MISSION, VISION, & CORE VALUES
MISSION
Live 2 Give Hope is dedicated to actively empowering individuals within our community by providing immediate support, fostering opportunities for future growth, and instilling a sense of enduring hope through meaningful connections and ultimately aiming to uplift lives both in the future, and for eternity with an emphasis on those involved in the child welfare system.
VISION
At Live 2 Give Hope, we envision a community where justice, compassion, and humility strengthen families. We are committed to treating every individual with dignity, offering support with kindness and empathy, and fostering collaboration to restore and empower families in need. Together, we work to create lasting, positive change by serving selflessly and building strong, resilient families.
CORE VALUES
• Act Justly – We ensure that every voice is heard and valued, treating people with dignity and respect. Beyond doing what is right, we are dedicated to restoring justice by addressing and repairing what has been broken.
• Love Mercy – We embody compassion, kindness, and empathy in all our actions and decisions. We care deeply for others, especially those who are vulnerable or in need, offering support without judgment. We foster an environment of grace, patience, and forgiveness, striving to uplift and empower individuals by responding to their needs with understanding and generosity. Loving mercy means going beyond transactional help—we build genuine relationships and show consistent kindness in all that we do.
• Walk in Humility – We lead with a mindset of service, knowing that no individual or organization stands above another. We embrace collaboration, recognizing that success comes through the collective efforts of our community. We are open to learning, value the contributions and perspectives of others, and take responsibility for our mistakes. Walking in humility means listening before acting, approaching challenges with a willingness to grow, and serving others selflessly. We prioritize the needs of our community, staying grounded in our mission rather than seeking personal recognition.
MEET THE TEAM
Sarah Stewart
President
Executive Director of Downtown Lebanon and Lebanon native, Sarah has been involved in community organizations for several years. Sarah is a founding member of Live 2 Give Hope. She is a past President of the Board of Directors for Project 360 Youth Services and also served for several years as the secretary of that board. She holds an MPA from Missouri State University and has worked for the Missouri Department of Social Services and the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Executive Director, Vice President & Fostering Hope Closet Manager
Laquita spent most of her career as a Service Coordinator, serving the elderly and disabled in Laclede County. She spent several years serving as the President of the R-I PTA. She has also served the community through her many years with the UM Outreach and Extension Center, including many years coordinating the County Fair Extension exhibit hall. Laquita is a founding member of Live 2 Give Hope.
Laquita Angst
John Angst
Treasurer & Outreach Director
Retired Pastor of Prosperine Baptist Church, John has served on a variety of charitable boards in the Laclede County Area. John is a founding member of Live 2 Give Hope and was its first Board President. John has previously served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Laclede County Pregnancy Support Center and is a long-time member of that board.
Secretary
A Lebanon native, Cori has a huge heart for foster care and helping others in need. She has spearheaded many groups, fundraiser, and events in service of her community. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Business from College of the Ozarks and has worked for the Missouri Department of Social Services.
Cori Clamme
Laura Gartin
Program Director & Board Member
A former foster and adoptive parent, local small business owner, and Lebanon native, Laura’s passion for helping others is the inspiration behind the Fostering Hope Closet. Laura is a founding member of Live 2 Give Hope with an MBA from Missouri State University. As a victim of sexual abuse, Laura is also an advocate for SA survivors and a Victim to Victim Retreat coach in partnership with H-E-A-R-T, Inc. She also serves as the Vice President for the Laclede County Pregnancy Support Center Board of Directors.
Board Member
Mary Russell
Eric Miller
Board Member
Eric Miller, a Lebanon native, pursued Political Science at The University of Chicago after graduating from Lebanon High School in 2000. A summer stint in Alaska led him to meet his wife, Heather Harris. Their journey took them across the country, living on a sailboat in the Chesapeake Bay and then to attend law school at the University of Alabama. Now settled in the Ozarks, Eric operates Miller Law Firm while his wife serves as Camden County’s Associate Circuit Judge. With two children, they balance work with their shared passion for travel, exploration, and academic pursuits, including his current studies at Harvard University. Volunteering with Live 2 Give Hope, he looks forward to contributing his skills and experiences to the organization’s mission.
Board Member
Hayden is an Army veteran and has served various communities, including Lebanon, for the last 11 years as a first responder. She is passionate about helping others and ensuring that they have a safe space. As a domestic violence survivor, she has used her experience to help educate others exiting the shadows of domestic violence. Hayden was crowned Mrs. Missouri American 2023 where she had the unique opportunity to help bring more awareness to the domestic violence and drug epidemics that our nation faces. She is currently pursuing a bachelors of Emergency Management at Drury University.
Hayden Dugger
Shonnie Dansby
Board Member
Shonnie is passionate about caring for the foster youth in our community and ensuring they each have a bright future. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Columbia College. Shonnie has been a social worker for 9 years and is currently a Recruitment Specialist for the Southwest Region of Children’s Division. Shonnie specializes in training and education, and she enjoys making community connections to support the foster care community.
Board Member
Sadie is the Outreach Director at Family Church in Lebanon, where she is blessed to serve in a variety of ways and connect individuals to a vast array of community resources. As a Lebanon native, she loves her community and is honored to connect with, love on, pray for, and serve her neighbors. Sadie is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education from Central Methodist University.
Sadie Dugger
YOUR DONATIONS ALWAYS HELP
Every donation, big or small helps Live 2 Give Hope continue to offer services free of charge to community members.