TOGETHER, WE CAN CHANGE LIVES RIGHT HERE AT HOME!

When the storms hit St. Louis, neighbors didn’t wait —

they showed up.

In the aftermath of recent tornadoes, families across our region were left picking up the pieces of their homes and their lives. But in every corner of our community, people stepped forward to help, proving that when crisis strikes, our strength is in each other.

Your support through the UMSL Month of Community Giving helps make that strength possible. Together with the United Way of Greater St. Louis and CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, your gift provides food, shelter, health care, and hope to families rebuilding after disaster and those facing challenges every day.

Click here to give hope where it's needed most. Visit www.umsl.edu/monthofgiving/ for more information.

Short and long-term response to needs.

Within minutes following the May 16th storm, the dedicated United Way 211 team immediately shifted into disaster response mode, ensuring affected neighbors were aware of available shelters, hotels, and supplies for those unable to access or remain in their homes. United Way quickly launched a storm relief giving platform and partnered with KSDK 5 On Your Side for a two-day awareness campaign, with donations supporting food, shelter, and cleanup initiatives administered by disaster-related partners. Read more about how the United Way showed up on May 16 and continues to support disaster relief efforts.

The UMSL Community Innovation and Action Center was also very involved in the response to the May 16 storms in partnership with the United Way. CIAC administered data systems to support a major community relief effort managed by Action St. Louis at the O’Fallon Park YMCA. This was largely done by handling the “Resident Support Intake Form” coordinated with St. Louis City and 211 to ensure that response efforts were as aligned as possible.

Collaboration and collective efforts proved vital to providing faster service and more effective results. 

How Increased Participation Can Revitalize Our Region

October marks the start of one of the most important community campaigns in the United Way of Greater St. Louis' history. The region has faced unprecedented challenges, and so many people are looking for United Way of Greater to be the beacon of hope it has been for the past 103 years. Access to basic needs and support in the aftermath of the May 16th storms are among many of our community’s recent challenges. To answer the community’s call to service, everyone's support is needed. It will take all of us working together, donating, and being involved to spark real lasting change.

Each year, UWGSL empowers the lives of over 1 million people in Missouri and Illinois, helping 1 in 3 people across 16 counties meet their immediate and long-term needs. Support for the UWGSL campaign is crucial to helping build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities. Let us Unite together to multiply our impact and empower our neighbors. Learn more here.

Here is a chance to cheer on the St. Louis Blues and create real impact in our community! United Way of Greater St. Louis is teaming up once again with the Blues for the annual Power Play for United Way on Tuesday, October 28 at 7:15 P.M. when the Blues take on the Detroit Red Wings. When you purchase your game ticket through this special offer, $6 from each ticket will be donated to United Way of Greater St. Louis, supporting more than 1 million neighbors across Missouri and Illinois with essential services like food, housing, education, job training, and counseling.

The St. Louis Blues will also auction off exclusive items, with 100% of proceeds benefiting United Way. The auction opens game day at 10:00 A.M.

Help Us Help Each Other!

If you have any questions or would like to assist with the campaign, please contact Patricia Zahn, Director of Community Engagement & Outreach at zahnp@umsl.edu.

University of Missouri–St. Louis
UMSL Month of Community Giving
1 University Boulevard 
301 Woods Hall
St. Louis, MO | 63121