Articles

The 12th annual Joplin Memorial Run honors the 161 victims of the 2011 tornado while celebrating the city’s resilience, drawing thousands of participants and volunteers for a day of remembrance, community, and charity fundraising.

After a chronic cystic fibrosis diagnosis and major surgery, runner Terra Oxendine used movement, faith, and determination to aid her recovery, now maintaining her health through regular exercise, nutrition, and a positive mindset.

FosterAdoptConnect (FAC) in Joplin supports abused and neglected children and their families through innovative programs, advocacy, and hands-on assistance, with upcoming events like the Journey Home bus tour and Sip & Swing fundraiser helping to raise awareness and funds for their vital services.

Joplin NALA, a nonprofit supporting adult literacy through free classes and tutoring, is hosting its first fundraising Joplin History Murder Mystery dinner on June 3 to raise funds for expanding its impactful educational programs in the community.

Slumber Soiree, founded by Skye Edwards and Brittany Borries, offers hassle-free themed sleepover parties for kids and adults in the Joplin area, handling setup and takedown to create memorable, stress-free events right in your home.

As part of Joplin’s 150th anniversary, the city will celebrate its official flower with a self-guided iris garden tour on May 13, featuring maps, treats, and commemorative cookie cutters, highlighting the iris’s history and significance to the community.

Connect2Culture’s summer concerts at Joplin’s Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex feature local indie rock band Me Like Bees and Grammy-winning folk duo The Okee Dokee Brothers, offering outdoor performances that celebrate music, community, and nature.

Ed and Susan Wuch have dedicated years to volunteering for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States, especially through recycling efforts and supporting families in need, making their service a model of community commitment and compassion.

Joplin artist Josh Okerson, inspired and mentored by 90-year-old Michael F. Wright, turned to painting as a way to cope with personal setbacks and now pursues his art passionately, drawing on emotion and encouragement to fuel his creative journey.