!

Do you live, work, or play in Colfax County? Now is an amazing time to give back to your community. The Colfax County Campaign kicks off on May 8th. Check out all the ways your support can make a difference!

But guess what! You don't have to wait for campaign season to give! You can donate right here, right now, to start making a difference...TODAY.

Donate now

The United Way Campaign Team is busy planning for the #duckrace2025. 


This year there will be 10,000 tickets...and that's it. Each ticket is $10. (We like it because it's easy to remember! 10K for $10)


Get ready to race to one of six locations to get your tickets!


  • Big 10
  • Bo's West
  • Hwy 14 Brewing
  • Maximus
  • Scooters in Schuyler
  • Slumberland


Mark your calendars for Duck Race Kickoff on June 5th! See you there!

Hope Freshour - Executive Director

hfreshour@columbusuniteday.com

 

Jo Suess - Development Director

jsuess@columbusunitedway.com

 

Tammy Bichlmeier - Central Navigator

tbichlm@columbusunitedway.com


Roberta Miksch - Collective Impact Director

rmiksch@columbusunitedway.com


Kate Wythers - Community Prevention Director

kwythers@columbusunitedway.com



Bellyni Maldonado - Bilingual Central Navigator

bmaldonado@columbusunitedway.com


Libby Crecco - Industry Central Navigator

lcrecco@columbusunitedway.com


Guadalupe Ramirez - Bilingual Community Prevention Coach

gramirez@columbusunitedway.com


Keydy Vasquez - Bilingual Community Prevention Coach

kvasquez@columbusunitedway.com


Sarah Lindberg- Program/Data Coordinator

slindberg@columbusunitedway.com


Sara Baustert- Resource Development Assistant Director

sbaustert@columbusunitedway.com


Shelly Steffensmeier - Fiscal Assistant

ssteffensmeier@columbusunitedway.com

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