2015 Economic Impact Awards Community Involvement Champion: Buck Van Hooser

For Buck Van Hooser, an active interest in community service may have started in 1992 as a member and eventual president of the Pleasant View Parent-Teacher Association, but the roots run much deeper.

He credits over 20 years of community involvement, serving organizations including to Kiwanis Club of Ozark Empire and the American Cancer Society of Southwest Missouri’s Cattle Baron’s Ball, to the charitable efforts of his late great-uncle, Cecil Jones.

“He was doing Meals On Wheels before there was Meals On Wheels, and taking people to the doctor’s office because they couldn’t get there on their own,” Van Hooser says of Jones, a postal clerk who donated money and time toward helping others whenever the need arose.

“I observed him doing all these great works and it inspired me.”

Now, Van Hooser not only is a participant in many charitable efforts, but also he is trying to pass on that inspiration. Among the events he is most passionate about is the Ozarks Ride of The National MS Society’s Bike MS. Now in its 30th year, the September ride will mark his 17th as a rider. For Van Hooser – an account executive with E.W. Scripps Co.’s Journal Broadcast Group – it’s also his first as captain for Team KTTS-Radio Fliers.

“One of my goals with creating this new team is bringing in new riders,” Van Hooser says, adding so far 41 people have joined the prospective 50-rider team. With minimum fundraising contributions of $200 per rider, Van Hooser is confident the team will not only meet $10,000 in total donations, but also thinks a goal of $25,000 is not unrealistic.

“We’re not only bringing in new sponsors that have never participated in the ride before, but I’m actually getting some of them to ride on the team as well,” he adds.

“They’re having to go out and buy a bike to do it.”

Just as employers have requirements for prospective employees, so too does Van Hooser for the companies that employ him – he has to be able to take part in supporting his community.

“I need that in my life, and I might as well tell them upfront because if they can’t provide it then I can’t work for them,” Van Hooser says.

He’s been fortunate to work for companies, past and present, which understand that desire, and in some cases, reciprocate it. At Journal Broadcast Group, this includes the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital Radiothon, which Van Hooser estimates has raised over $1.75 million for the children’s hospital since 2001.

“They realize that’s one of the ingredients that creates loyalty, to let people help others that are important to them and feel supported by their company to do it,” he adds.

As a resident of the city’s northeast side, Van Hooser is a member and past chairman of the North Springfield Betterment Association and the North Springfield Betterment Foundation. Whether the group is recognizing business for development, homes for beautification or elementary school students for attendance, the impact, he says, makes residents think from a community mindset.

“Springfield is a very generous community and it amazes me when people are afraid to ask for support, because the worst thing somebody can do is say ‘no,’” Van Hooser says.

“If you plant flowers, you may find that somebody else plants flowers, but you might need to be the first one.”