December 2021 – Page 38 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

Saturday events

Free COVID vaccines available for children 5-11 today at Donnelly

Free COVID vaccines for children 5-11 years old from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Donnelly College Event Center, 608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The clinic is open to children. Signups are at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/697014812138174049/false#/invitation.

COVID vaccines, testing, flu shots and free food today at Mt. Carmel Church

A COVID vaccine drive-through event is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Mt. Carmel Church, 2025 N. 12th St., Kansas City, Kansas. This event will have COVID vaccines, testing, flu shots and free food. COVID vaccines are for ages 12 and older, while flu shots are for ages 3 to 65. Everyone who receives a COVID vaccine will get a $25 gift card, and the first 100 people will receive two gift cards. The first 300 people to get a COVID test, COVID vaccine or flu shot will receive a free frozen chicken. The food and giveaways are available until supplies run out. The Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force is a sponsor of this event, with several other groups.

Winter Speakers Series to start Saturday at Grinter Place

Grinter Place will kick off its Winter Speakers Series at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. David Meditz will speak about George Washington Jackson, a Wyandotte County citizen who had ties to the late President U.S. Grant. The Dec. 11 presentation will include information about a Spanish-American War infantry unit with almost all Wyandotte County residents. Grinter Place is a state historic site at 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The museum is the 1857 home of Moses and Annie Grinter. There is no admission charge for the speakers series. Questions and answers will follow the program, which is expected to be 30 to 45 minutes long. Tours of the Grinter House will be available. The historic house is decorated for Christmas in the style of the 1850s. Light refreshments including cinnamon rolls, coffee and tea, will be served on Dec. 11.

Olde World Christmas tours at Strawberry Hill Museum

The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas, is decorated for the holidays, and is offering tours of the museum. There are scheduled tours only available. For more information and tickets, visit https://strawberryhillmuseum.org/.

Santa’s Express in Lights continues at Ag Hall

This is the last weekend for the Ag Hall’s drive-through holiday light show, Santa’s Express in Lights, from Dec. 10-12 at 126th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. People will stay in their cars. The family-friendly show from 5:30 to 9 p.m. will feature a drive-through living nativity, with animals including sheep, goats, camel, cow and donkey. Christmas trees will be decorated, and the Ag Hall buildings and train will be lighted. Kids can wave to Santa Claus, and can drop off letters in Santa’s mailbox. People may drop off canned goods for area food pantries. The admission charge will be $10 per car, with proceeds benefiting the Ag Hall. See Ag Hall, https://www.aghalloffame.com/events/santas-express-in-lights

Knights of Lights celebration at Renaissance Festival

The Renaissance Festival returns with Knights of Lights Holiday Celebration from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, on the festival grounds, 130th and State, Bonner Springs. Patrons may walk through the Renaissance Festival grounds, viewing lights, enjoying performances, and buying food. The cost will be $14.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids 5-12 in advance. At the gate, prices are $18 for adults and $13 for kids 5-12. Producing the Renaissance Festival’s light show will be Landers’ Visions.
Hours at the Renaissance Festival will be Thursdays and Sundays: 5-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays: 5-11 p.m., Dec. 20-24: from 5-10 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. On New Year’s Eve, open for a special celebration from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. See Renaissance Festival, https://www.kcrenfest.com/2021-knights-of-lights/

Holiday Light and Magic show in the park

New this year at 126th and State will be the Unified Government’s Parks Department’s drive-through Holiday Light and Magic show, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, in Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State, Bonner Springs.
With the UG’s mile-long drive-through contact-less lighting show, patrons will buy advance tickets online for a time slot per day. The time slots are aimed at controlling traffic. For example, tickets are available for 6 p.m., 7 p.m. 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. The cost of the tickets will be $25 per car, $35 per commercial van, and $45 per bus on Fridays and Saturdays. The holiday light shows will go through Jan. 2.
People at the UG’s light show will stay in their cars. Tickets for the UG’s Holiday Light and Magic show will not be sold in person at the gate. All tickets are sold in advance online. Proceeds go to the UG Parks. See UG Parks Department, https://holidaylightandmagic.com/

It’s recommended to visit the website for the holiday light show you’re interested in before going. Also, look at the maps, directions and other information posted online to make sure you’re in the right place.

Unified Government holds appreciation event for area volunteers

Celebrates more than 180,000 donated hours in service to community

The Unified Government honored volunteers with an appreciation event Friday at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Krystal McFeders, Unified Government public information officer )

Earlier today, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, honored more than 150 individuals who volunteer across multiple government department and programs at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Event.

From the parks to the front lines of the COVID19 response, volunteers have helped reach more people across neighborhoods with their gift of time and passion for the community.

This year’s event was structured slightly different from previous years by allowing volunteers to stop in to Memorial Hall between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., engage directly with Unified Government staff and county administration, enjoy a boxed lunch as well as pick up various appreciation goodies from different stations.

In 2021, volunteers made a tremendous impact in the day-to-day operations of many Unified Government agencies and departments by providing over 180,000 volunteer hours.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 700 people served as volunteers, helping provide key services to the entire community.

“We thank the members of our community who have committed themselves to improving the health and well-being of others,” said Doug Bach, county administrator. “Our volunteers inspire us daily and we appreciate their help with all that we do.”

Volunteers have served in many UG departments including the Health Department, Wyandotte County Museum, Human Resources, KCK Police and Fire Chaplains, Sheriff’s Department and Area Agency on Aging, and others. The Unified Government is always looking for great volunteers to help make a positive impact in the community. Those who would like more information or have questions about volunteering with the UG, may visit the website, wycokck.org.