February: Briefly in the News
GIVING BACK
UScellular Delivers Gifts to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri for Holiday Party
To celebrate the holiday season and the meaningful value of community, UScellular donated an assortment of holiday gifts to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri. In order to bring locally grown joy to Columbia, UScellular worked with their local team to learn about the needs of the community and then reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri to get their ideal wish list. Traveling in a holiday-themed truck, the company delivered the items to support the organization’s effort to provide each “Little” with a gift. At the onset of the party, “Bigs” had an opportunity to select a gift, wrap it, and then give it to their Little during a fun-filled evening featuring food, games, music, and bounce houses.
EDUCATION
Columbia College and Columbia Safety & Supply Announce New Partnership
Leaders from Columbia College and Columbia Safety & Supply announced a new partnership designed to continue strengthening Mid-Missouri’s workforce. The college will offer the company’s more than 130 employees a 15% discount on tuition for classes taken through its online and evening programs. “The opportunity to partner with a successful, local company like Columbia Safety & Supply is something we take great pride in,” says Dixie Williams, vice president for enrollment and marketing at Columbia College. “Helping adult learners reach their educational goals is at the core of everything we do, and we look forward to serving Columbia Safety and Supply’s employees.” Columbia Safety & Supply is part of the GME Supply family of companies, which was started in 2005 and maintains its headquarters in Columbia. Its team is recognized internationally as a leading industrial distributor of fall protection, safety equipment, and gear for at-height industries.
“Helping adult learners reach their goals is at the core of everything we do.”
— Dixie Williams, vice president for enrollment and marketing at columbia College
COMMUNITY
United Way Invests Record $750,000 Annually to Advance Equity in Education
Heart of Missouri United Way announced its new Education Impact Awards in the amount of $750,000 invested annually over the next three years beginning in January 2022. The Heart of Missouri United Way Community Investment process is led by community volunteers. United Way funds services that ensure young people have equitable access to gain knowledge, skills, and credentials so they are prepared for the workforce and able to obtain family-sustaining employment. United Way’s Community Impact investment portfolio also includes $1,281,031 invested annually to improve Health and Financial Stability outcomes for people in our community who need a helping hand up.
GIVING BACK
EquipmentShare Unveils Patriotic Telehandler to Support Veterans Organizations Ahead of Veterans Day
EquipmentShare, one of the fastest-growing equipment rental companies in the nation because its rental experience is powered by T3 technology, is adding a patriotically wrapped telehandler to its rental fleet to demonstrate its commitment to hiring and supporting veterans and service members. The Genie GTH-1056 telehandler is nicknamed “Tele-Hero” and is wrapped in camouflage and stars-and-stripes. Ten percent of the Tele-Hero’s rental proceeds will be donated to Welcome Home Inc. and Hire Heroes USA, two organizations that help veterans find safe housing and employment resources. EquipmentShare expects to donate more than $3,400 annually from the Tele-Hero’s rental proceeds alone.
COMMUNITY
Six Columbia Classroom Projects Get a Boost on National STEM Day from UScellular
In honor of National STEM Day, UScellular provided support to six K-12 classroom projects in Columbia that focused on science, technology, engineering, and math through a $2,200 donation to DonorsChoose, a nonprofit organization that connects public school teachers with interested donors who want to support classroom projects. This funding was part of a $25,000 donation UScellular made to fund every active STEM project on DonorsChoose in five cities across the country. “We’re providing youth with access to STEM tools and resources to help them grow into lifelong learners,” said Joe Cabrera, director of retail sales and operations for UScellular in Missouri and Kansas. “National STEM Day is the perfect time for UScellular to spread locally grown joy by celebrating educators and the classroom projects that give youth a broader view of all the possibilities that STEM education can provide.” In addition to supporting National STEM day, UScellular has committed to connecting more than 200,000 of tomorrow’s innovators each year with the resources they need today to help shape future opportunities.
HEALTH
Burrell Behavioral Health Awarded $5 Million in Grant Funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Burrell was named one of the Missouri behavioral health providers receiving the SAMHSA Community Mental Health Centers Grant. Burrell will be awarded $2.5 million a year for two years, for a total of $5 million. The goal of the grant is to enable Burrell to support and restore the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while providing resources to address the increased mental health needs of Community Mental Health Center staff. This grant will provide services to clients, support IT needs to enhance telehealth services, and focus on the wellness of Burrell employees. “The challenges throughout the last year and a half have not only increased the demand for mental health services, but have also taken a toll on our staff who are caring for our community. Burrell is honored and humbled for the opportunity to offer more help to our neighbors and our dedicated team members,” says Burrell CEO and president and C.J. Davis.