Supporters of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) will gather September 29, 2018 at the 23rd annual Toast to Our Towns Gala at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center, to recognize individuals who have made a significant philanthropic impact in Eastern Jackson County and surrounding communities.

Truman Heartland will be awarding the Humanitarian of the Year, Corporate Citizen of the Year, and Community Partner of the Year at this year’s Gala. These recipients embody the spirit of giving and inspire others in their community through generous acts of philanthropy and volunteer work.

Bob Glaser, Heartland Humanitarian of the Year
The impact of Robert (Bob) F. Glaser’s tireless work in the community is felt throughout Eastern Jackson County and beyond. Bob has been a champion of volunteerism in the Eastern Jackson County community for more than fifty years. His lifelong dedication to service and compassion have made him both an invaluable asset to our community, as well as a leader in philanthropy for the region.

After moving to the Kansas City area from Texas, Bob worked for Sears as a store manager in Kansas City, eventually heading up the Independence location until 1992. Upon retiring from Sears, Bob held several prominent roles in Eastern Jackson County nonprofits, including serving as the first President and CEO of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation and Director of Planned Giving for Heart of America United Way. Bob transitioned into the world of banking when he joined Summit Bank of Kansas City as their VP of Community Development. Bob is currently the Community Development Partner for CommunityAmerica Credit Union.

Throughout his work in both the nonprofit and private sectors, Bob has gained a reputation for his skill of connecting people to philanthropic causes through his work with both the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce and the Independence Chamber of Commerce. He is considered the go-to connector for many charities and municipalities and is highly regarded for his ability to bring people together for a common cause.

Over the years, Bob has served with more than 30 nonprofits in our communities: United Way fundraiser and board chairman; Eastern Jackson County Betterment Council founding member; Jackson County Historical Society board member; Independence Memorial Building and Palmer School Restoration Campaign chairman; Independence Chamber of Commerce chairman; Hope House Capital Campaign steering member; and Community Services League board member.

Bob has been awarded several honors over the years for his work in the community. He was the recipient of the Independence Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1997 and was named their Citizen of the Year in 1998. Independence named him their 2001 Toast to Our Towns Citizen of the Year. Bob was awarded the 2013 Lee’s Summit Community of Character Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2018 was named the Lee’s Summit Hometown Hero. He is most deserving of being recognized as the 2018 Heartland Humanitarian of the Year at this years Toast to Our Towns Gala.

Bob is a devoted husband to his wife, Alissa. They spend time enjoying the company of their five children, thirteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Tingle Flooring, Heartland Corporate Citizen of the Year
Tingle Flooring, with offices in Lee’s Summit, St. Louis and Denver, is the Midwest’s premier wholesale floor covering distributor. Owners Chip and Debra Moxley have called Eastern Jackson County home for more than 30 years and have used the success of their business to give back to the community. Since moving their Kansas City headquarters to Lee’s Summit, the company’s leaders have been active supporters through corporate giving and volunteerism.

As President of Tingle Flooring, Chip is involved with several community initiatives and local nonprofits in Lee’s Summit. These include serving on the Board of Directors for John Knox Village, St. Luke’s East Hospital, Velocity Lee’s Summit (where Chip mentors new entrepreneurs), the Steering Committee for R-7 Business Roundtable, and Lee’s Summit Education Foundation (where Chip emceed the Taste of Lee’s Summit event for three years). Tingle Flooring’s support of the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce is a family affair. As Vice-President of Tingle Flooring, Lauren Johnson, daughter of Chip and Debra, was in the Leadership Lee’s Summit class and currently serves on the board of directors. In addition, the organization offers space to host local nonprofit events.

Their giving goes beyond personal involvement. They also give back with product, often working with Habitat for Humanity to hand-deliver products to build sites. Tingle Flooring sets an example by promoting volunteerism. The Moxley’s believe they have received more from their philanthropy than they have given. Their involvement and passion comes from a desire to impact the community where they live.

Bank and Trust Co., Community Partner Award
Blue Ridge Bank and Trust has been a frequent contributor to charitable efforts in Eastern Jackson County for the last 60 years. Founded by brothers William, Robert, and Walter Reich in 1958, the Bank opened with six employees and has now become one of the largest locally run banks in the area.

Blue Ridge Bank honors its historical roots by serving the needs of individuals and businesses and focusing their impact in the communities through two equally important strategies: financial support and community activism.

Responding to hundreds of requests for support each year, Blue Ridge Bank financially contributes to projects and events that benefit the community. Recent involvement includes the Rotary Club of Independence Carnival for polio eradication. In 2018 the funds from the Carnival were allocated to the Independence Farmer’s Market. The Bank also contributed to Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity for the Hiram Young School renovation.

Blue Ridge Bank takes a personal interest in community betterment. In the early 1990’s Bank employees established the Associates Charity Fund. The Fund’s purpose is to contribute time and financial support to help those in need.

Associates of the Bank are encouraged to pursue volunteer leadership roles and many serve on boards and committees for local non-profits. The Bank provides flexible schedules to allow staff to attend meetings and events and volunteer their time. Bank employees are active and visible in service clubs such as Scouts, local chambers of commerce, and many other organizations.
In 2018 Blue Ridge Bank and Trust has supported organizations such as the Blue Springs and Raytown Main Street Associations, John Knox Village Foundation, Community Services League, Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), Missouri Colleges Fund, Truman Heartland Community Foundation, Cancer Action, Inc., United Way, and The Salvation Army.

Today, the spirit of the Reich brothers is alive in the culture of the Bank, which continues its mission: to enable people to acquire the financial resources to realize their dreams. The Bank honors the legacy of its founders by fostering volunteerism, philanthropic giving, and leading by example to set the standard for community partnerships.

Citizens of the Year, chosen by area mayors, will be honored at the Toast to Our Towns Gala and will be announced later this summer.

The 2018 Toast to Our Towns Gala is presented by Centerpoint Medical Center and benefits Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Stewardship Capital will host the cocktail reception and CommunityAmerica Credit Union will host the Mix, Mingle, and Music after-party.

Additional support is provided by Community of Christ; DSI; Dunn Family Foundation; Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Orbital ATK; and Saint Luke’s East Hospital. A private reception sponsored by GEHA for the Citizens of the Year will be held on Thursday, September 6, 2017.

The Toast to Our Towns Gala will be held on September 29, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Tickets for the Gala can be purchased on our website at www.thcf.org/Gala.

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