AT&T contributes funds, volunteer hours to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas

AT&T Pioneers is contributing $5,000 to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. From left to right were Chris Carroll, regional director of external and legislative affairs with AT&T Kansas; Cecil Allen, second vice president of the Kansas Chapter of AT&T Pioneers; Marvin Shoemake, life member representative with the Wy-Jo Council of the AT&T Pioneers; and Denise Ogilvie, vice president of outreach and grants management with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. (Photo from AT&T)

AT&T Pioneers is contributing $5,000 to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

The funds will be used to stock the organization’s two Mobile Resource buses with books, food, and clothing for those living in underserved areas throughout northeast Kansas.

The Wy-Jo Council of AT&T Pioneers nominated Catholic Charities, a not-for-profit that serves people of all faiths through its emergency assistance and strengthening programs, to receive the funding.

This year, through nominations by AT&T Pioneer chapters, AT&T plans to contribute $150,000 to charities around the nation.

In addition to funding, employees and retirees gave their time to serve as volunteers at TurnStyles Thrift store, a ministry of Catholic Charities.

“Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is grateful for the support of the Wy-Jo Council of AT&T Pioneers,” said Denise Ogilvie, vice president of Outreach and Grants Management with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. “Their generous contribution of both volunteers and financial support helps us fulfill our mission to provide unconditional love and necessary help to people of all faiths. Their contributions will particularly help us bring help and hope to families in rural communities.”

AT&T Pioneers is part of the Pioneers, the world’s largest industry-related volunteer organization. All members of the AT&T Pioneers are currently employed by or retired from AT&T. AT&T Pioneers volunteer more than 6 million hours annually responding to the individual needs of their communities.

“The Pioneers are always trying to effect change in our communities by helping to meet critical needs,” said Cecil Allen, second vice president of the Kansas Chapter of AT&T Pioneers. “We recognized a critical need in this community for food, clothing, and other supplies in both our rural and urban communities. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas works to meet those needs with their Mobile Resource bus program. In addition to volunteering for this organization, we wished to help augment that program by giving Catholic Charities this award to help stock their bus.”

The contribution is part of a special initiative that awards local funding based on the nominations of AT&T employee groups. The AT&T Community Engagement Contribution, established in 2007, gives these groups, with a strong record of volunteerism, the ability to identify nonprofits making a local impact.
– Story from AT&T