People Are Awesome: Nixa student wins art competition; donation match available at Drury

Lancaster named Distinguished Zizzer

At the 2024 West Plains High School graduation, Dennis Lancaster was named the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Zizzer Alumnus Award. Through his commitment to education and influence on society, Lancaster embodies the spirit of this honor.

Lancaster has been an integral part of Missouri State University-West Plains for over three decades, leaving an indelible mark at every step of his career. From his humble beginnings as an English and journalism instructor to his current role as chancellor, Lancaster's leadership and vision have shaped the education trajectory, inspiring generations of students.

Lancaster's impact extends far beyond the walls of the university. His dedication to family and community underscores his genuine character and serves as a beacon of inspiration for us all. Through his tireless efforts, he has touched the lives of countless individuals with compassion, integrity, and service.

O’Reilly Wooten DU match raised to $1.6 million

In February, the O'Reilly and Wooten families announced an initial commitment of $1.5 million in matching funds for the Drury University Fortify the Future Campaign to establish the O'Reilly-Wooten 150th Anniversary Challenge. Following the success in achieving the original goal, a donor pledged an additional $100,000 in matching funds, bringing the total challenge match to $1.6 million.

The challenge continues through May 31, and all donations designated to the Drury Student Success Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Donors have the opportunity to designate their gifts to one or more of these targeted areas within the Student Success Fund, including scholarship and financial aid, student services, faculty and academic programs, facilities, and the area of greatest needs.

Donors can participate in the O’Reilly-Wooten 150th Anniversary Challenge through May 31, and special donor recognition opportunities are available during Drury’s sesquicentennial year. More information is available at www.drury.edu/150match.

Nixa HS artist wins congressional competition

A Nixa High School students took top honors in the 7th District Congressional Art Competition recently.

Emma Snow’s drawing, “Pizza House,” received the majority of the 1,800 votes cast in the competition. “The Reflection of a Musician” by NHS student Audrey Upton-Rowley took second place.

Third place went to Paxton Taylor of Carl Junction High School for “Royal Gorge.”

Snow’s drawing will hand in Cannon Tunnel in the US Capitol for a year. She will also receive two free Southwest Airlines tickets to attend the winner’s celebration in Washington, D.C., on June 27.

Grants help nonprofits raise funds

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks recently granted a total of $50,000 in the Shaping Tomorrow Grant Program, supported by a gift from David and Stacey O’Reilly. The grants will help 11 nonprofits adapt fundraising strategies for younger donors following insights from a recent report by Habitat Communication & Culture.

Agencies could apply for funding to implement targeted strategies for Gen Z and millennial donors or to join a cohort that will learn and adopt the Jumpstart fundraising and capacity-building platform powered by Bonterra.

The recipients are Downtown Houston Inc., $5,000; EnCompass Academy (Springfield), $5,000; Faith Community Health Center Inc. (Branson), $4,800; GLO Center (Springfield), $5,000; Good Samaritan Boys Ranch (Brighton); $5,000; Harmony House (Springfield), $5,000; Haven House Inc. (Poplar Bluff), $5,000; Hope Alliance of Missouri (Rolla), $2,200; Jacob’s Ladder Care Services Inc. (Springfield), $5,000; One Joplin/Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, $5,000; and The Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library (Bloomfield), $3,000.

The grants were exclusively available to the CFO’s nonprofit partners. The CFO partners with about 700 nonprofits across central and southern Missouri. The CFO manages funds on behalf of the nonprofits and provides value-added services designed to strengthen and build capacity for the nonprofit partners.

Give 5 graduate new volunteers

United Way of the Ozarks’ Give 5 Classes 23 and 24 were congratulated by Springfield Mayor Ken McClure at a graduation ceremony May 14.

Give 5 was created in 2018 to help prevent social isolation among those age “60 and better,” while helping vital nonprofit agencies deliver much-needed relief to those in need. Participants are providing a wide range of assistance in Greene County, from facilitating strategic planning to doing data analysis, building sheds and maintaining facilities and maybe one of the most helpful activities — recruiting additional volunteers.

More than 350 people have graduated from the Springfield-Greene County Give 5 program and are now providing, on average, more than 18 volunteer hours per month. Based on the most recent alumni survey, more than a year after graduating, 79% of Give 5 graduates are still serving their communities through volunteerism and civic engagement.

Give 5 is made possible thanks to grant funding from the Greene County Senior Citizens’ Service Fund. The program’s presenting sponsor is UnitedHealthcare; gold sponsor is the Arvest Foundation; and bronze sponsor is Mattax Neu Prater Eye Center.

To learn more, visit sgfgive5.org.

Boys Ranch stable renovated

Good Samaritan Boys Ranch recently renovated the Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation Stable at its residential treatment facility in Brighton for the Equine-Therapy Program.

Equine assisted psychotherapy equips youth and families to build trust, enhance self-awareness, and work through self-limiting beliefs.

A small reception for contributors to the renovations will take place at the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch later this month.

Catholic Charities gets second accreditation

Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri recently achieved reaccreditation through the Council on Accreditation, following its first recognition in 2019. The accreditation process evaluated all aspects of CCSOMO’s programs, services, management, and administration.

Accreditation involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. Established standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supportive workforce. Accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and creates a framework for ongoing quality improvement.

Established in 2009, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to provide quality, compassionate social services to those of all faiths across the 39 southernmost counties in Missouri.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: People Are Awesome: O'Reilly, Wooten families match Drury donations