Local Organizations

I have been compiling this list of local organizations for a while now, but it's far from complete.  There are many organizations that I haven't heard back from, but twice as many that I haven't even had a chance to reach out to yet.  I'll repost it once in a while as updates are made.  If you have a correction, update, or an addition you'd like to make, please email hocomedia@gmail.com.  

Take a chance to look over it and see what these amazing groups are doing for the community.  It may inspire you to join one or share it with someone new to the community.  

American Legion Post 273 - Commander-Josh Kirby - 660-888-3486

• The American Legion is a Veterans service organization that promotes community involvement and provides support to local veterans. Philanthropic events we currently participate in are the Boys State Program, Flag Retiring, and we provide scholarships for three different local seniors a year. We meet every second Wednesday of the month, 6pm at the Fayette Housing Authority, 302 Villers dr. - We also participate in the Memorial Day program and the Veterans Day program each year.

Association of Women for Education - https://www.facebook.com/FayetteAWE/

• The Association of Women for Education grants a scholarship to a deserving woman pursuing a degree in an institution of higher education, donates a book to each elementary student in the local school district annually, and recognizes academic achievements of school girls by fundraising and awarding those outstanding achievements of young women.   AWE meets once a month on the 4th Tuesday at 7:00 P.M.

Book Club - 660-248-3348

• In 2008 the Fayette Book Club Celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a reception at the library and a donation to the library - plus a goal of 100+ hours of service by club members.  The Book Club continues its support of the Howard County Public Library. Several meetings a year are set aside for volunteer projects at the library. An annual Christmas gift is given to the library plus additional donations from time to time. Call for meeting times and more information.  

Boonslick Women’s Business Network - https://www.facebook.com/boonslickwomensbusinessnetwork/

• The Boonslick Women's Business Network mission: Developing and empowering the women of Howard and Cooper counties to cultivate and grow local businesses, nonprofits and government agencies.  Only requirement to join: Must live or work in Cooper or Howard counties. Membership dues are $40 per year or $20 semi-annually payable by cash, check made out to the MoWBC or online. Generally speaking, the group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. at alternating locations. ​

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​Central Mo Athletic Circuit - (573) 999-3106

• The mission of CMAC is to promote healthy activity and opportunities through running for boys and girls ages 6-14 in Central Missouri. We want to give every youth in Central Missouri the opportunity to discover if running is their gift and passion at an early age.

Fayette Area Community Theatre (FACT) - Bridget Hussey 573-823-9304 – FB and fayetteact@gmail.com

• Fayette Area Community Theatre is located in Fayette (Missouri). We are a volunteer-driven not-for-profit seeking to provide opportunities for theatrical excellence in mid-Missouri.

Fayette Jr. Optimists - Kelly Elliott, Sponsor - kellyjo1969@yahoo.com - 573-489-1785

• The Jr. Optimist Club of Fayette wants to make the community a better place for the youth and therefore a better place for all.  All funds raised are used to help the local youth. They have helped Youth Basketball League, Girls Summer Softball, Optimist Youth Football, Flag Football, Food Pantry, Buddy Pack Program, and were instrumental in getting the tire playground area in the City Park.  The kids also host a carnival every year for kids from ages 3 thru 10 and Family Game Night for Daly Elementary families every year. They hold reading contests for the Daly Elementary and Clark Middle School students several times a year and give prizes to the winners.  We work concession stands for Optimist Youth Football, Summer Rec, and Youth Basketball. There are several other activities that they have also participated in. The Jr. Optimist participate in parades, have a Christmas party, and a Summer Party for fun and as a reward for their hard work to make Fayette a safe and fun place for kids to grow up.  Check out our FaceBook page "Jr. Optimist Club of Fayette." #kidshelpingkids​

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​Fayette Main Street – Rick Alexander ph. 573-864-1138

• Fayette Main Street, Inc. is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with the main purpose of developing and implementing a comprehensive historic preservation-based, economic development strategy for revitalizing downtown Fayette using the Main Street Four-Point Approach as formulated by the National Trust of Historic Preservation.​

Fayette Optimist Club - https://www.facebook.com/FayetteOptimistClub/

• The Fayette club meets every Friday morning for breakfast at 6:30 A.M. in the Catholic Church Multipurpose building in Fayette. The itinerary is; breakfast, followed by a short meeting, with dismissal by 7 A.M.  All are welcome to come see what we are about. We always welcome new members!

FHS Jr. Optimist Club - Kelly Elliott, Sponsor - kellyjo1969@yahoo.com - 573-489-1785

• The FHS Jr. Optimist Club of Fayette has the same mission as the Jr. Optimist Club.  They also work at concession stands and help the Optimist Club with the annual Tractor Pull.  They have had a hypnotist come for entertainment for the community and held a "Back Street Bowling" and BBQ for local kids and have held dances for middle school students.  They help the members of the Jr. Optimist Club of Fayette whenever needed. The FHS Jr. Optimist Club of Fayette is in charge of the Youth Cheerleading for the Optimist Youth Football games.  They hold car washes and work concession stands to help raise money for the equipment and uniforms needed. Check out our FaceBook page "FHS Jr. Optimist Club of Fayette".

Friends of the Howard County Library - 660-248-3348

• The friends strive to improve and promote the library as an educational, cultural and recreational resource and as an asset to Howard County. They support the library and its staff in a variety of ways including:  Raising funds for library collections, raising funds for library programs, granting library wishes, volunteering at the library, and sponsoring an annual book sale. There are membership dues which go to purchase books for the library (and are tax deductible).  The Friends meet at the library on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. All members are welcome to attend.

Howard County Democrats - https://www.facebook.com/howardcodems/

• The Howard County Democrat Committee organizes local stump speakings, assists local candidates, and fundraises with other local nonprofits to improve the lives of those in the community.  We believe that government can & should help people live better lives. And we know that government is only as good as the People who participate in it! The committee meets once a month. All are welcome!  ​

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Howard County Fair Board - Christine Fuhlage, 660-888-6162, Mailing address PO BOX 468, Fayette, Mo 65248

• The Howard County Fair Board provides a county-wide activity for all ages and interests, provides a showcase for 4-H and FFA projects, and promotes agricultural entrepreneurial ship and quality of family life.  Meeting dates – first Tuesday of each month at the Ag Building at the School at 7 P.M.

Howard County Health and Wellness Council (HCHWC) - https://www.facebook.com/HCHWC65248/

• The Howard County Health and Wellness Council is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes to promote community health and wellness of Howard County through education, collaboration with partnering organizations and agencies, and promotion of activities which enhance physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Meets once a month.

New Franklin Lions Club -  Kelly Pihana Rackley, Secretary, krackley@addisonlabs.com

• Mission Statement: To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs. NF Lions Club provides NFHS Scholarships annually, are a Buddy Pack sponsor, and hold the Annual New Franklin Christmas Parade. Our fundraisers benefit all of the above.

PAWS: Pet Adoption and Welfare Service - 660-248-2739

• The purpose of PAWS is to educate and promote pet health and welfare and to provide adoption services in partnership with the City of Fayette Dog Pound.

Santa Fe Trail Days Betterment -  Nikki Eaton - stephanieb69@hotmail.com

• A new non-profit organization that will organize Santa Fe Trail Days in New Franklin, donate food (burger patties, hot dogs, buns) for the high school students to sell, donate those proceeds back to the school and offer free vending spaces for New Franklin classes to set up and work to raise money for their class.  The festival will be held September 14-15.  Contact Nikki if you'd like more information.  

South Howard County Historical Society - https://www.facebook.com/South-Howard-County-Historical-Society-210420989056798/

• South Howard County Historical Society was started in the 1980’s as a group that promotes historic preservation, it is an information center of years gone by.  Since that time the organization has grown to include local family histories, the Santa Fe Trail, the MKT railroad, history of the area towns, veteran’s and much more.  The historic society now includes a small museum that has both permanent and rotating displays. Currently there is a rural and New Franklin schools display that tells the history of the one room schools and the other small schools that graced Southern Howard County.  Museum hours are 1-4 on Saturdays and Sundays from April through early November. The school display runs through the month of July. South Howard County Historical Society worked hard fundraising to raise money for the Santa Fe Trail monument that graces the entrance to​ New Franklin.  Two of the these fundraisers are done each year - The New Franklin Cork and More Wine Walk is held every year on the 3rd Saturday in March and the Mo Mug Craft Beer Festival that is held the first Saturday in October.

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