To learn more about becoming a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter, please visit afpkc.org. The Independent is proud to be the exclusive media partner of AFPKC. Julianne DeLessio is employed with Union Station Kansas City as its donor and corporate relations manager, where she works with corporate partners and sponsors, as […]

November 19th is the date for the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Event, hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Bureau|AJC. Bill Berkley, Lisa Ginter, Gordon Lansford, Madeleine McDonough, Jeff Simon, and Bridgette Williams are the co-chairs for the festivities, which will be held at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Joe Reardon will be […]

In Kansas City’s philanthropic circles, one vibrant and beloved personality stands out as a Rising Star – Anna Bazan-Munguia. As the youngest of 27 grandchildren, Anna’s journey to local prominence is intertwined with her family’s rich history and a deep sense of community spirit.  Anna’s grandfather, a skilled tailor who once worked for President Harry […]

October 28th is the date for American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Kansas City, which will be held at Crown Center. The Walk is a celebration of courage and hope, and a movement to unite communities to end breast cancer. Proceeds from the event fund lifesaving breast cancer research, with a commitment […]

Charlie Lynn volunteers at the SKC Serve & Lift Center of Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph. What does he do there? He helps in any way he can. Charlie has been described as humble and strong. In addition, he is always smiling.  Featured in the September 2, 2023 issue of The Independent.

The 19th annual Night Out with MOCSA Cocktail Party and Auction will be held at The Midland Theatre on November 4th. Tiffany Melton Meeks and Lisa New are serving as the event co-chairs. Partygoers will enjoy cocktails, delicious bites, and wonderful art and music celebrating the Paris of the Plains and highlighting Kansas City’s jazz […]

As a model of Kansas City’s civic spirit, Amy Guerich’s steadfast altruism has earned her the title of Rising Star by The Independent. With a diverse range of philanthropies and a particular focus on education and the arts, Amy’s story is one of passion, commitment, and an unwavering dedication to making Our Town a better place. […]

The Symphony Ball auction items are here, hooray! Nervous spouses and significant others are concerned that their loved ones may be bringing everything home. So do your part by planning to bid. The Symphony League’s Symphony Ball will be held on September 9th. Julie McCann and Gina Penner are the co-chairmen, and Shirley Bush Helzberg […]

Susan Lordi Marker and Dennis Marker will be the honorary chairmen of the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s 56th annual Nutcracker Ball. The December 1st event will be held at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Jo Anne Dondlinger is the chairman. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Proceeds support Kansas City Ballet performances, […]

The Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee will honor Joe Reardon with the Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award at the annual Human Relations Event on November 19th at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Joe’s career highlights have included serving as mayor and chief executive officer of the United Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas […]

Kansas City may be landlocked but that hasn’t stopped a local rising star from making waves with her contagious energy for making a difference. Meet Sarah Owings, a compassionate individual  whose volunteerism has brought joy and positive change to the lives of many. Recently recognized as a Rising Star by The Independent, Sarah has made her […]

Shirley Bush Helzberg is serving as the honorary chairman of the Symphony Ball, which is hosted by the Symphony League of Kansas City. The September 9th event will be held at the Kansas City Convention Center. Julie McCann and Gina Penner are the co-chairmen.  At the Kansas City Symphony, Shirley is chair emerita of the […]

Becky Wiseman’s networking abilities are greatly appreciated by JDRF. She helps secure funding for the organization, which focuses on type 1 diabetes research. Becky is a corporate development committee member and Kansas City community board member. Becky and her husband and their children served as the Fund A Cure Family at the 2022 JDRF Dream […]

For more than 16 years, Erik Bergrud and Kimberlee Ried have been loyal supporters of MOCSA. They have served as community support committee chairs and are members of the organization’s Giving Circle. These enthusiastic donors shared, “We are honored to support MOCSA, whose activities and programs improve individuals’ lives, elevate awareness of sexual abuse and […]

Ryan Banes has been involved with Lead to Read KC since 2018. In that time, he has been a reading mentor at three different schools: Brookside Charter School, Crossroads Academy – Quality Hill, and Indian Creek Elementary School. Ryan knows that mentoring makes a difference. That’s not all – he also serves as the fundraising […]

Kansas City shines brighter with each passing year, thanks to the spirit of individuals who devote themselves to making a positive impact. Within this constellation of changemakers is William Block, an exceptional volunteer whose philanthropic endeavors have earned him a well-deserved place among The Independent’s 2023 Class of Rising Stars. Will, as he prefers to […]

September 30th is the date for the National WWI Museum and Memorial’s Night at the Tower. Kimberlee and Erik Bergrud and Katrina and Tom Henke are the event co-chairs. Members of the Bergman Family are the honorary chairs. The evening will be a celebration of everything our treasured Museum and Memorial does for our city. […]

What’s Jeff Jaworski’s passion? Advocating for Catholic education. Since 2021, he has been the chair of the Catholic Education Foundation’s board of directors. During his tenure, CEF has been able to reach more students in northeast Kansas and offer more scholarship funds. His efforts don’t stop there – he even served as the co-emcee for […]

Kris Reeder is serving as the event committee chair for the Chiefs Charity Game, which will benefit MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault). He is also leading the  fundraising efforts during the final year of a three-year partnership with the Hunt Foundation. The event, which will be held on August 26th at Arrowhead Stadium, […]

The HeartLight group at the Heartland Men’s Chorus is made up of people who don’t sing, but provide support in a variety of ways. Depending on their schedules, members of HeartLight may participate by attending the weekly rehearsals and assisting with setup, volunteering to help with events such as concerts, or in other ways, such […]

Joanne Collins and Alvin Brooks are serving as the honorary co-chairmen for the inaugural Prom with a Purpose, a benefit for KC Shepherd’s Center. The September 30th event will be held at the Hy-Vee Arena. The theme will be “Dress Your Decade.” Partygoers will enjoy traditional “prom photos,” a Golden Ticket Raffle, Kansas City-inspired food […]