United Way of the Ozarks Celebrates and Honors 2009
March 9, 2010...(Springfield, Missouri)...United Way of the Ozarks celebrated the successes of 2009 and elected their board of directors at their Annual Meeting and Recognition event, Tuesday, March 9 at the University Plaza Hotel.
With over 370 in attendance, the following were elected to the United Way Board of Directors:
Todd Parnell, Drury University
Steve Edwards, Cox Health
Garry Garwitz, BKD, LLP
Bernie Gerwel, American National Property & Casualty (ANPAC)
Brad Stokes, Teamsters Local 245
Dr Norm Ridder, Springfield Public Schools
Julie Jones, St. John's Health System
Jan Baumgartner, Springfield First Community Bank
Stacey Zengel, Jack Henry & Associates
David Cook, First Community Bank of the Ozarks, Branson
The 2010 United Way board officers were elected in February and they are as follows:
Chairman, Dr. Norm Ridder, Springfield Public Schools
Vice Chairman, Maurice Henry, Associated Wholesale Grocers
Treasurer, Gary Garwitz, BKD, LLP
Secretary, Raylene Appleby, CEO, PJC Insurance
During the event, John Wilson, US Bank Regional President and 2009 United Way Board Chairman reviewed the highlights of the year that included the Day of Caring, two Female Leaders in Philanthropy projects – Formally Yours and Suit Yourself and the 2009 campaign.
Maurice Henry, Senior Vice President, Associated Wholesale Grocers, United Way Vice Chair along with Jennifer Kennally, United Way President/CEO, announced the 2009 major campaign recognitions that included:
The Circle of Caring: this recognition is presented to those companies, organizations and partner agencies with at least 50% employee participation and at least $150 per capita gift. 26 organizations were recognized.
The John C Rush Award: this recognition is present to those companies, organizations and partner agencies with a 15% or more increase in employee contribution to United Way. 33 organizations were recognized.
The Pillar Awards: this recognition is bestowed to a company, organization or agency that represents the highest benchmarks in creating and sustaining a United Way culture within their group. Those recognized with a 2009 Pillar Award were:
Corporate Humanitarian of the Year – Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Others receiving a 2009 Pillar award were:
Pat Dierking/City Utilities
Ozarks Counseling Center
St John's Health System
Volunteer Source, a web based, volunteer clearing house, was introduced and will be fully operational by April 1, 2010.
Mayor Jim O'Neal talked briefly about the importance of volunteerism to our community and the positive difference that a corps of volunteers can make.
Dr Norm Ridder, 2010 United Way Board Chair, closed the annual event with remarks that focused the future of United Way with a strong strategic plan that includes continued work on the volunteer effort, beginning steps into the expansion of our services area, all to strengthen the mission of United Way of the Ozarks.
United Way of the Ozarks is a locally governed, volunteer-driven organization whose Mission is to increase the understanding of human needs and mobilize resources to meet those needs.
United Way of the Ozarks funds over 60 programs and initiatives that address critical health and human service needs in a 14 county area.
For additional information contact Cindy Howell, at 417.863.7700 or chowell@uwozarks.com/
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Attachment A:
The Circle of Caring 2009 Recipients
- Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Boys & Girls Club of Springfield
- Boys Scouts of America-Ozark Trails Council
- City Utilities
- Commerce Bank
- Community Foundation of the Ozarks*
- Court Appointed Special Advocates
- Empire District Electric
- Habitat for Humanity of Springfield
- Huckstep & Associates, LLC
- Lutheran Family & Children's Services
- Missouri Employers Mutual*
- Ozarks Counseling Center
- Ozarks Literacy Council
- Pecks Insurance & Financial Services
- Presto X
- Scott Consulting Engineers
- SMC Packaging
- Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
- Springfield First Community Bank
- SRC Holdings
- Teamsters Local 245
- The Victim Center
- United Way of the Ozarks
- US Bank
The John C Rush Award 2009 Recipients
- American Family Insurance Claims Office
- Associated Wholesale Grocers
- BancorpSouth
- Bank of America
- Barker Phillips Jackson Insurance
- Boys & Girls Town of Missouri
- Cargill
- Chase Card Services
- Child Advocacy Center
- City Utilities Community Credit Union
- Community Foundation of the Ozarks*
- Drury University
- Evangel University
- Harry Cooper Supply Company
- Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP
- Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller, CPA's
- Kraft Foods
- Media Com
- Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
- Missouri Employers Mutual*
- Murney Associates Realtors
- Old Missouri Bank
- O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Ozark Bank
- Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau
- SRC Holdings
- SRC Logistics
- Sunbelt Environmental Services
- UMB Bank
- Wal Mart #138
- Wal Mart #179
- Wal Mart #32
- Wells Fargo



