United Way celebrates St. Patrick's Day

Supporters and volunteers of United Way of Greater Topeka came together and made a visual impact statement with the LIVE UNITED message during the Topeka St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2009. Nearly 90 men, women and children wearing the classic white with black lettering "Live United" shirts marched together while donning festive green accessories.

Parade marchers handed out information cards about 2-1-1, a toll-free number and link to information on services, assistance and volunteer opportunites which is available to anyone, anywhere in Kansas 24-hours a day.

Thank you to these marchers for choosing to LIVE UNITED! And, a special thanks to the children and staff of Community First who came out in support in generous numbers with uplifting spirits.

Project Cram-A-Van Stocks Area Food Banks

When it comes to vehicle capacity, Project Topeka is shifting focus from number of passengers to tons of food.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, volunteers will unite to advocate on behalf of and give food items to those in need through a Project Topeka event, Cram-A-Van. The event, which is co-sponsored by United Way of Greater Topeka, HyVee, KSNT-27 and John Hoffer, is part of Project Topeka’s annual food drive.

The goal for 2009 is 199 tons of food; up one ton from 2008.

“Cram-A-Van will be a great opportunity to bring the food drive right to the public,” said Dan Woodard, community services liaison for United Way of Greater Topeka. “We have raised the bar in terms of 2008 goals, and know that while many people want to give, getting to one of our drop off locations isn’t always convenient.”

Project Topeka is in its 24th year and helps stock seven area food bank with its annual food drive. Drop off locations include all Topeka Fire Stations and United Way offices. Large donations from groups and companies can call 228-5112 to schedule a pickup.

Items sought must be non-perishable and packaged in a box or a can. Glass containers are discouraged. Items in high demand include breakfast cereals and crackers. Donations are also accepted to help replenish depleting food banks and checks can be made payable to Project Topeka, c/o C.R.C, 501 SE Jefferson Suite 30, Topeka, Kansas 66607. Because Project Topeka has no administrative or over head costs, all donations directly impact the community.

Visit Project Topeka's Website, select here.

View Project Topeka article in the Topeka Capitol-Journal, select here.

Lunch with Leaders -- Lt. Governor Parkinson

Members of the United Way of Greater Topeka's Young Leaders Society gathered on Friday, Jan. 09 for an intimate lunch with Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson. The event, which was held at the Boy Scouts of America Topeka offices was a success. Twenty young, professionals arrived ready to network, listen and learn -- and of course, enjoy lunch which was catered by the YWCA of Topeka.

Parkinson provided the group helpful information on shaping futures while revealing information on his past and how he has achieved success.

About the Young Leaders Society

The Young Leaders Society is a members group of young professionals who generously donate $500 or more (per individual or couple) to the United Way of Greater Topeka. The group meets approximately six time throughout the year with Lunch with Leaders events to develop leadership skills and network. The YLS group takes on other initiatives, including coordination and planning for the VAL Awards, philanthropic endeavors and various other activities which combining a splash of fun and camaraderie with community betterment. For information on joining YLS, visit the United Way online at http://www.unitedwaytopeka.org/ or on Facebook.

About Lt. Governor Parkinson:

A successful businessman and former legislator, Mark Parkinson is a native Kansan who grew up in Wichita and now resides in Olathe. Mark’s family has its roots in Scott City, where they still own a farm.

Governor Sebelius appointed Parkinson as co-chair of the Kansas Energy Council and chair of the Kansas Wind Working Group. In the summer of 2007, he launched Volunteer Kansas to assist in connecting volunteers to service organizations. Parkinson also serves on the Kansas Mentors Leadership Council, chaired by Coach Bill Snyder. Recently, Parkinson was appointed as Chair of the Governor’s Military Council. He continues to lead the BEST efforts, the Governor’s budget-savings initiative.

Mark and Stacy, his wife of more than 25 years, are active in community and charitable organizations, including co-chairing the successful Sunflower House Capital Campaign which raised $4.2 million to support the child abuse assistance agency. They also completed a $6.7 million Capital Campaign for SAFEHOME, one of the most comprehensive domestic violence agencies in Kansas. Both involvements led the United Community Services of Johnson County to name Mark and Stacy as 2006 Co-Citizens of the Year. They are parents to three children: Alex, Sam, and Kit. They belong to the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood.

Heartwarming tale of a little boy who Lives United

Story Submitted by Sally Wright, Topeka

I wanted to would share this story with all of you in the Troop:

A couple of hours after I got off the phone with Maria the other night my phone rang, I looked at my caller I.D. and noticed it was Maria calling me back. I was a little anxious about answering it since she told me that her husband that was involved in an accident at work where he fell off a ladder/scafel and broke both of his legs had not had a good day. As a result of the accident, Maria's husband Frankie had been moved into a nursing home to recover from surgery. He is waiting (impatiently) until he gets more movement back in his legs.

I answered the phone and could tell by her voice that she had been crying.

Maria said, "Thank you for teaching Gabriel (her 6 year old son) how to give!"

I was shocked by her statement that she made and said "What do you mean?"

She told me that she had explained to Gabriel what Troop 7 was doing for their family to help them over the holidays by giving them gifts/food to help them out while they are going through this difficult time. Maria then told me that Gabriel went to his room counted the money in his piggy bank and told his Mom that he had an idea of what he wanted to do for Christmas too. Gabriel told his Mom that he felt sorry for the older people in the nursing home that his Dad is in because noone comes to visit him and he wants to use the money in his piggy bank (he counted $20.00) to buy them balloons and tie a candy cane on the string of each balloon for them for Christmas. Maria said that she was shocked that he wanted to use his own money for that and talked about how she would give her last penny to help others if she could. So Maria said Friday night her and Gabriel are going to buy balloons and tie candy canes on them to take to the nursing home.

I told Maria that we feel so fortunate to be able to help them and that how awesome it is this that Gabriel wants to do something for someone else too.

Ironically we haven't even given them their gifts yet and this family already feels blessed by the Troop 7's outreach.

I just wanted to share this story with everyone and thank those families that helped shop for Frankie, Maria and Gabriel obviously they feel very blessed by your giving. Also, thanks to the Bleich family, Timmy Lang, Byron Ashley and Cole for helping wrap after we went shopping.

We are delivering the gifts for the family on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. plan on meeting at the First Christian Church in the back parking lot.

Merry Christmas!!

Sally Wright

United Way Will Reach $6 Million Goal!

Topeka, Kan – The $6 million goal sounded challenging.

But, the United Way of Greater Topeka is supported by a generous community.

“We will reach our $6 million goal,” said Scott Griffith, 2008 campaign chair at the United Way Appreciation Breakfast at the Big Gage Shelter House today to roaring applause. “This is a community where people really do help neighbors in need.”

The campaign kicked off August 27 with the announcement of the $6 million goal. Because numerous campaigns are still under way throughout the community, the United Way will release the final dollar amount after every last pledge form had been processed. Griffith promised the campaign total would be announced at a later date.

“We are thrilled, excited and humbled to announce the campaign’s success,” said Miriam Krehbiel, United Way CEO. “When the goal was first set last July, we could not have predicted the economic turmoil ahead, which is why reaching and hopefully exceeding $6 million is more crucial than ever.”

Aside from announcing campaign successes, the breakfast focused on honoring and thanking the countless volunteers and companies who donated time and talents to make the campaign goal attainable.

“Throughout this amazing campaign, we have witnessed this community embrace the United Way’s message to Live United,” said Krehbiel. “It’s more than a motto or a slogan. ‘Live United’ goes beyond just the United Way; it is a way of life and we thank you.”

Christmas Bureau Radio-Thon Under Way

The jingling of Christmas bells can be heard throughout department stores with Santa seated in his sleigh, ready to jot down the wishes of good girls and boys. Twinkling lights strung from the eaves of homes can be seen every evening. And, without thinking about it, we all sing along to familiar Christmas songs heard everywhere we go.

The Christmas Season is here.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of trying to get shopping completed, gifts wrapped and cards mailed, we must never forget the thousands of men, women and children throughout our very own city who, without the generosity of strangers, would wake up without a gift under their tree (and maybe without a tree at all).

We share the stories, you make the Christmas Miracles.

The United Way of Greater Topeka Christmas Bureau is in full swing. Families have been screened and adoptions are taking place. Today and tomorrow, Majic 107.7 along with Slumberland Furniture are doing back to back days of Radio-Thons to try and give every family a Christmas this year. Call 2-1-1 anytime anywhere in the state of Kansas free of charge for information on adoption, volunteering or if you need assistance.

Consider adopting a family this year, volunteering or simply making a donation. It's all about choosing to LIVE UNITED and the holidays are a good time to start a new tradition of giving back.

Select here to link to the United Way of Greater Topeka Christmas Bureau Web Page.

Big Week of Big Giving

It's absolutely humbling, exciting and inspiring all at once to see the community come together to Live United and donate to the United Way of Greater Topeka. This week was a busy one with two check presentations.

The first was on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at BNSF. The presentation was at the BNSF Shops, and it's quite the maze to drive to their cafeteria area. You maneuver around stopped locomotives and repair areas, and luckily I had been there before, but the reporters from KSNT and WIBW had not. They arrived separately, so for each, I met them at the gate and had them follow me in.

I caught a glimpse of the check before it was officially unveiled. The amount? $259,642. It was amazing to see a number so large - a number which represented so many individuals uniting together in a common cause.

On Wednesday morning, several United Way staffers crammed into a car with pent up excitement. We were heading to BCBS of Kansas for another big check presentation. Everyone was excited and curious as to their campaign results. Despite the economy, we discovered how thankful people are for what they have. This gratefulness appears to lead donors to give - to help out their neighbors in this community. Topeka really is a place where folks will dig into their own pockets to help each other out.

The big news out of BCBS of Kansas wasn't simply that they surpassed last year - they raised $209,845.44! But, they also increased the percentage of individuals donating -- 66 percent of local BCBS of Kansas employees are choosing to Live United by giving to the United Way of Greater Topeka -- and hundreds more are doing so through volunteering and advocating!

All in all, it was another incredible, amazing week for the United Way of Greater Topeka. And, it shows all of us here just how fortunate we are to live in such a generous community.