United Way of the Mark Twain Area

06/14/2026

🌟 Meet Our New Board Members! 🌟

Please help us welcome Lori Watson to the United Way Board of Directors!

Lori serves as Vice President and Loan Officer at F&M Bank's Monroe City branch. Throughout the years, she has been deeply involved in the Monroe City community and various women's ministries, dedicating her time and talents to helping others.

Lori is excited to serve United Way because its mission aligns closely with her personal calling to support and uplift those around her. She believes United Way is a powerful agent for positive change and is eager to contribute her skills and experience to further that impact.

We are thankful for Lori's heart for service and look forward to the difference she will make as a member of our board.

Welcome to the United Way Board, Lori!

06/13/2026

🌟 Meet Our New Board Members! 🌟

Today, we're proud to introduce LaQuicia Ward, one of the newest members of the United Way Board of Directors.

LaQuicia is the Owner and Operating Director of Cornerstone Caregiving in Hannibal. She is also a proud Army Veteran, having served as a Human Resource Specialist, and holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Business and Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Known for her dedication to serving others and her active involvement throughout the community, LaQuicia is excited to be part of an organization that not only talks about change but puts direct action behind its mission and vision.

We are grateful for her commitment to making a difference and look forward to the impact she will make through her service on our board.

Welcome, to the board LaQuicia!

06/12/2026

🌟 Meet Our New Board Members! 🌟

Please join us in welcoming Alicia Rollins to the United Way Board of Directors!

Alicia is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Hannibal-LaGrange University.

Before beginning her career in financial planning, Alicia spent many years working in the nonprofit and volunteer management sector, including serving as an agency director and partnering alongside United Way. Her unique perspective and firsthand experience with community impact work make her a valuable addition to our board!

Alicia is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to the table to help strengthen our community through the work of United Way.

Welcome, Alicia! We are thankful to have you around the board table.

06/11/2026

🌟 Meet Our New Board Members! 🌟

Today, we're excited to introduce one of our newest members of the United Way Board of Directors, Randy Epley!

Randy serves as the Group Director for System Operations at Hannibal Regional Healthcare System. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

Randy is looking forward to contributing his professional experience and leadership skills to help guide strategic decisions for United Way, while also supporting the important work of our Community Needs Committee.

We are grateful for Randy’s willingness to serve and look forward to the insight and expertise he will bring to our organization and community.

Welcome to the board, Randy!

06/10/2026

Have you signed up for the Pickleball Tournament benefiting our United Way and our friends at United Way of Adams County, Inc. yet?!

Do so today!!

Details for the tournament can be found here:
https://unitedwaymta.harnessgiving.org/events?page=1

Huge shout out to Century 21 Broughton Team Hannibal for hosting this tournament to benefit the community! They do a great job at LIVING UNITED!

06/10/2026

Thank you to the Hannibal Lions Club for having Denise join you to share about RISE a few weeks ago!

Thank you to Denise Damron, Executive Director of the United Way of the Mark Twain Area, for joining us a few weeks ago to share more about the RISE program and the positive impact it is already making in our community.

RISE — Reaching Independence through Support and Education — is a 17-week program designed to help individuals move from surviving to thriving through financial empowerment, goal setting, personal and professional development, and one-on-one coaching support. The program is focused on helping participants build long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

We appreciate Denise taking the time to educate us about this incredible initiative and the power of community partnerships in creating meaningful change for local families and individuals. 💙

06/10/2026

🌟 Meet Our New Board Members! 🌟

Tonight is our monthly Board of Directors meeting, and we're excited to welcome several new faces to the table. Over the next few days, we'll be introducing each of our newest board members.

Please join us in welcoming **Hunter Baggett**!

Hunter serves as an Associate Vice President and Loan Officer at HOMEBANK. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Culver-Stockton College and is a proud Palmyra native. Active in multiple community organizations, Hunter is passionate about giving back and is excited for the opportunity to make a positive impact through United Way.

We are grateful for Hunter's willingness to serve and look forward to the perspective and leadership he will bring to our board.

We've already got him engaged on our Golf Tournament Committee! ⛳

Welcome to the team, Hunter!

06/08/2026

Last week, we welcomed our newest United Way Board Members for New Board Member Orientation!

The afternoon was designed to help our incoming leaders better understand the important role they play in advancing the mission of United Way. Together, we explored board responsibilities, learned about committee opportunities, reviewed resources available through our Board Portal, looked at our strategic plan, and discussed the history and impact of United Way in our region.

But the learning didn't stop in the boardroom.

One of the highlights of the day was a community "scavenger hunt" led by incoming Board Chair Jeriod Turner. Board members were given real-life scenarios representing challenges community members might face—from needing food assistance and housing support to after school support, healthcare, and other essential services. Their mission was to identify and visit the local agencies that could help meet those needs.

As they traveled throughout Hannibal, our new board members saw firsthand the incredible network of partner agencies supported by United Way funding and the life-changing services they provide every day.

Understanding our community's needs begins with understanding the organizations working tirelessly to meet them. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect our newest board members with the agencies and people who make our mission possible.

Please join us in welcoming these dedicated community leaders to the United Way family! Together, we are building a stronger community for all.

06/03/2026

United Way of the Mark Twain Area is highlighting Community Impact Advocate Shauna Bunn, an individual who has a heart and passion for the work she does through Harvest Outreach.

Shauna is the director of the women's house, a sober living program through Harvest Outreach Ministries. Through the program, Harvest House offers job placement, life coaching, pastoral and Biblical counseling, and mentorship among other things.

Shauna loves the women she works with, and she feels blessed to have a part in their stories.

Read Shauna's full story to learn about her work with Harvest House and Harvest Outreach Ministries:
https://unitedwaymta.org/blog-and-news/f/community-impact-advocate-shauna-bunn

05/26/2026

✨👗 CALLING ALL PROM DRESSES 👗✨

Prom season may be over… but at United Way of the Mark Twain Area, we believe every fabulous dress deserves another night out. 💃

We are officially collecting:
✨ Prom dresses
✨ Bridesmaid dresses
✨ Pageant & formal gowns
✨ Vintage dresses
✨ Sequins, satin, tulle — we want it ALL!

As we prepare for this year’s United Way Mom Prom, we’re excited to announce something NEW is coming… 👀

🎉 A Mom Prom Dress Sale + special kickoff event is officially in the works, and trust us — you’re going to want to be there!

So as you’re cleaning closets and packing away this year’s prom dresses, consider giving them another life while helping raise money for local programs and services throughout our community. ❤️

📍 Dress donations can be dropped off at:
United Way of the Mark Twain Area

Stay tuned… Mom Prom season will be here before we know it. 👑✨