2025 United Way Evening Of Philanthropy Honorees Announced
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Hannibal, Mo. – _The United Way Evening of Philanthropy began in 2019 with the goal to honor community members who invest their time, talents, and treasures to make our community better. The Evening of Philanthropy shares the story of these generous people – _and, at United Way, we are hopeful these stories inspire others.
On Friday, May 9th, the 2025 Evening of Philanthropy, sponsored by Benson Financial and Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, will be held honoring community members who live out the mission and vision of the United Way within their own lives. The event will be held at the Olive Branch Event Venue in Palmyra.
Life-Long Philanthropist: Donna Brown Donna Brown, of Hannibal, now works part-time as the office manager for Mt. Olivet Cemetery, but she is a retired high school teacher from Palmyra. For the past 20 years, after retiring from teaching full-time, Donna has taught GED and HiSet classes to help hundreds of community members receive their high school equivalency diploma.
At first, Donna taught these courses through the Hannibal Career Tech Center. However, for more than 10 years, she has taught these independently without any compensation and has built partnerships to ensure the program is available to community members in need.
Donna worked out a partnership with the Hannibal Housing Authority to create a classroom space for her classes to be held. She has personally made certain needed textbooks and materials have been available for students enrolled in the classes. Additionally, she has made certain students who do not have the money to pay for their high school equivalency test are able to take the test without that financial burden.
She has advocated for her students who have been enrolled in her classes with area agencies to ensure her students get the support they need. Donna’s classes have been relied upon by the court system for community members who are on probation/parole. At times a requirement to get off of probation is obtaining a high school equivalency diploma. Her classes have afforded people that opportunity.
Donna has dedicated her entire adulthood to ensure that community members have the opportunity to better their lives through education. For this reason, she was selected to be honored as United Way’s 2025 Life-Long Philanthropist.
Other honorees include:
Philanthropic Individual: Justin Gibson Justin Gibson, of Hannibal, was selected as this year’s Philanthropic Individual. Professionally, Justin works as a Financial Advisor at Benson Financial. He and his wife Brooke have three daughters.
Philanthropic Couple: Michael & Whitney Holliday
Michael & Whitney Holliday were selected to be honored as the 2025 Philanthropic Couple. Each embody the mission and vision of United Way in how they spend their time, talents and treasures. When the good works of both are added together, they have made a significant, lasting impact in our community.
Philanthropic Group: First Christian Church of Hannibal
First Christian Church of Hannibal was selected to be honored as our 2025 Philanthropic Group. In January 2024 as a bout of extreme cold winter weather was about to hit the area, Hannibal’s Police Chief and Emergency Management Director, Jacob Nacke, put out a plea for a church or organization to open as an emergency overnight warming center to keep unhoused community members.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Evening of Philanthropy and can be purchased at unitedwaymta.org. Space is limited. Tickets are $50 per person or a table of 8 for $400.
Doors for the 2025 Evening of Philanthropy will open at 6:30pm with dinner being served at 7:15pm followed by the program which will premier videos highlighting the work of these indivdiuals.