United Way of Pettis County Moves To New Location

The Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon for United Way of Pettis County at the UW's new location in the State Fair Shopping Center.

UWPC recently moved its offices from its former location on the third floor of US Bank to a spot next to Pettis County Community Partnership on the northwest corner of the shopping center (Suite 29).

UWPC Executive Director Samantha Gilpin said “we wanted to find a location that was centrally based and more easily accessible to the community, the organizations that we partner with, and the demographic that we serve.”

The new office allows for the United Way sign to be displayed in the window.

“People know where we're located now and PCCP allowing us to rent this office space has been great, because I've been able to chat with patrons and clients as they come into their facility,” Gilpin told KSIS after the ceremony.

“People are welcoming, because a lot of people don't know we're around,” Gilpin added.

The internet is much faster now at the new location, she noted. “Being on the third floor of an all-brick building it was so slow,” Gilpin recalled.

Coming up this Saturday is United Way's Day of Action at Vermont Park. The event starts at 8 a.m., and offers free breakfast and lunch to the volunteers taking part in the event, which is expected to continue through 3 p.m.

“Our main focus is Vermont park and a six-block radius,” Gilpin said. “But we do have an additional five projects within Pettis County.

Those who want to volunteer and lend a helping hand may show up at the registration table that morning and sign a waiver and receive a T-shirt until 9 a.m., Gilpin said.

“We do have some more intensive projects where there's some overgrowth in alleyways, trimming tree limbs, climbing ladders to clean some gutters, those types of things, so if you feel that's right up your alley, we could definitely use the help,” Gilpin told KSIS.
“I'm looking forward to the great weather we have in our forecast
for Saturday, so hopefully we continue to have lower temps and no rain,” Gilpin said, adding that see expects around 200 volunteers to show up Saturday morning.

The 2019 Day of Action attracted around 500 volunteers. Then COVID-19 hit. So Gilpin is excited about the 2022 event.

“So come with closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, hat and come join the fun!” she said.

UWPC serves 16 locally-funded partner agencies. A total of $109,304 was allocated last year, and a total of 14,165 residents were impacted by United Way.

For more information, visit https://www.spcuw.org/