Daily Dose of Doing Good: Week of May 20

This week was one for the books—equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and humbling. From buckets to water balloons, chalk tributes to tiny park dreams, here’s what your United Way of South Central Illinois has been up to:

Coming Together for Marion: A Story of Support and Resilience

We started the week with buckets. Lots and lots of buckets. Last week, an EF4 tornado swept through parts of Marion, Illinois—just 45 miles south of us. While much of the city was spared, several homes and neighborhoods were devastated. Families were left picking up the pieces, and the need for support was immediate.

Enter our amazing community.

Thanks to a call from Byram Fager at the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, and the quick thinking of some generous local partners, we were able to jump in and help. The NAPA distribution center in Mount Vernon donated a full pallet of cleanup buckets—because when you’re cleaning up after a tornado, buckets are a big deal.

Then Walgreens said, “Hold my mop,” and sent water and cleaning supplies. Tractor Supply Company and Winn Supply of Mt. Vernon rolled up with buckets, gloves, and other cleanup supplies. Continental Tire and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 653 generously contributed monetary donations to support the relief effort. And the MVP of the hour? Councilman Donte Moore, who connected us with Winn Supply and made the magic happen. Seriously—give that man a cape.

We’re still coordinating support and now requesting donations of plastic totes and work gloves. Every little bit helps, and 100% of funds go directly to storm victims. If you're ready to be part of something good, visit: Marion Strong Tornado Relief Fund

This is what community looks like. Quick action. Kind hearts. Neighbors showing up for neighbors. We were also honored to be interviewed by WSIL Channel 3 for our efforts in storm response, and we spoke with the local radio stations at Withers Broadcasting to help spread the word and gather even more supplies. The support keeps growing, and we’re grateful for the platforms helping us connect with the community.

DMDC Kicks Off New Leadership with Big Plans

I chaired my first Downtown Mount Vernon Development Corporation meeting this week—and wow, what a great start!

We celebrated the success of last month’s Taste and Tour—so tasty, so tour-y—that we’re already planning a comeback in October.

We also tossed around some big ideas: new business features, downtown enhancements, and one particularly exciting dream—a pocket park. Picture it: a cozy little green space with seating, lights, maybe even a tiny stage for performances. It's still early—we haven’t spoken to the property owner yet—but we’re hopeful. And if all else fails, we have chalk. We can draw a park.

Water Wars Is Heating Up!

If you’ve ever wanted to blast your local Chamber of Commerce members with a water gun and feel good about it, your moment has arrived.

United Way Water Wars is coming Saturday, July 19 to Castle Ridge in Centralia. Jefferson, Salem, and Centralia Chambers will face off in a high-energy, no-mercy water fight to raise money for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. It’s literacy with splash damage—and we’re here for it.

Sponsorships are now available! Get your logo on the back of our event shirts, then grab a shirt yourself—because that shirt is your entry. All gear (water guns, balloons, smiles) will be provided.

Register your team, or just show up to watch the watery chaos unfold. Either way, you’ll be making waves for a good cause.

Run for the Wall Rolled Through Mt. Vernon

Midweek, our town stood still for something truly profound.

Run for the Wall made its only Illinois stop in Mount Vernon, bringing hundreds of riders on a cross-country mission to honor veterans and fallen heroes. This year’s ride was in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Spencer Collart, who was lost on August 23.

Students waved flags. Volunteers served food. Community members lined the streets. And when the motorcycles pulled away, something beautiful happened—students ran to the center of the lot, where Captain Collart’s name had been written in chalk. A silent, heartfelt moment that said more than words ever could.

Meanwhile, our fire and police departments guided the ride and hoisted a giant American flag over the airport. The roar of bikes beneath that waving flag—it gave everyone goosebumps (and we’re not crying, you’re crying).

To every rider, helper, and hero who made that day possible: thank you. We’re honored to be a part of your journey.

The Kidney Mobile Rolls In

We wrapped up our week working alongside the amazing Kidney Mobile team. Megan, Darlia, and I jumped in to help with this important community health effort, and honestly—it was a blast.

These events are so valuable. Many people don’t have access to basic screenings like a urine test, and the Kidney Mobile brings that access right to them. We had great conversations, a few laughs, and the kind of moments that remind you why this work matters.

We’re so thankful to be part of efforts like these—where community health, kindness, and a little bit of fun all come together.

United Way Readers: More Books, More Impact

As part of our ongoing United Way Readers program, we’re excited to be filling new requests from local teachers. This week, we received book requests from 11 classrooms, and we’re in the process of getting those books into the hands of educators and students who need them most.

We also want to extend a huge thank-you to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. After speaking with them last week, we were thrilled to receive a generous donation of books for several of our teachers. We're especially grateful to the individuals who gave anonymously—your kindness will make a lasting impact in our local classrooms.

Exciting Grant Award: Carl Schweinfurt Foundation

We’re thrilled to share that United Way of South Central Illinois has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Carl Schweinfurt Foundation! This funding will directly support our Learning Initiative, including United Way Readers, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, our teacher grants, and United We Give.

This grant is more than just a check—it’s an investment in our kids, our educators, and the future of Southern Illinois. We’re deeply grateful to the Schweinfurt Foundation for believing in our work and helping us expand the reach and impact of these vital programs.

Grant News: Investing in Local Learning

Yesterday, United Way of South Central Illinois submitted two grant applications through Walmart’s Spark Good program—one to the Centralia store and one to the Salem store. Both applications focus on our Learning Initiative, which includes United Way Readers, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, our teacher grants, and United We Give.

These grant requests are aimed at supporting the parts of the initiative that directly impact Marion County. From books and classroom resources to essential supplies for families, each program plays a unique role in shaping a stronger future for the children and educators in our region. We’re excited for the possibility of growing this work with support from our local Walmart partners.

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And that’s your wrap-up, friends. Whether you showed up with gloves, chalk, or a supersoaker—we’re glad you’re in this with us.

Until next week, keep doing good.

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