Our Mission
The mission of the United Way of the Ozarks is to increase understanding of human needs and to mobilize resources to meet these needs.
We care for one another through:
- Providing leadership to identify and solve community problems
- Developing and allocation resources to meet community human service needs.
- Providing assistance to strengthen the health and human service delivery system.
- Enhancing communications to foster meaningful involvement with donors and volunteers.
Our History
United Way of the Ozarks enjoys a rich heritage that can trace its origins to 1930, when a special committee of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce "perfected a plan for a Community Chest." On October 13, 1930, a new corporation, the Springfield Community Chest, Inc., elected a board of directors consisting of 28 members.
The first board chairman was J. M. Quinn. The first campaign was lead by Rev. W. H. Mansfield to benefit 17 organizations. Its purpose was to minimize "the impact of conflicting charitable requests upon Springfield."
By 1952, the campaign was known as the Community Chest - Red Cross Campaign. Later campaigns were known as the United Appeal and the United Fund.
In 1962, a permanent organization, "United Fund", was formed with a newly elected board of directors representing both donors and member agencies.
The change to "United Way of the Ozarks" in 1979 reflected the regional emphasis and responsibilities of the organization.
In 1994, a unique partnership was formed between Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Ozarks. The board of directors of both organizations agreed to support a combined capital campaign which would provide the first building owned by United Way and enable the Chamber of Commerce to build a new building.
The campaign was a success and a new structure, named the "John Q. Hammons Enterprise Center", was built for the Chamber of Commerce. The previous Chamber building was titled to United Way debt free, including furniture and fixtures.
On June 12, 1996, the building at 320 North Jefferson Avenue was dedicated as the "Clarence R. Wheeler Center" in appreciation to the principal donor and committed to the mission and work of providing a better quality of life for this and future generations in the Ozarks.
By 1996, United Way of the Ozarks had more than 400 campaign volunteers and 27 member agencies serving 23 counties in southwest Missouri.
The 2007-08 campaign raised more than $3,300,000 for member agencies. With a new location on the edge of Jordan Valley Park, United Way is well-positioned to build on the tradition of service begun in 1930.
Professional Staff
Jennifer Kennally
President/CEO
Ext. 223
jkennally@uwozarks.com
Trudy Pischer
Vice President - Resource Development/Planned Giving
Ext. 224
tpischer@uwozarks.com
Sheri Lupton
Chief Financial Officer
Ext. 225
slupton@uwozarks.com
Nicki Bascom
Campaign/Communications Associate
Ext. 229
nbascom@uwozarks.com
LaTrisia Beeman
Accounts Payable Financial Assistant
Ext. 232
lbeeman@uwozarks.com
Susan Boyd
Executive Assistant
Ext. 222
sboyd@uwozarks.com
Ann Dare
Senior Campaign Associate
Ext. 230
adare@uwozarks.com
Cindy Elliott
Accounts Receivable Associate/Receptionist
Ext. 238
celliott@uwozarks.com
Steve Kessler
AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison
Ext. 233
skessler@uwozarks.com
Adele Kissee
Staff Accountant
Ext. 242
akissee@uwozarks.com
Board of Directors
| Term Expiring 2009 | Term Expiring 2010 | Term Expiring 2011 |
| Bob Cumley (1) City Manager City of Springfield |
Roseann Bentley Secretary * (2) Associate Commissioner Greene County |
Greg Beck * (1) Vice President of Purchasing O'Reilly Auto Parts |
| Kenny Boggs (p) Assistant Business Representative Teamsters Local #245 |
Steve Edwards (1) COO/Executive Vice President Cox Health |
Tom Bookstaver (1) President & Publisher Springfield News-Leader |
| John Himmel (2) Chair Commerce Bank |
Gary Garwitz Treasurer * (1) Partner BKD LLP |
Maurice Henry (2) Senior Vice President Associated Wholesale Grocers |
| John Holstein (2) Shughart Thomson & Kilroy |
Debi Harper
(2) Manager of Marketing Services ANPAC |
Jim Jura Chair * (2) CEO & General Manager Great Southern Bank |
| James Lewis *
(2) Kirkpatrick Phillips & Miller |
Art Kessler * (1) Business Manager KC District Council of Carpenters |
Leslie Peck * (2) President Peck's Insurance & Financial Services |
| Jack Merritt (2) Sheriff Greene County |
Dr. Norman Ridder
(p-1) Superintendent Springfield Public Schools |
Ryan Stack (2) Director, Sales & Marketing Springfield Remanufacturing Corp. |
| Dr. Michael Nietzel
(1) President Missouri State University |
Jon Swope (1) President of the Hospital Division St. John's Health System |
Wade Stinson (1) Associate General Manager City Utilities |
| Michael Replogle (1) Senior Vice President Chase Card Services |
Joe Turner
(2) President/CEO Great Southern Bank |
John Wilson Vice Chair * (1) President US Bank |
| At - Large Members | ||
| Raylene Appleby CEO PJC Insurance |
Mike Briggs President Willow Brook Foods, Inc. |
Dr. Hal Higdon President OTC |
| Dr. Nancy O'Reilly O'Reilly Health & Wellness Consultation Svcs. |
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