UNITED WAY OF JASPER COUNTY|
UNITED IS THE WAY
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The United Way of Jasper County is a nonprofit organization that brings together individuals and resources to advance the common good in Jasper County, Iowa.
Our vision is to foster strong, resilient, and equitable communities where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and live their best life. This vision is realized through our strategic priorities, which focus on: 1) Healthy Community; 2) Youth Opportunity; 3) Financial Security; and 4) Community Resiliency UNITED IS THE WAY encapsulates the essence of unity and collaboration, highlighting the power of collective action in achieving greater impact. |
By uniting with private, public, and nonprofit partners, UWJC is tackling significant challenges and working towards improving education, enhancing economic mobility, and strengthening health resources in the community.
Upholding our commitment to creating a positive and enduring influence, UWJC is paving the way for a brighter future for the residents of Jasper County. UNITED IS THE WAY: Together we do more than any of us could do alone! To make an online gift to United Way of Jasper County visit our secure donation portal at: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/uwojccd/ THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF UNITED WAY OF JASPER COUNTY! |
EVENTS & NEWS
'Voices of Inspiration' speaker series returns for fall 2026
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United Way of Jasper County's innovative and educational programming “Voices of Inspiration” speaker series will kick off its fall season in September.
2026 LINEUP INCLUDES: ● "LOST BUXTON" presented by Historian & Author Rachelle Chase - Thursday, Sept. 17 ● "A FIELD OF DREAMS: IOWA'S BASEBALL HISTORY" presented by Baseball Historian John Liepa - Thursday, Sept. 24 ● "VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD" presented by Mountaineer & Photographer Jen Loeb - Thursday, Oct. 22 Doors open at 6 p.m. and programs begin at 6:30 p.m. at DMACC Newton Campus Auditorium, 600 N. 2nd Ave. W. Adults and students alike are encouraged to attend. The event is open to all with a free-will admission collected to help continue and grow the speaker series. |
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FNNB Newton offers matching grant for school supplies
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Thanks to FNNB Bank all monetary donations to United Way of Jasper County's School Supply Challenge with a $2,500.
Donations and matching funds, along with school supplies will be donated to participating Jasper County schools. "When Rob (Kahn, CEO of FNNB Bank) contacted me about the matching grant I was overwhelmed because I know what an impact that will have for children and families as the new school year approaches," said Jessica Lowe Vokes, UWJC Executive Director. The matching grant coincides with the UWJC's annual school supply drive. |
"We have heard from schools that there has been an increased request for assistance," Lowe Vokes said. "With the economy what it is it isn't surprising that hard working families are still struggling and school fees and cost of supplies, shoes, backpacks, clothes can all add up quickly. We hope that by providing the opportunity for pencils, backpacks, crayons and filling in the supply lists will help students get their year off on the right foot."
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Edward Jones office of Travis Padget was awarded the United Way of Jasper County’s inaugural Good Apple Award. The team, pictured from left, Emily Thomason, Lori Eisbrener and Travis Padget collected 1,113 school supplies for the UWJC’s annual supply drive.
Edward Jones wins inaugural UWJC Good Apple Award
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The results are in! More than 10,000 individual items were donated during the 2026 United Way of Jasper County School Supply Challenge.
The Good Apple Award for collecting the most school supplies goes to the Edward Jones office of Travis Padget. Padget, Emily Thomason and Lori Eisbrener collected 1,113 items. The business was one of more than a dozen organizations in Jasper County who officially registered for the UWJC challenge. "The need was tremendous and the outpouring of support for the supply drive this year was overwhelming," said Jessica Lowe Vokes, UWJC Executive Director. "We have done an annual drive for the past 10 years and 2026 was by far our largest year yet." Along with Edward Jones, items were collected and donated to United Way's drive by Capstone Behavioral Healthcare, Clemon-Maki Insurance, The Dental Practice, Dodd's Trash & Recycling, First Interstate Bank, FNNB Bank, Gregg Young Automotive Group in Newton, Haven Vineyard Church, Iowa Realty-Newton & Grinnell, The Kraken's Crate, Lauterbach Buick GMC, MercyOne Newton Medical Center, Newton News, Newton Public Library and TruBank in Newton. Additional supply and monetary donations were made directly to the schools by businesses and individuals wanting to help. To add a little incentive, UWJC partnered with Fuego Hot Glass to create a glass apple to be awarded to the organization that collected and donated the most items to the challenge. Lowe Vokes said the fun addition, donated by John and Mary Curiel, owners of the studio, took the annual drive to the next level. "That little beautiful, glass apple took us from a successful school supply drive to an amazing, unbelievable one," Lowe Vokes said. "The award made the whole thing a little more exciting. John and Mary helped by using their talents to drive our drive." |
Special thanks to Fuego Hot Glass for creating and donating such a special trophy for the School Supply Challenge.
More than 10,000 supplies were collected, counted, sorted and dispersed. In addition to supplies, monetary donations were accepted and FNNB Bank in Newton matched with a $2,500 gift. All Jasper County school districts were contacted with the opportunity to receive support. PCM Community School District and Newton Community School District both requested and received donations.
"Times are tough. We know that. And the number of people and organizations willing to step in and alleviate even a little of the stress and anxiety families are carrying right now is truly amazing," said Kelly Sorenson, Newton Community School District Communications & Outreach. "Thank you to every business, organization, individual, and Cardinal supporter who gave supplies, gave money, gave time, or simply said, 'How can I help?' You showed up. You gave a hand up. And you reminded our families that they are not alone.” |
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United Way of Jasper County
PO Box 844 312 First Ave. W. Newton, Iowa 50208 [email protected] 641-792-1684 |
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