The Organization of Student Social Workers at Missouri Western State University earned the 2013 Excellence in Philanthropy Award from the Missouri Western State University Foundation.
The Excellence in Philanthropy Award recognizes service by an organization which has demonstrated outstanding commitment to their community through direct financial contributions, development of charitable programs, volunteering and leadership in philanthropy. The Foundation’s Development Committee reviews the nominations and selects the award recipient.
“Missouri Western student organizations are doing some great work in the community,” said Pat Dillon, Development Committee chair. “The Organization of Student Social Workers stood out from the rest due to the many lives they have impacted through their many activities throughout the year.”
This school year, OSSW raised money, donated supplies or volunteered time to the Salvation Army, Suicide Awareness Week, Green Dot Week to prevent violence, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Second Harvest Community Food Bank, Christmas cards for troops, Adopt-A-Family, the Boy Scouts, Love 146 (an organization to end human trafficking), Denim Day to raise awareness about sexual assault, Stand Against Racism, child abuse awareness, the March of Dimes and the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway Program. They also created a fundraising walk called Follow Me Homeless that raised money to help homeless shelters meet transportation needs.
Dillon presented the award to past president Ellen Hamilton, senior social work major from Cameron, Mo., and Dr. Geri Dickey, assistant professor of social work and program director, during the Foundation Board of Directors meeting May 1.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.