through the years
The Community Chest was created to eliminate duplication of effort for Springfield charitable organizations. J. M. Quinn was elected the first board chairman of the Community Chest. Seventeen local organizations found support through the Community Chest, including the Salvation Army, YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Red Cross.
The campaign became known as the Community Chest—Red Cross Campaign. Later Campaigns were known as the United Appeal and the United Fund.
A permanent organization, United Fund, was formed with a newly elected board of directors representing both donors and member agencies.
United Fund changed its name to United Way of the Ozarks to reflect the regional emphasis and responsibilities of the organization.
A unique partnership was formed between the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Ozarks. The board of directors of both organizations agreed to support a combined capital campaign which would provide the first building owned by United Way and enable the Chamber of Commerce to build a new building.
The campaign was a success, and a new structure named the “John Q. Hammons Enterprise Center” was built for the Chamber of Commerce. The previous chamber building was titled to United Way debt free, including furniture and fixtures.
On June 12, the building at 320 N. Jefferson Avenue was dedicated as the “Clarence R. Wheeler Center” in appreciation of the principal donor and his commitment to the mission and work of providing a better quality of life for this and future generations in the Ozarks.
United Way of the Ozarks changed its name to become United Way Ozarks Region. This change was made to better reflect the organization’s deep roots across the Ozarks and its ongoing mission to unite communities in championing children and providing lasting pathways out of poverty.
