1. Where do you work?

2. How long have you lived in St. Louis?
I have only been here about two and half years. I lived in Springfield, Missouri, before moving here, and before that I was in Columbia.

3. How and when did you get involved with GenNext?
I got involved with GenNext about a year ago. I was looking for opportunities to get involved and meet people. Anna Gettemeier told me about GenNext and I liked it because of the variety of all the volunteer opportunities.

4. What’s been your favorite GenNext activity or memory?
It would have to be the prom at ARC. That was really fun. A lot of the people got dressed up and one of the other GenNext members brought corsages for us.

5. Why are volunteerism and philanthropy important to your generation?
I think our generation takes some things for granted. Some of us are used to taking instead of giving. I think it’s important to make an equal balance of “live, work, play.”

6. Where would you like to see GenNext in five years?
I’m pretty new so right now I am still getting to know everything about GenNext.

7. What was your favorite television show growing up?
I loved Scooby Doo and The Smurfs.

8. Do you like salty or sweet snacks?
A delicate combination of both. Right now I am into cupcakes.

9. What is the one thing that you can’t live without?
This sounds so superficial and girly, but my lip gloss.

10. Are you a football fan? 
Yes. I’m not into the NFL, but I like college football. I’m a Mizzou fan. I usually try to make it up for homecoming every year, but I think this is the first year I won’t be able to be there.

Post what movie this quote is from by September 9 for a chance to win a “Live United” T-shirt. No IMDB allowed. Congrats to Rachel Zuellig who recognized Billy Madison last month and won!

Check out some photos of these awesome volunteers celebrating at Brennan’s.

This year, GenNext is on pace to complete over 2,500 volunteer hours and have over 500 young professionals volunteers. Both of these would be records for organization!

In attendance at the recognition event were sponsors Rodney Kinzinger from Deloitte and John Purcell from Monsanto. Both gave brief remarks about the importance of volunteering and the amazing United Way our community has. United Way president and CEO Gary Dollar was also on hand to thank volunteers for their commitment to the community.

In addition to recognizing all those who have volunteered with GenNext over the past year, special recognition was given to those who participated in five or more service projects. The following individuals were recognized as top volunteers:

• Amanda Bloemker
• Doug Bouck
• Kevin Byerley
• Rosha Chandler-Gordon
• Latorya Clinkscale
• Angel Colon
• Katie Graney
• Scoie Green
• Tiffany Hamilton
• Jennifer Harvey
• Erin Jones
• Megan Kniffen
• Chris Mayer
• Jason McGaughey
• Scott Nager
• Britni Nguyen
• Christine Norrick
• Miriam Paris
• Ashley Payne
• Pradeep Rajendran
• Matthew Schneider
• Morgan Smith
• Whitney Sparks
• Donny Trankler
• Melissa Vanost
• Kyle Walker
• Jeanne Whitley
• Heather Whitten
• Matt Wittmann

These individuals’ employers received a special thank you letter from Gary Dollar.

Click here to sign up.

Admission is $25/person and includes entry into the washers tournament, food and drinks. You can register individually, as a team or without entry to the tournament (but you better bring your cheering A-game). And of course, our winners will get some awesome prizes.

Thanks to Northwestern Mutual, who is again sponsoring the event, all of the money raised will go directly to helping people through United Way.

The 2010 United Way campaign kicks off Tuesday, September 7. For more information on the United Way campaign or to help start a campaign in your workplace, please e-mail gennext@stl.unitedway.org.

Registration will open soon so get your washer box out, start practicing your throws and save the date for September 25! In the meantime, check out photos from last year.

Are you coming? Do you have stories from last year? Questions? Let us know below.

Post what movie this quote is from by August 12 for a chance to win a “Live United” T-shirt. No IMDB allowed. Congrats to last month’s winner, Heather Whitten, who recognized a quote from Independence Day.

2. How long have you lived in St. Louis?
I’ve lived in St. Louis all my life. I went away to college, but I only went to Mizzou so I didn’t go far.

3. How and when did you get involved with GenNext?
I got involved earlier this year, around January or February. A friend of mind from college has been involved with GenNext and he was telling me about all the opportunities they offer. I was finally at a good place in my career where I could devote some time to giving back so I decided GenNext would be perfect.

4. What’s been your favorite GenNext activity or memory?
Definitely St. Louis Serves Day. I was at a school in St. Louis painting. It was really eye-opening for me when I talked to some of the employees. Their whole job was centered on philanthropy. It actually made me feel a little self-centered. It made me want to devote more of my time to helping people.

5. Why are volunteerism and philanthropy important to your generation?
I think most people feel it is important to give back. It puts everything in perspective. A lot of young professionals have had a lot of opportunities and others have not been so fortunate. It teaches us to value what we have.

6. Where would you like to see GenNext in five years?
I would like to see GenNext in more cities and college campuses. I think it would help for GenNext to be on college campuses to prepare individuals to start giving back.

7. What is your favorite restaurant in St. Louis?
This is a hard one. I love food. I am going to say Frazers. Everything there is just delicious. I’m also going to say Dressel’s because they had the best pretzel I have ever had.

8. Who did you want to be like when you were growing up?
Sarah Brightman. She is an opera singer. She was the original Christine in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. I had signed pictures of her up in my room. I wanted to be just like her, until I realized that I had no talent.

9. What show do you watch on TV that you are embarrassed to tell people?
What’s embarrassing about this question is that I don’t even have a television, so I don’t watch TV. I sometimes go to Hulu and watch Colbert, but that’s about it.

10. Do you have any plans for the end of the summer?
No plans. I wish I did. I haven’t taken a vacation in a while. I unfortunately had to use most of my vacation time when I was sick earlier this year.

Saturday, August 7th, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
YWCA of Metro St. Louis
4150 S. Kingshighway
St. Louis, MO 63109

Volunteers will help assist with enhancing the interior exterior of the facility with clean up as well as some basic landscaping. RSVP >

Sunday, August 8, 2 - 5 p.m.
Epworth Children & Family Services
6816 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63130

Volunteers will assist with cleaning the agency’s emergency shelter and transitional living housing. RSVP >

Sunday, August 14, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
1867 Lackland Hill Parkway
St. Louis, MO 63146

Volunteers will help prepare over 3,000 registration kits for an agency event. RSVP > 

Sunday, August 21, 3 - 6 p.m.
Mary Ryder Home
4361 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63108

Volunteers will help facilitate fun activities with seniors within this residential facility. RSVP >

Post what movie this quote is from as a comment below by July 11 for a chance to win a “Live United” T-shirt. No IMDB allowed (and you shouldn’t need it for this one!).

The award recognizes achievements by individuals under 30 who have achieved success beyond their years. The list includes entrepreneurs, young executives on the fast track and community leaders. Winners were chosen on their contributions to their industry as well as their work with local community organizations. GenNext volunteers and leaders consistently show up on the list year after year.

Giving back and winning awards seems to be a regular occurrence at the Prest home. Adam’s wife, Erin, was a 30 Under 30 winner in 2009. Erin is also on the GenNext steering committee and both she and Adam are regulars at service projects.

While Britni and Raegan are pretty new to the group, they have quickly become active. Britni is one of the 2009/2010 GenNext top volunteers, completing more than five service projects in her first year. Raegan is working within her company, Monsanto, to engage GenNexters there.

Like Raegan, Alicia is not only a GenNext member, but also member of United Way’s Young Leaders and Women’s Leadership societies. Her donation of time and money has made a huge impact on the region.

In addition to volunteering with GenNext, Jon’s company, Gorilla 76, designed the GenNext website. Jon’s work has helped create one of the area’s best young professional websites.

Also being recognized as a 30 Under 30 winner is United Way staff member Evan Krauss. Evan is a vital member of the GenNext team who often works behind the scenes. Evan is the GenNext project point person, setting up all of the GenNext service projects. In addition, Evan also organized the MLK Day of Service and is co-leading the Servathon effort — both of which draw tons of GenNext volunteers.

Congratulations to these individuals and all 30 Under 30 winners. The winners will be featured in the July 9 issue of the St. Louis Business Journal. There will be a reception on Thursday, July 15. For ticket information, visit the Business Journal at http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis.