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.
Story and photos by Krystal McFeders, Unified Government public information officer
More photos from the Unified Government volunteer appreciation event Friday at Memorial Hall. (Photo by Krystal McFeders, Unified Government public information officer ) 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 ) 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 ) More photos from the Unified Government volunteer appreciation event Friday at Memorial Hall. (Photo by Krystal McFeders, Unified Government public information officer ) More photos from the Unified Government volunteer appreciation event Friday at Memorial Hall. (Photo by Krystal McFeders, Unified Government public information officer )
Unified Government officials are making a splash with an announcement today of 10 pop-up splash park kits available for organizations in Wyandotte County. They will provide a little relief from the extreme heat in store for the community in the next several days. From left, Emerick Cross, assistant county administrator; Commissioner Gayle Townsend; and Angel Obert, assistant director of parks and recreation. (Unified Government photo)
With an excessive heat warning in effect for the next six days, the Unified Government Parks Department has come up with another way for kids to cool off.
They are offering 10 kits for “pop-up splash parks.” The kits are being distributed to organizations in Wyandotte County that will then hold their own cooling events here with sprinklers, slip-and-slides, garden hoses, snacks and water for about 30 participants each.
The kits are valued at $275 each and are given free of charge to community organizations, said Ashley Hand, a Unified Government spokesman. It will be so hot this weekend that a few organizations were willing to jump on it right away, she added.
So far, about six of the kits have been claimed for different organizations, including churches, the Salvation Army, and Warriors 4 Wyandotte, she said.
They have received some other applications, and there are still a few kits remaining, she added. Hand said the UG was trying to make sure the location of the organizations’ events was not very close to the existing three permanent spray parks in Wyandotte County – Heathwood Spray Park, 10th and Parallel; Pierson Spray Park, 1800 S. 55th; and Eisenhower Spray Park, 2901 N. 72nd. They would like to have the kits distributed to a wide area.
The pop-up splash park kits will contain a slip-and-slide, two garden hoses, a sprinkler, a package of snacks and bottles of water. (Unified Government photo)
Organizations that receive pop-up splash park kits are being asked to allow as many as they possibly can to participate, and to hold more than one event if possible, she said. The splash park kits will be available for use by kids of all ages.
“We know with the summer heat it is important for youth to stay cool while getting outside,” said assistant director of parks and recreation Angel Obert, in a news release. “We are excited to partner with our community to help reach more people in our neighborhoods.”
There has been community reaction this year to the closing of Parkwood Pool this summer, and the issue came up at a campaign forum earlier this week.
“While we all missed the use of Parkwood Pool this year,” said Commissioner Gayle E. Townsend in a news release, “the distribution of these cool off kits will give kids in our neighborhoods an opportunity for some welcome water fun relief. Thanks to all the sponsoring neighborhood groups, churches and other organizations for their participation as hosts of these events.”
The UG’s three existing permanent spray parks are operating every day. Hand said they are regularly cleaned and the water is treated. Staff has been vigilant in maintaining the spray parks, she said.
The spray parks, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., are free. The spray parks are accessible and have zero-depth entry. The water is controlled by a sensor that turns on when a person steps into the area, then turns off when they leave. Those going to the spray park should wear swim suits.
With a lack of lifeguards, the Parkwood Pool will remain closed this summer, according to Hand. The UG Parks Department now plans to reopen the Parkwood Pool in the summer of 2022, she said.
As of April of this year, only one person applied to be a lifeguard, she said. They then extended the program and got seven applicants, which was promising, but not enough to physically staff the pool, she added.
Currently there is a lifeguard training program in place. Three of seven candidates have successfully passed a swim test and are eligible for a paid work-study program beginning this week to receive lifeguard certification.
“Congratulations to the seven young people who responded to our call for lifeguard applicants,” Commissioner Townsend said in a news release. “Each one of them showed great enthusiasm and heart during the swim test drills. We look forward to continuing to work with them to further develop their lifeguard skills in preparation for the next pool season.”
The UG is currently working with the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, Turner Public Schools and the Kansas State School for the Blind, to discuss increasing access to indoor swimming facilities during the school year and offering swim lessons and lifeguard training to more students. Water safety is important to the UG, and learning to swim is also important, according to a spokesman.
The Parkwood Pool at 950 Quindaro will be drained for the remainder of the 2021 season, according to the UG. When it reopens next year, the Parks Department is hoping to contract with a third party to staff the Parkwood Pool, Hand said. The contractor will provide staffing as part of the contract.
“While we are truly disappointed we cannot offer this service this year due to COVID and labor shortages,” Obert said in the news release, “we are already working towards a fantastic 2022 season at the pool.”
Unified Government County Clerk Bridgette Cobbins has been named the UG’s interim assistant county administrator.
Cobbins will assume the duties and responsibilities of recently retired Assistant County Administrator Gordon Criswell, according to an announcement.
“Mrs. Cobbins has served Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County dutifully for nearly twenty-five years in multiple positions with increasing levels of responsibility,” said Doug Bach, county administrator, in a news release. “I have full confidence in her ability to lead with integrity, honesty, and openness.”
Cobbins’ interim position began on Jan. 11, and she will continue in this role through 2021, according to the announcement.
A lifelong Wyandotte County resident, Cobbins graduated from Wyandotte High School before completing her undergraduate degree in business administration at Ottawa University and Master of Business Administration at Benedictine College.
She first joined the UG nearly 25 years ago as a data entry cerk and control clerk at the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. Since then, she has held a number of positions with increasing levels of responsibility. Most recently, she served as the UG’s county clerk.
In her new capacity as interim assistant county administrator, Cobbins will be responsible for overseeing and supporting the Area Agency on Aging, Community Corrections, Human Services, Municipal Court, the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department and the Clerk’s office.
“I consider it an honor and privilege to serve my community in this new capacity,” Cobbins said in the news release. “My approach to leadership is straightforward: my job is to let the subject matter experts do their work and support them in any way needed to make sure they are successful. I also want our community to know that their public servants are never out of reach. Your participation and partnership matter and every individual is welcomed to provide their input.”
