by Rynn Day, United Way of Wyandotte County
There was a festive spirit Thursday, May 12, inside the Vox Theatre in Kansas City, Kan., during United Way of Wyandotte County’s annual campaign celebration event.
More than 230 people gathered to celebrate the local companies and volunteers that raised funds throughout the 2015/2016 fiscal year campaign.
“We were so excited to honor all the people that make our work possible,” Wendell Maddox, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Wyandotte County, said. “Without the support of our volunteers and our local companies that run workplace campaigns we would not be able to raise the funds that support over 50 programs in Wyandotte County.”
The campaign’s projected total is $2,017,380, and there are still campaign dollars coming in, according to officials.
Guests enjoyed food and beverages while emcee Mary Pulley, Fox 4 news anchor and UWWC board member, announced the campaign’s accomplishments. Local companies honored included: Kellogg Company, Berkel and Co., Providence Medical Center, First Legends Bank, Geiger Ready Mix, Rental City, Glazier, L.G. Barcus, Community First Bank, and Garsite. UWWC also honored two of their nonprofit partner agencies that saw an increase in their workplace campaign; Mental Health America of the Heartland and El Centro Inc.
“We were thrilled to have several new local companies support UWWC through workplace campaigns,” Cindy Cash, UWWC resource development director, said. “That commitment shows that our community understands the need for the programs UWWC funds and the community partnerships it makes possible.”
One of those partnerships was highlighted through the current volunteer campaign chair, Bill Johnson, a Board of Public Utilities employee and UWWC board member. Johnson addressed the crowd thanking local companies for their commitment to Wyandotte County.
“I really enjoyed working with companies and folks I’ve met through BPU in a way that benefits our community,” Johnson said.
Johnson also introduced the new 2016-2017 volunteer campaign chair, Sheriff Don Ash. Sheriff Ash received a roar of applause as he committed over the next year to work hard to raise even more funds to support human services programming in Wyandotte County.
To find out more about United Way of Wyandotte County visit www.unitedway-wyco.org.
