(COURTESY OF THE UNITED WAY)

Every campaign has a story and United Way of Wyandotte County’s campaign was no different this year.

United Way supporters shared their stories at the Celebration lunch yesterday as campaign chairs, Dr. Jill Shackelford and Jeff Manning, celebrated the campaign’s success of raising slightly more than $2 million to date.

“When we LIVE UNITED and when we give united; we’re going to make Wyandotte County a better place to be,” Dr. Shackelford, Superintendent of the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools and campaign co-chair, said. “We appreciate your efforts to dig down a little bit deeper and give united.”

This year’s United Way’s goal is $2.4 million. A bold goal was set knowing that it would be difficult to attain in a struggling economy, but it is the amount that United Way felt it needed to meet the growing needs in the community.

United Way will continue to reach out to new accounts and revisit those who did not give this year. Major campaign contributor, General Motors, will play an important role in helping to make up the difference. In January, they will be adding a third shift with a 1,000 new employees.

“GM is a proud supporter of United Way. We plan on campaigning our new workers once they get settled in after the first of the year,” Jeff Manning, President of UAW Local 31 and labor campaign chair, announced. “We’re dedicated to ensuring that every worker has an opportunity to give and support the needs of the community.”

United Way of Wyandotte County’s mission is to increase the community’s understanding of human needs and to mobilize resources to meet those needs.

“I am confident that we be able to raise those resources,” Wendell Maddox, President and CEO, United Way of Wyandotte County, said. “The campaign has been extended until we are able to meet the need.”

Campaigns are traditionally deemed successful based on how much capital is raised, but it’s the stories behind the dollars that really define them and those stories were told at the United Way celebration event by committed supporters.

Breit’s Stein and Deli raised more than $1,000 in one evening with a cookout. Kaw Valley Arts assisted in hosting the first holiday art sale for United Way, which provided a new avenue of support. Staff at White Church Elementary in USD 500 challenged its students to raise $1,000.

In exchange, the teachers and principal dined on a feast of live bugs. The University of Kansas Hospital ran an online campaign and exceeded its goal by more than $10,000. Edwardsville Elementary combined two United Way principles, giving and advocating, in its walk to school day for United Way. Students raised pledges to promote healthy exercise by walking to school.

These are the stories about our caring community that were celebrated during this year’s United Way of Wyandotte County Campaign celebration.

To find out more information about how to donate to United Way of Wyandotte County call (913) 371-3674 or visit www.unitedway-wyco.org.

While the United Way of Wyandotte County has raised over $2 million during its fundraising campaign, the organization will extend its campaign in order to hit its goal of $2.4 million.

A celebration lunch will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Jack Reardon Convention Center from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“We will continue to work and do what is needed to meet the growing need in our community,” said Wendell Maddox, President and CEO, United Way of Wyandotte County. “This community has shown its generosity over the years, and I have faith that by continuing to work together, we will meet the needs in Wyandotte County.”  

A silent auction at the event. Donations from local businesses such as Proctor & Gamble, Trave Benefits by Design, Show Me Shooters Indoor Range, Legends 14 Theaters, Sunflower Hills Golf COurse, Hilton Garden, Gold's Gym and Rainbow Brushless Car Wash.

Jennifer Jo Cobb will host the event. Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools Superintendent Jill Shackelford and United Auto Workers Local 31 President Jeff Manning are the co-chairs for the event.

“We’re celebrating progress and thanking all of our supporters, but by no means are we done campaigning. We’ve raised $2 million, and we’re determined to reach our stretch goal of $2.4 million by extending the campaign in order to meet our community’s needs,” Shackelford said. “We need everyone who is able to make a contribution to please consider doing so.”

The event is opened to the public. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling the United Way at (913) 371-3674.

A great opportunity for you exists to help jump start the holiday season. On Friday November 20, at City Hall Plaza the Downtown Holiday Lighting Festival will take place.

This is a great event that brings the community together. There will be entertainment, food, decorated trees from the neighborhood associations, a visit with Santa, goodie bags for the first 1000 children, an opportunity to meet some of the Wizards’ players, free movies, popcorn and crafts for the children.

Activities will take place at City Hall Plaza. The event is planned to start at 4pm and end at 7pm with the lighting of the mayor’s tree.

In order for this event to be successful we need volunteers. Volunteers act as greeters and direct visitors to various activities. They guide guest through the display of trees decorated by the neighborhood associations. 

Other volunteers will see that those guest watching movies have popcorn and still others will help give cotton candy to the children. Some volunteers will help guide the line of children and families waiting to see Mr. & Mrs. Clause. For those volunteers who like to ham-it-up, there are opportunities for you to dress in costume and visit with the guests.

There is also a need for volunteers to help with the various costumed characters and entertainers. These are just a few of the many volunteer opportunities available.

To volunteer or to find out more information please contact Diane at 913-371-3674 or a dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

The United Way of Wyandotte County and Kaw Valley Arts are hosting an Art Sale during the second Friday Art Walk November 13, 2009. The Art & Soul of the Community, art sale, will be just one stop on the art walk and will be held at Reardon Center.

There are over 30 local artists that will have items to sell. Items include jewelry, paintings, textiles, photographs, note cards, pottery, and CD’s, to name just a few items. 

What a great way to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Proceeds from the Art Sale will benefit the United Way of Wyandotte County. Not only can you shop and make a dent on your Christmas list but you can also help the United Way of Wyandotte County in its efforts to support programs that help those in need in our community.

McAnany Van Cleave and Phillips and the Hilton Garden Inn are sponsors of this event. Appetizers will be available to shoppers and gift wrapping will be available.

Volunteers are being recruited to help the evening of the event. The event will begin at 4pm and end at 8pm. If you have a knack for wrapping gifts, then we have volunteer positions available. We are also recruiting greeters who can welcome shoppers and provide directions to the artists.

Volunteers are needed to make sure that the artists have refreshments and to help shoppers carry purchases to their car. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Diane at 913-371-3674.

The United Way of Wyandotte County and Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities will host an art sale on Friday, Nov. 13.

The sale will be held at the Reardon Civic Center from 4-8 p.m. in conjunction with the Kansas City, Kan., Second Friday Art Walk.

“We really want to emphasize the importance of supporting United Way and the emerging downtown art scene with this holiday event,” said Cathy Breidenthal, United Way community volunteer and event chair. “It would be great to see more than 200 supporters at the showcase.”

The art show, entitled Art and Soul of the Community, will feature more than 30 artists from the Kansas City metro area. Items such as jewelry, ceramics, hand-dyed scarves, hand-tooled silver, paintings, photos and other items will be available for purchase.
 

Last week I talked about the upcoming holidays and gave you ideas of how you might help out during the holidays. I will continue on that theme this week and focus on Associated Youth Services, AYS and their holiday needs.
 
Associated Youth Services exists to advance the social, educational, health and overall success of youth and their families. The vision of AYS is that youth and families engage in community, recognize life's unlimited opportunities and reach their full potential. Last year AYS served nearly 5000 youth in need in our community.

Annually, in December, AYS with support of staff, board, and many volunteers hosts a celebration of youth at the annual “Winter Chill” event. Youth and their families are invited. This event flourishes because of volunteers. The event is scheduled for December 3, 2009.

Volunteers are needed in the weeks prior to the event to assist staff to create 300 small gifts to give the guests in attendance at the Winter Chill party. In addition, prior to the event volunteers are needed to help wrap boxes that will be filled with donated food items. Of course the volunteers will need to ready the decorations for the tables and the banquet hall.

Volunteers serve in a variety of jobs. There are volunteers needed to help prepare for this event. Volunteers unload the vans. They help prepare a traditional Turkey dinner.  In addition volunteers help decorate the hall and tables to give the venue a festive appearance.

During the event volunteers will serve food and beverages to the guests, distribute gifts, bus tables, wash and dry dishes and clean-up after the event. All volunteers will be trained on-site. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

AYS would like to give each child in attendance at the event a winter hat and a warm pair of gloves. They need helping collecting these items. Maybe you can organize a drive at your work place or church.

All hats and gloves must be ready for pick-up by November 30, 2009. If you are interested in organizing a hat and glove drive or in volunteering to help make the “Winter Chill’ event a memorable experience please contact Karen at 913-831-2820, ext 231 or at KRohrer@aysusa.org.

The holidays are fast approaching. That means that there are more opportunities to volunteer. These opportunities are short term in duration. Let’s start with Halloween.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is sponsoring a Halloween party on Saturday, October 31, 2009.

Volunteers are needed to help set-up and tear down for the event, lead games, prepare candy bowls and goody bags to name just a few of the activities available for volunteers. If you want to volunteer for this event please contact. Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org. 

Alcott Arts Center is sponsoring a Trunk or Treat and haunted forest on October 31, 2009. Volunteers are needed prior to the event to help set-up and decorate. Then during the event volunteers can help give out candy and help provide entertainment. Volunteers can come in costume.

The time for this event 5pm-8pm. If you want to volunteer contact Chris at 913-233-2787 or alcott_arts@yahoo.com.

Thanksgiving dinners will be served at Center of Hope and Pleasant Green Baptist Church. Volunteers can help prepare the meals, serve the meals and of course help clean-up after the meals. To volunteer at Center of Hope please contact Marsha at 913- 233-2511.

If you want to help at Pleasant Green contact Bernice or Ethel at 913-371-5393. By the way, Pleasant Green takes meals to shut-ins so they also need volunteers to deliver these meals.

These are just a few of the many holiday focused volunteer opportunities in our community. I will tell you about more holiday volunteer opportunities in the coming weeks.  If you need information on volunteering please contact me at 913-371-3674 or check out our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.

Gilbert Castro has been selected by the United Way of Wyandotte County as the new director of the YouthBuild KCK program.

Castro, a former and now retired employee from the Unified Government, will replace Victory Hernandez, who has moved on to a position with the Kansas City, Kan., Housing Authority.

“I can barely wait to begin learning my new role,” Castro said. “I want this to be a seamless change in leadership. I’m working hard to support the staff and to continue mentoring our youth.  Both are vital in these tough economic times.” 

Prior to becoming director, Castro served as the Job Developer and Leadership Coordinator for YouthBuild KCK for more than a year.

As director, Castro says he hopes YouthBuild will become more sustainable during his time as director.

This week major television networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC will promote volunteerism.

Popular shows will have service-oriented plots, public service announcements will be aired and there will be special appearances. More than 50 primetime shows are participating in this nationwide effort to promote volunteering.

If you are motivated to volunteer here are just a few of the many opportunities available in our community. On October 29, a Thursday, Cross-Lines Community Outreach needs individuals or a small group to prepare, serve and clean-up after lunch in the Community Annex. This is an excellent opportunity to do your part to address the issue of hunger. You can contact Amber at 281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

Family Conservancy is looking for the right person to serve as their volunteer coordinator. This volunteer position will be for 20 hours per week. This is a challenging and exciting opportunity. The candidate should have strong organizational skills, good people skills and be able to motivate and lead other volunteers. For more information, please contact Rochelle at 913-742-4144 or at rparker@familyconservancy.org.

Maybe you like more physical labor. Kaw Valley Arts needs a volunteer to paint a gallery or two. KVA has the paint the equipment. Volunteers need to contact Carol at 913-371-0024 or at kariotisc@kvarts.org.

If you want to help one-on-one to steer a young person to the right path you might check out AYS (Associated Youth Services). This organization needs tutors to work with their junior high and high school students. A commitment of once week on a school day is required. For more information on how you can tutor please contact Karen at 913-831-2820, ext 218 or at KRohrer@aysusa.org.

These are a just few of the many volunteer opportunities that are available in our community. Please contact me to find other volunteer and service opportunities. Contact me at 913-371-3674 or at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

St Paul’s Episcopal Church serves as a resource for those in need in our community. Two days a week they operate a food pantry. The pantry is open on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

The pantry relies on the commitment of volunteers to keep the doors open the neighbors served.

Volunteers can do a variety of jobs on pantry day. Deliveries need to be unloaded and the goods need to be sorted and put on the shelves. Sometimes donations are received in bulk and volunteers then need to break down these donations into small useable quantities.

These jobs are great for a small group of volunteers and prefect for the teen group, at least 14 years old, who come with an adult supervisor.

It takes volunteers to help prepare the pantry for clients by cleaning and readying the shopping carts and helping to carry groceries to the car for neighbors. Volunteers help keep the site clean and organized. They can sweep and mop and sanitize all the work surfaces,

The pantry also needs volunteers to serve as a receptionist to welcome and greet neighbors. Volunteers also work at check-in to enter appropriate information in the computer.

This volunteer needs to know basic data entry and the ability to stay calm when the environment is hectic and to maintain confidentiality. The other volunteer position is that of registrar.

This volunteer helps to sing-up new neighbors, first time visitors to the pantry. This volunteer needs to have good people skills, be able to maintain confidentiality, and apply the guidelines established for the pantry.

Training is provided to all volunteers. The amount of training varies with the volunteer position. It is hoped that volunteers can make a commitment to serve the pantry on regular basis.

If you would like more information on these volunteer opportunities please contact Deacon Gail at 913-485-2527.  

A recent bake sale in the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District's central office raised about $150 dollars earlier this week for the United Way of Wyandotte County.

In September, the United Way of Wyandotte County announced a goal of raising $2.4 million in this year's fundraising campaign.

“We’ve worked hard to recruit many community volunteers this year to help us reach our goal,” said Wendell Maddox, President and CEO of United Way of Wyandotte County. “This year’s goal is 6 percent more than what was raised last year.”  

The unemployment rate in the metro area hovers around 8 percent. The experts tell us that it takes at least 12 -18 months before one finds another position.

That is a long time to sit idle. Individuals in between jobs posses a wealth of energy and talent. My challenge to you is to look for ways to share your energy and talents and keep your skills sharp.

Maybe now is the time to learn a new skill or improve on one of your weaker skills. How can you do this as you look for employment? The answer is simple VOLUNTEER.

Volunteer opportunities abound in our community. There are opportunities to fit almost all the different skill sets that someone may possess. There are also opportunities that allow volunteers to improve on or to learn new skills and better prepare you for the job market.

Do you enjoy meeting people? CROSS-LINES COMMUNITY OUTREACH needs a volunteer to staff the front desk. This position is very important since this person is the first contact the public has with the agency. The front desk receptionist greets all visitors and clients that come to the center and answers all incoming calls. The shift needed is on Tuesday, beginning on October 6th. The shift is from 12noon to 4:30pm. To volunteer, please contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is looking for volunteers who can stand-up for a child in need. Abused and neglected children who enter the child welfare system need caring adults to stand up for their rights and advocate for their best interest. All volunteers are screened and trained. For more information call 913-715-4040 or visit the website at www.casajwc.org.

Do you understand the important role that technology plays in our modern world? Do you understand how the computer expands learning and communication? Bethel Neighborhood Center needs a volunteer like you to help clients in the computer lab.

This is a good opportunity for the downsized worker to keep up skills and help someone at the same time. If you are interested in volunteering in the computer lab, please contact Matthew at 913.371.8218 or at msweeten@bethelcenter.org.

Do you like to drive but have nowhere to go?

Cancer Action is looking for volunteer drivers to take cancer patients to doctor appointments and treatments. Volunteers must be 21 years of age, have a valid drivers license and a good driving record.

All applicants are subject to a criminal background check and driving record check. For more information contact Leslie at (913) 642-8885 or at leslieb@canceractionkc.org.

Think back to those carefree days of college.

Now you have an opportunity to return to college and help make college life a little better for a struggling student. Donnelly College is in need of volunteers to be classroom assistants in arithmetic and basic algebra.

The volunteer should have basic knowledge of arithmetic and basic algebra. Volunteers will tutor and assist the teacher with checking papers and making copies. Volunteers are needed for the fall, spring and summer semesters. For more information on this opportunity contact Roger at 913-621-8744.

Check with your favorite non-profit. They may have an opening on their board that you can fill or maybe they are planning a special event and need local community representatives to serve on the planning committee. Can you tutor at the local grade school, volunteer with the after school program or scouting program at your church?

If you need additional information on volunteer opportunities please contact me at 913-371-3674 or through our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.

Annually the United Way of Wyandotte County bestows the SPIRIT of CARING Award to a United Way volunteer.

This year the award was presented to Brenda C. Jones, 

Brenda has been on the United Way Board of Directors for seven years.  Two of those years she served as Secretary of the Board which meant she also served on the Executive Committee. 

She has participated on several Board committees including the Agency Relations Committee where she led a citizen review panel that reviewed Agency program proposals. 

She has currently chairs the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Board. 

For our 2009 Campaign she is an Ambassador for the Eastern Wyandotte Campaign Division which means she will be doing fundraising in the neighborhood where she lives.  As a member of the Allocations Team, she knew first-hand about the great needs in our community. 

When the Board was asked to serve as volunteers for the campaign committee, she was one of the first to step forward. 

She embodies the United Way of Wyandotte County mission, “To increase the community’s understanding of human needs and to mobilize resources to meet those needs.” 

This only begins to touch on what Brenda does to give back to her community. Ms. Jones serves on the KCK Board of Education, she's actively involved with the Girl Scouts and her church to name just a few. 

We are truly grateful for the tremendous commitment she has made to the United Way of Wyandotte County and to the community.