(Hastings, MN) On March 29, 2023, the United Way of Hastings (UWH) Board of Directors hosted an exclusive event to recognize top business donors and announce the 2023 UWH Funded Partner Agencies (FPAs). The event celebrated the financial support of local businesses and gave businesses an opportunity to meet agencies that provide direct services in the community. Two presentations were included – one from a local business that explained the importance of supporting the community and the second from a student that received needed services for her to achieve academic success at school and success outside of school.

Each funded agency shared how UWH funding will be used in 2023 and the impact it will have on Hastings community members. “Providing a forum where businesses who contribute to UWH, and agencies that provide services via UWH funding, can gather and talk is powerful,” said Mari E. Mellick, CAE, Executive Director. “UWH is so fortunate to have businesses and employees who contribute so that these needed services can be provided.” A listing of the 2023 UWH FPAs can be found at https://unitedwayofhastings.org/site/what-we-do/funded-partner-agencies.

Steve Glienke, Chief Financial Officer at Intek Plastics, and UWH Board Treasurer, spoke at the event, providing a perspective from a local business on giving back to the community. Steve discussed the plastic extrusion and fabrication business of Intek Plastics and how the company has been in Hastings for several decades. Steve relayed that Intek Plastics was recently purchased by MA Mortenson Company and one of the pillars that attracted Mortenson to Intek was the company’s support of the community. Community support and employee giving are hallmarks at Intek Plastics. He relayed that getting employees involved contributes to a healthy workplace. Steve urged other businesses to consider their circles of influence and encourage others to give of their time, talent, and/or treasure to UWH. Intek Plastics received awards for being one of the Top Workplace Giving Campaign Leaders and an Arch Bridge Community Leader.

Kel O’Leary, Communities in Schools (CIS) Student Support Coordinator, and Katie Markworth, Hastings High School (HHS) Junior, were impact speakers. Kel graduated with a degree in Communications & Psychology from Bethel College and has been working for CIS at HHS for over three years. She has a passion for case management and working one-on-one with students. Kel primarily works with ninth and tenth graders on their academics, but also helps students advocate for themselves, connect with others, and find success in and out of school.

Katie is one of the students that started working with Kel when she arrived at HHS as a freshman a couple years ago. Katie explained that she was new to the community, had difficulty making friends, and was overwhelmed by the school work. Katie relayed that Kel worked with her by coaching her on organizational methods, helped her to set goals, and talked through methods that helped Katie feel less anxious. By working hard and achieving successes, Katie feels more confident and this winter, tried wrestling for the first time. With Kel’s encouragement, Katie has been thinking about her interests and what she would like to pursue after high school. As an 11th grader, she is undecided but has interests in the US Marine Corps and truck driving. Through the partnership and funding of ISD#200 and UWH for Kel’s position, students are achieving success both academically and emotionally.

UWH’s main source of funding is from employees who contribute donations via payroll deductions at work. Many businesses match employee contributions. The top workplace giving business leaders recognized at the event were:

2022-23 Top Workplace Giving Business Leaders

City of Hastings ISD #200

Dakota County Xcel Energy Intek Plastics

Each fall during UWH’s annual giving campaign, area businesses are asked to make contributions at giving levels that are signified by the iconic Hastings bridges. Arch Bridge Community Leaders make contributions at the $1,000 and above level and the following leaders were recognized:

2022-23 Arch Bridge Community Business Leaders

3M Cottage Grove

Elm Salon

Hoffman & McNamara

Hoffman & McNamara Foundation

Merchants Bank

Premier Bank Minnesota

Spectro Alloys and the Palen Family Foundation

United—Allina Regina Campus

VFW Post 1210

The Blue Bridge Community Leaders make contributions at the $500 - $999 level and the following leaders were recognized:

2022-23 Blue Bridge Community Business Leaders

Bellwood Oaks Golf Club

Collins Wealth Management Conzemius Co.

Edward Jones—Abra Hovgaard Agency Graphic Design

Kimmes-Bauer Well Drilling

Minnesota Coaches — Hastings Bus Co.

PowerWithin Chiropractic

Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben

Weis Builders, Inc.

The UWH also funds the following community support programs outside of its traditional grants process:

Communities in Schools

Donation Zone

Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness

Food 4 Kids: Weekend Student Food Packs

Helping Kids Succeed: Building Webs of Support for Youth & Adults

LIVE UNITED Scholarship: Youth Educational Scholarship

Single Care Prescription Program: Discount Prescriptions

SPARK: Summer Student Activities

United Way 2-1-1 24/7 Help Line: Resource & Referral

The UWH has been the Heart of Hastings for nearly 60 years working as an independent United Way serving Hastings and the surrounding rural communities within Independent School District #200. Its mission is to build partnerships to improve the lives of people in the Hastings area. Initiatives and partner agencies funded by the UWH support Education, Health, and Financial Empowerment, with an emphasis on Youth. Donations are accepted year-round. Every dollar raised in the community stays in the community. For more information about the UWH, visit www.unitedwayofhastings.org.