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 2008 campaign raised $3,443,698 for member agencies. 98% of the total goal was raised while facing a very unsettled economic climate during the fall campaign.
March 2009 - BKD's Southern Missouri Foundation announces at the March 3 annual meeting that they are gifting to the 23 United Way partner agencies, $105,000 to bring agency allocation funding to the original 2008 level.
Professional Staff
Jennifer Kennally
President/CEO
Ext. 223
jkennally@uwozarks.com
Cindy Howell
Vice President - Resource Development & Marketing
Ext. 229
chowell@uwozarks.com
Sheri Lupton
Sr. Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
Ext. 225
slupton@uwozarks.com
Pat Reiser
Resource Development Specialist
Ext. 240
preiser@uwozarks.com
LaTrisia Beeman
Accounts Payable Financial Assistant
Ext. 232
lbeeman@uwozarks.com
Susan Boyd
Director of Administration
Ext. 222
sboyd@uwozarks.com
Kim Hopkins-Will
Resource Development Specialist
khopkinswill@uwozarks.com
Ext. 230
Adele Kissee
Staff Accountant
Ext. 242
akissee@uwozarks.com
Board of Directors
| Term Expiring 2011 | Term Expiring 2012 | Term Expiring 2013 |
| Greg Beck* Vice President of Purchasing O'Reilly Auto Parts |
Rylene Appleby (Secretary)* CEO PJC Insurance |
Jan Baumgartner Executive Vice President Springfield First Community Bank |
| Matt Gifford Vice President & General Manager Springfield Cardinals |
Jim Arnott Sheriff Greene County |
Steve Edwards COO/Executive Vice President CoxHealth |
| Maurice Henry
(Vice Chair)* Senior Vice President Associated Wholesale Grocers |
Kenny Boggs* Assistant Business Representative Teamsters Local #245 |
Gary Garwitz (Treasurer)* Partner BKD, LLP |
| Jim Jura
(Past Chair) CEO & General Manager Great Southern Bank |
Greg Burris City Manager Springfield |
Bernie Gerwel Sr. VP & Chief Information & Innovation Officer ANPAC |
| Leslie Peck President Peck's Insurance & Financial Services |
Dr. Hal Higdon President OTC |
Julie Jones V. P. of Marketing & Customer Svc St. John's Health System |
| Ryan Stack General Manager SRC Heavy Duty |
Dr. Michael Nietzel President Missouri State University |
Todd Parnell President Drury University |
| Wade Stinson Associate General Manager City Utilities |
Dr. Nancy O'Reilly O'Reilly Health & Wellness Consultation Svcs. |
Dr. Norm Ridder (Chair)* Superintendent Springfield Public Schools |
| John Wilson
(Past Chair) Regional President US Bank |
Kelly Weaver Senior Operations Manager Chase Card Services |
Brad Stokes Business Mgr/Fin Secretary IBEW Local 753 |
| At - Large Members | ||
| Roseann Bentley Green Cty Associate Commissioner |
David Cook President First Community Bank of the Ozarks |
Stacey Zengel General Manager Jack Henry & Associates |