PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HBPW Recognized as United Way of the Mark Twain’s Area 2020 Business of the Year

Wednesday February 10th, 2021- United Way of the Mark Twain Area hosted their annual meeting virtually, highlighting the accomplishments of United Way throughout 2020. It is with great honor, that we announce the HBPW has received 2020 Business of the Year.  Denise Damron, Executive Director, stated “United Way is thankful for the Hannibal Board of Public Works and its employees for their dedication to BE A HERO in the community, by helping fund the work of partner agencies, and through their gifts of time and talents in service as well.”

This award would not be possible without the notable strength of the HBPW team. 2020 presented its share of challenges and affected lives of everyone across the globe. Instantly, we were forced to modify our habits and discover a new normal for work, school, and living. In moments of uncertainty, we quickly learned social distancing, developed brand new home/work routines, implemented Zoom and Team meetings, all while consistently harnessing the energy and skills needed to provide HBPW customers with vital utility services.

Through this collective experience, our community values shined through in meaningful ways:

  • Inaugural United Way Workplace Campaign– Over $7,000 raised for local United Way Agencies.
  • United Way Day of Caring– Volunteers helped demolish the interior of the Salvation Army’s (United Way Agency) new family services office in Hannibal.
  • Super Supper Deliveries– HBPW volunteers worked with Douglass Community Service’s (United Way Agency) to deliver 2,500 meals to students at Hannibal Public Schools during Public Utility Week.
  • Buddy Packs– Over 240 volunteer hours were spent assisting HAYS (United Way Agency) bundle food for Hannibal school students to take home, to assure access to nutritious foods on the weekends.
  • CARES ACT Utility Assistance- Through partnership with Douglass Community Services, financial assistance was provided to 208 families (including 353 children), and 15 local businesses impacted by COVID-19.

It is an honor to provide the Hannibal community with public utility services, to be a partner of United Way’s, and to support to our local nonprofit agencies that live out the mission of the United Way daily. One of the greatest values 2020 brought us – We’re all in this together.

If you would like to contribute to the United Way of the Mark Twain Area’s 2020 Be a Hero Campaign, you can do so by visiting: https://unitedwaymta.org/annual-campaign.  The annual meeting, shared virtually, can be viewed on their Facebook page.

Established in 1903, the Hannibal Board of Public Works is a non-profit, division of city government that provides electric, water, and sewer services to residents living in Hannibal Missouri.

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