‘Hustling corners for a good cause’ with Paint It Black Blitz event

By Jazmine Knight

Volunteers hit the streets Thursday for the Paint It Black Blitz campaign, collecting donations for United Way’s 2024 campaign while garnering support for Missouri Western State University fall athletics.

United Way and MWSU volunteers signed up to collect donations at the corners of Noyes and Mitchell or 22nd and Garfield. Essentially, the goal was to flag down as many cars as they could while collecting donations and passing out United Way information, fall sports schedules and coupons for Saturday’s home opener for Missouri Western Football.

Missouri Western men’s head basketball coach Will Martin said this is something they do every year to serve the community.

“We’re out here hustling the streets, you know, hustling these corners for a good cause,” he said. “Anytime we can give back with our time, with our energy, with our efforts, we love to give.”

Martin said it’s a great way for athletes and coaches to bond while getting more people to the games.

“Service is such a pillar of Missouri Western in terms of servant leadership and giving back,” said Martin. “It allows our student-athletes … to have an appreciation for the community that gives so much to them.”

He said it also gives them an opportunity to see what serving the community looks like when they leave Missouri Western.

For Martin, he loves the continued partnership with United Way.

“There’s a litany of things that they do in this community … to watch what they’ve done for this community is so transformative,” he said.

Kylee Strough, president of United Way of Greater St. Joseph, said they’re looking to raise about $2.5 million for various programs and services in 2025.

“Things like the after-school programs that the YMCA runs and before and after programs at our public schools,” Strough said.

But it doesn’t just stop there. United Way also sponsors efforts such as child care for the Bartlett Center, shelter and counseling at the YWCA and drug rehabilitation services through Family Guidance Center. United Way also gives back with school supply donations in partnership with the Salvation Army.

“Those are the types of things that happen because people in our community give to United Way,” Strough said.

This year United Way’s theme is “Better days made by you.” Strough said this message speaks to exactly what happens when you give through United Way.

“You’re helping to make better days for everybody,” she said.

In years past, United Way has earned anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 through Paint It Black. Strough said even though they took a break from the event for a couple years, the community has still been very generous when it comes to donations.

“I know I saw at least one $100 bill in one of the buckets, some 20s some 5s and a bunch of change,” she said.

When it comes to Missouri Western, Strough said students and faculty are always ready to help. Her favorite part about Paint It Black is getting out in the community in a unique way.

“Very rarely do you stand on a street corner raising money, but you get to see a lot of people that we may not otherwise get to see,” Strough said.

Martin said even though collecting donations can be challenging, a positive attitude is what keeps him going.

“A lot of people are just gonna drive by but bring great energy to them also. Give them a smile, give them a wave. You never know what kind of days people are having,” he said.