KHMO’s Harold Smith United Way Community Partner of the Year

The United Way of the Mark Twain Area celebrated the accomplishments of the past year at its annual meeting at the Rialto Banquet Hall in Hannibal Thursday.

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Campaign Chair Kevin Arthaud announced the annual fundraiser for the United Way stands at $332,000, headed for the campaign goal of $400,000.

The annual meeting was also a time of recognition. Several awards were handed out, one of which hit pretty close to home.

Without advance warning, the United Way gave its Community Partner of the Year award to this reporter. United Way Executive Director Denise Damron and her predecessors have been regulars on KHMO Talk Back for a number of years, and we have helped them sell hundreds of cases of Progresso Soup, among other things, at the annual United Way Radio Auction.

The Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri was named Agency of the Year, Watlow was recognized as business of the year and Dave Dexheimer was honored with the Lifetime Dedication Award.

Dexheimer, along with Tony DeGrave and Justin Gibson, were recognized as retiring United Way board members.

Taking their place on the board are realtor J'Nelle Lee, Congressional Communications Director Bryan Nichols, investment advisor Jeriod Turner and Culver-Stockton Associate Professor Cindy Whiston.