Joanie McMahon
Going Beyond 2022: Joanie McMahon
Corporate Medical Specialist Joanie McMahon, a UFG Insurance employee at its Cedar Rapids branch, was named the 2022 Scotty McIntyre, Jr. Go Beyond Award winner.
The Go Beyond award honors the legacy of former UFG leader (and son of our company’s founder) Scotty McIntyre Jr., who engrained within our corporate culture the importance of giving back. In that spirit, UFG is honored to make a $5,000 contribution to Willis Dady Homeless Services, located in Cedar Rapids, in recognition of Joanie’s inspiring commitment to community service
See Joanie through the lens of those close to her as they share heartfelt stories of the positive difference she’s making in Cedar Rapids, and the heart-swelling moment Joanie learned she’d won this award.
Seeing the light in others
As a young girl, Joanie McMahon watched her mother selflessly serve others within their small farming community. Joanie and her 11 siblings also did their part by taking on tasks such as painting old buildings and assisting sick farmers with chores. This became the foundation upon which her strength, empathy and dedication to helping others was built.
Her desire to give back has continued into adulthood — in a big way. She’s supported her Cedar Rapids community by volunteering for Mercy Medical Center, McKinley Middle School, Linn County Medical Reserve Corps, Trees Forever and Save CR Heritage to name a few.
Joanie’s also extremely passionate about Willis Dady Homeless Services, an organization working to assist those homeless and near-homeless individuals in Cedar Rapids through shelter and prevention services.
“The best gift Joanie gives to the Willis Dady Emergency Overflow Shelter is her time,” Cheryl Steinke, corporate medical specialist supervisor and Joanie’s nominator explains. “She listens to their stories and has become a rock for many clients. It’s evident her kindness has built a kinship of care and value.”
Cheryl nominated Joanie for the Go Beyond award because she’s inspired by Joanie’s service to the Cedar Rapids community, and how well Joanie embodies UFG’s core values.
“I firmly believe that Scotty McIntyre, Jr. would have been proud to recognize Joanie as one of his UFG family members,” adds Cheryl. “All that she does is powered by her heart and spirit.”
Joanie pours her heart into the work she does at Willis Dady, no matter if that’s cleaning bathrooms, giving pedicures, hosting pizza parties, playing music (her trademark) on her Bose speaker or staying up late to listen and laugh with others. The physical and mental benefits of what she lovingly refers to as her “volunteering hobby” fuels her drive.
Denine Rushing, shelter services director at Willis Dady, has seen Joanie’s hard work and compassion firsthand. She believes seeing Joanie’s smiling face every week gives shelter clients a sense of stability.
“For her to come check on them (clients), remembering about their job interviews and congratulating them when they say they’ve gotten the job — those things really mean so much,” shares Denine.
Joanie knows some people just want to talk to someone and have an opportunity to tell their story. She’s more than willing to be that person for them.
Much to her own surprise, Joanie’s found a home and family through her work at Willis Dady. She describes how priceless it is seeing clients smile and the light that comes on in their eyes as they share sacred memories.
“When you come in with open eyes and listening ears,” she says, “you really become the light in their dark world.”
Joanie McMahon holds blue and silver 2022 Go Beyond trophy honoring her exceptional community service. Do you know a UFG agent or employee to nominate?
Nominations are accepted from January 1 through June 30 each calendar year.
