‘Press Releases’ Category

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Thousands of area residents rely on public transportation on a daily basis as it offers a safe, convenient, cost-effective and relaxing means to get them where they need to go. To reinforce this message, Citizens for Modern Transit, Metro Transit and St. Clair County Transit District are hosting a “Crushing on Transit” Valentine’s Day campaign, encouraging transit riders to take a selfie at a Transit Center or on board MetroLink, MetroBus or Metro Call-A-Ride on Monday, February 14, 2022, and post it to social media for the opportunity to receive a free day pass good for use on a future transit trip. The photo must be posted to either Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, and the rider must include #CrushingonTransit and #CMTSTL to be eligible.

The partnering organizations will reach out via direct message to the first 200 transit riders who post a selfie to determine if each individual would like the free day pass valued at $5 to be mailed or uploaded to their Transit app account.

“This campaign is a fun way for St. Louisans to express their love for our region’s robustly integrated public transportation system that spans both sides of the river,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “We look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces as they travel via transit this Valentine’s Day.”

To learn more, visit www.cmt-stl.org, www.metrostlouis.org or www.scctd.org.

About Citizens for Modern Transit

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the region’s transit advocacy organization. It was established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis and works to develop, support and enhance programming and initiatives to ensure safe, convenient and affordable access to the region’s integrated public transportation system. CMT champions, challenges, encourages and advocates for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region.

 About Metro Transit

Metro Transit operates the St. Louis region’s public transportation system, which includes 18 battery electric buses and nearly 400 clean-burning diesel buses that serve 59 MetroBus routes in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois. Metro also operates MetroLink light rail vehicles on 46 miles of track serving 38 stations in the two-state area, and operates Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 122 vans. Metro Transit is a Bi-State Development enterprise.

About St. Clair County Transit District
Founded in 1981, St. Clair County Transit District oversees 11 MetroLink stations and 18 bus routes in St. Clair County, Ill. If commuters have questions about service, they can call (618) 628-8090 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, visit www.scctd.org.

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For more information, contact:

Kelly Harris

(314) 436-9090

kelly@hausergrouppr.com

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To help meet the dental health needs of children and adults, Delta Dental of Missouri – the state’s leading dental benefits provider – last year contributed more than $1.8 million to support oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes in Missouri and in South Carolina, where it also does business. The funding is part of the non-profit company’s annual Mission Giving Program.

“2021 was another challenging year for so many of our neighbors,” said Rob Goren, president and chief executive officer at Delta Dental of Missouri. “By giving to a range of organizations that align with our mission to improve oral health, we can help thousands get vital dental care, supplies and services to improve their overall health and quality of life.”

During 2021, Delta Dental of Missouri awarded $1.1 million in oral health grant funding alone to 35 organizations in Missouri and South Carolina, which include the following 13 organizations in Missouri, which were most recently awarded much-needed funds:

• Truman Medical Centers (Kansas City) – received $70,000 to purchase new dental chairs for their Lakewood Dental Clinic serving those on Medicaid and who are uninsured.
• Upward Smiles, Inc. (Farmington/Festus) – received $70,000 for a new mobile unit to provide preventive and restorative dental services to children and pregnant women in need in school and community settings.
• Give Kids A Smile (Maryland Heights) – received $50,000 to offer safe care to children during the pandemic by engaging volunteer dental professionals to provide complimentary, individual care in private dental offices across St. Louis in the fall of 2021, and for the organization’s free, comprehensive dental clinic for kids set for February 2022.
• Missouri Dental Foundation (Jefferson City) – received $50,000 for its free, two-day Missouri Mission of Mercy dental clinic in St. Louis on July 15-16, 2022, serving those who cannot otherwise access dental care.
• Heartland Outreach Providers (Kansas City) – received $35,000 for dental supplies and salary support for the HOPE Dental Program serving families with low incomes, seniors and patients with mental health conditions in Jackson County.
• Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri (Joplin) – received $15,000 to have dental hygienists available through its clinic to offer dental cleanings to decrease cavities and improve the oral health of patients who are uninsured or underinsured.
• Health Outreach Foundation (Kansas City) – received $15,000 to recruit additional dentists and dental professionals for its Homeless Dental Program in an effort to expand the number of patients seen.
• Cass Community Health Foundation (Kansas City) – received $12,564 to purchase new dental equipment needed for the Cass County Dental Clinic serving those who are uninsured and those on Medicaid.
• St. Louis Community College Foundation (St. Louis) – received $12,000 to purchase equipment needed to serve more children in its public dental clinic providing low-cost or no-cost dental screenings and cleanings.
• Rural Parish Clinic of the Archdiocese of St. Louis(St. Louis) – received $10,000 to support the expansion of its mobile dental program providing free dental care to individuals who live in rural areas and are uninsured.
• Dental Lifeline Network – Missouri (Jefferson City) – received $8,000 for the Missouri Donated Dental Services program providing free dental care to individuals with low incomes and a permanent disability, or those 65 years or older, or those who qualify as medically fragile.
• Hope Faith – Homeless Assistance Campus (Kansas City) – received $5,000 for supplies needed to provide dental hygiene services at no cost for those experiencing homelessness in Kansas City.
• Hope House, Inc. (Lee’s Summit) – received $5,000 to purchase dental clinic supplies for their free dental clinic serving those in need.

During 2021, Delta Dental of Missouri’s total charitable contributions also included:

• More than $149,000 in fluoridation grants for 15 Missouri counties in need of new or replacement equipment to start or continue community water fluoridation. This funding is helping to protect the oral health of nearly 120,000 Missourians who live in the impacted communities.
• Funding for Delta Dental of Missouri’s virtual Land of Smiles® educational program, which was provided at no cost to 441 schools in Missouri and South Carolina, teaching good dental health habits to more than 105,000 children.
• More than $122,000 in donations and free dental care supplies given to charitable and community organizations in Missouri and South Carolina, helping to improve the oral health and overall health of residents.

Delta Dental of Missouri is currently accepting applications for the first grant cycle of its 2022 Oral Health Grant Program. To be eligible for an oral health grant from Delta Dental of Missouri, applicants in Missouri must first complete a letter of inquiry through the online application system at  https://www.deltadentalmo.com/AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program, which includes program guidelines and application instructions. Online letters of inquiry are due on February 25, 2022, and online applications are due on March 11, 2022. Applicants must be considered tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a public or governmental entity, such as a public school or health department, and serve the people of Missouri.

About Delta Dental of Missouri

Delta Dental of Missouri is the state’s leading dental benefits provider and a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. It provides more than 2.1 million members with access to affordable, high-quality dental care through group plans tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small businesses with two or more employees. Delta Dental also offers dental benefit plans directly to individuals and families. It provides access to affordable, high-quality vision care as well through group vision benefit plans. The company proudly supports oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that help educate people about the importance of dental health and provide free dental care to those in need. Delta Dental of Missouri also created the Missouri Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at www.DeltaDentalMO.com/ResourceGuide1. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalMO.com.

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For more information, contact:

Kelly Harris

(314) 436-9090

kelly@hausergrouppr.com

Voting is now open in UScellular’s 3^rd Annual Black History Month Art Contest with Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Missouri. Voting is available online, and the Joplin community can go here to vote for their favorite piece of original art.

This year, UScellular introduced an exciting new element to the contest. For the first time, Boys & Girls Club members were encouraged to create their original pieces of artwork in recognition of influential Black STEM icons, including historical figures, world leaders, scientists and educators. Ten finalists were chosen by representatives from the Boys & Girls Club and local UScellular leaders based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and overall impression.

Voting will remain open until February 28, and anyone 18 or older can vote for their favorite. The finalists’ artwork is also digitally displayed in the UScellular store located at 1630 S. Rangeline Road.

The top three vote-getters will be announced in March and prizes include gift cards in the following amounts:

• $250 for 1^st Place
• $150 for 2^nd Place
• $100 for 3^rd Place

“We are thrilled to work with Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Missouri on this contest to help honor Black STEM icons and showcase youth in our community,” Randy Shurtz, area sales manager for UScellular in the Kansas and Western Missouri Markets. “This year’s art highlights the artistic talent among the Club members, while giving them a chance to learn more about the impact Black people have made in STEM. We encourage the community to check out the art and vote online.”

“Our kids are excited about the theme for this year,” said Amia Warren, development director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Missouri. “It’s a time for Club youth to show their creativity while learning about influential Black STEM icons.”

The public can vote for their favorite artwork by going to newsroom.uscellular.com or clicking here.

UScellular is focused on addressing gaps in STEM education and is committed to connecting more than 200,000 of tomorrow’s innovators each year with the resources they need today to help shape future opportunities. For more information about UScellular’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, please go to https://newsroom.uscellular.com/community/.

No Purchase Necessary. Entrants who are minors must have parental consent to participate in the Contest. Official Contest Rules, including full entry details and Finalist and Winner selection criteria/voting are available by email request to USCDLMediaRelations@uscellular.com.

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com. Connect with UScellular on social media at facebook.com/uscellular, twitter.com/uscellular, instagram.com/uscellular, YouTube.com/uscellularcorp and linkedin.com/company/uscellular.

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For more information, contact:

Anthony Garcia, Media Relations Specialist, 773-387-5217,Anthony.garcia@uscellular.com

Kelly Harris, Senior Account Director at The Hauser Group, 314-898-8116, Kelly@HauserGroupPR.com

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WGU Missouri and Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. today announced they have entered into a joint partnership that will provide Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. employees with flexible, personalized pathways to earning their degrees. Additionally, under the terms of the agreement, those who enroll in any of the fully online, nonprofit university’s 60-plus undergraduate or graduate degree programs in business, IT, K-12 teacher education or health professions – including nursing – will now be eligible to apply for scholarships offered through the WGU Collaborative Agreement Scholarship program.

The scholarships are designed for members and employees of WGU Missouri’s partner collaboratives that are seeking to advance their education. Each scholarship is valued at up to $2,500 and will be disbursed in increments of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms based on satisfactory academic performance. Applicants who lack access to affordable, high-speed internet will also be eligible to apply for the WGU Online Access Scholarship, which covers internet installation and monthly access costs for the duration WGU students who qualify are active and in good standing and also provides devices to students who are in need.

“We are so excited to enter this partnership with WGU,” said Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. President and CEO Bill Esry. “The flexibility of the programs will be a great fit for the bank associates interested in pursuing a degree in higher education.”

Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. is a locally owned community bank, established in 1958. With eight locations serving the communities of Independence, Raytown, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, and Blue Springs, Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. has become one of the largest independently owned community banks in Missouri with services to meet every need. Located throughout Eastern Jackson County, the Bank has 133 employees and strives to support the upskilling of its staff by providing access to educational opportunities.

WGU Missouri offers Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. employees a competency-based approach to learning that allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and previous experience to quickly move through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. Students complete their programs by studying on schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon as they demonstrate that they have mastered the subject matter. WGU faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support and individualized instruction. While WGU’s degree

programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their progress and graduate faster, saving both time and money.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. to help make quality, competency-based higher education more accessible to its employees,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “Our academic programs are an excellent next step for individuals who desire an affordable option to continue their educational journey while offering students the flexibility they require to gain the skills they need to succeed in the evolving workplace.”

For more information on the partnership between WGU Missouri and Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co., visit wgu.edu/partnerships. About WGU Missouri

WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members serve as mentors, working one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction.

Established in 2013 through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $7,600 per year for most programs.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Nursing College programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*), and the Health Informatics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.

*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).

About Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co.

Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Co. is an independently owned community bank with eight branch locations and over $700 million in assets. For over 60 years, Blue Ridge Bank has served the financial needs of Eastern Jackson County.

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For more information, contact:

Pamela Powell

(314) 436-9090

pam@hausergrouppr.com

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In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, representatives from UScellular and Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City announced the commencement of the 6^th annual UScellular Black History Month Art Contest. Online voting returns for this year’s contest, while also featuring an exciting new element.

For the first time, Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City members are encouraged to create their original pieces of artwork in recognition of influential Black icons in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), including historical figures, world leaders, scientists and educators.

In late January, 10 finalists will be chosen by representatives from the Boys & Girls Club and local UScellular leaders based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and overall impression. The finalists’ artwork will be digitally displayed in select stores and from Feb. 1 – Feb. 28, anyone 18 and older will be invited to vote for their favorite art online.

“We are excited to celebrate Black History Month and bring a new iteration of this beloved art contest to Jefferson City,” said Justin Skiles, area sales manager for UScellular in Missouri. “The talented youth at Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City will have a chance to showcase their creativity and hopefully learn more about the successes that Black people have achieved in STEM. We can’t wait to see what they create.”

“The Arts have always been a way for youth to not only express themselves and showcase their creativity but are also used as a tool for healing and identity development,” says Dr. Tanisha Grimes Oakley, senior leader of strategy implementation and youth development at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “This is even more poignant when African American youth have the opportunity to see themselves represented in the STEM field, showing them that they too have access and can continue to dream big.”

The top three vote-getters will be announced in March and will receive prizes that include a $250 gift card for first place, $150 gift card for second and $100 gift card for third.

UScellular is focused on addressing gaps in STEM education and is committed to connecting more than 200,000 of tomorrow’s innovators each year with the resources they need today to help shape future opportunities. For more information about UScellular’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, please go to https://newsroom.uscellular.com/community/.

 No Purchase Necessary. Entrants who are minors must have parental consent to participate in the Contest. Official Contest Rules, including full entry details and Finalist and Winner selection criteria/voting are available by email request to USCDLMediaRelations@uscellular.com.

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier is building a stronger network with the latest 5G technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with UScellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.

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For more information, contact:

Anthony Garcia, Media Relations Specialist,773-387-5217, Anthony.garcia@uscellular.com

Kelly Harris, Senior Account Director at The Hauser Group, 314-898-8116, Kelly@HauserGroupPR.com

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The Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) has elected Martin Rivarola, AICP, to its Board of Directors. He will serve a two-year term.

Rivarola serves as assistant director of transportation and land use with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), Kansas City’s region Council of Governments and Metropolitan Planning Organization. In this current role, he works in policy development, long range transportation and regional land use planning initiatives. Prior to joining MARC in 2015, he served as the community development director for the City of Mission. In that role, Rivarola oversaw long-range planning, permitting, economic development and redevelopment activities. He holds a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Kansas and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

“We are delighted to welcome Martin to our Board of Directors,” said Kimberly Cella, executive director of the Missouri Public Transit Association. “His background and expertise will greatly assist the organization in its ongoing efforts to promote public transit access and services across Missouri.”

To learn more about the Missouri Public Transit Association, visit www.mopublictransit.org..

Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA) was established in 1980 as a Missouri non-profit corporation. It was formed to provide a unified voice for public and specialized transportation providers in Missouri and to work toward elevating the status of public transit as a national priority.

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For more information, contact:

Kelly Harris

(314) 436-9090

kelly@hausergrouppr.com