Sorensen began her presentation with a quote to underscore the theme for the night.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” she said. “I think it’s just such an inspirational message. Really, it takes, collectively, everyone. You all fit into this piece of the pie.”

As it currently stands, the MAUW is at $822,710, or 91 percent of the overall goal. Kyley Leger, who served as the 2024-2025 campaign co-chair along with Kate Bowermaster, described her tenure as “the quickest 10 months of my life,” and Bowermaster highlighted the varying contributions the MAUW has received to help fund 27 partner agencies and 30 programs.

“Some people are giving $1,000. Some people are giving $50. Everything counts. At the end of the day, at the end of the year, everything adds up,” she said.

Marshalltown Area United Way 2024-2025 Campaign Co-Chair Kate Bowermaster, right, cuts a piece of the symbolic tie worn by Executive Director Kendra Sorensen, left, to mark reaching 91 percent of the $900,000 fundraising goal.

The two co-chairs successfully launched the first annual Turkey Trot as a fundraising event, and Bowermaster added that she’s excited to see how it grows in the future. They took time to thank members of the campaign cabinet before recognizing individual businesses and organizations for going “above and beyond” in 2024.

Delania Halter of Emerson noted that the company raised $37,391 from employees in all through special events like a chili cookoff, a gaming tournament and a Thanksgiving meal. The co-chairs also recognized JBS, the Marshalltown Community School District (which had the most significant increase in contributions), MARSHALLTOWN Co., McFarland Clinic, The Willows for joining the leadership circle and United Bank and Trust for securing 100 percent employee participation three years in a row. Additionally, the Times-Republican, KFJB, KDAO and OnMedia were lauded for their efforts to promote the campaign and cover special events.

MAUW Events and Marketing Manager Michelle Roseburrough, who will soon be departing her post for a new job with Iowa Workforce Development, highlighted the success of several annual events such as the golf outing (raised over $27,000) and Power of the Purse, which surpassed $50,000 and thus resulted in KFJB News Director Zach Tomesch getting his head shaved for the cause. The Marshalltown Police Department and Chief Mike Tupper claimed the “GOAT Trophy” after emerging victorious over the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and the Marshalltown Speedway in the annual Jail and Bail contest, and Mickey McDonald was the top individual Jail and Bail fundraiser.

As the banquet wound down, Sorensen introduced 2025-2026 campaign co-chairs Robert Maharry and Maria Gonzalez-Alvarez, and she made a final push for donations as the end of the year is just around the corner.

“It is not just a number, you guys. That is the amount of funds it takes to sustain appropriate funding,” Sorensen said. “We’ve got two weeks remaining on our campaign to raise $79,290, so we hope that you guys share with your neighbors, your friends, coworkers or whomever. Encourage them. Everything adds up, you guys. Even if it’s just $5. All of those things collectively add up.”

She added that if the campaign falls short of the goal, it forces the board of directors to make difficult decisions.

“What do you do? Do you choose to fund less programming that maybe is helping people with intellectual or physical disabilities? Do you choose to fund less of a program that’s providing days of care for someone that’s embraced and surrounded by their family? Do you fund less (for) a child that’s really in need of mentorship and someone that’s willing to walk alongside them? Do you fund less (for) somebody that is experiencing food insecurity? And guys, the list goes on and on and on,” Sorensen said. “I can elaborate in so many different ways that these collective dollars are very impactful in our community.”

In all, she estimated that the funding benefits 12,000 Marshall County residents. Between its 1996-1997 and 2024-2025 campaigns, the MAUW has raised $19,725,117.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.