April 9th is the date for Variety Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City’s Variety Show 2016 at Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. Shirley Pryor is serving as the honorary chairman. Guests will enjoy performances from a variety of local entertainers and a special finale by Gary Gulman, comedian from Last Comic Standing. Shirley Pryor, […]

Throughout the years, Laura Gregory and Anne Blessing’s leadership has led Reach Out and Read Kansas City through several important changes, including expansion to more than 52 clinics in the Kansas City area. More than one million new books have been distributed and community awareness has increased. Thank you, Laura and Anne for your passion […]

Manuel Campos currently heads Sprint’s Hispanic Advertising initiatives. He is a member of Centurions, class of 2017, and serves on the Arts and Culture Task Force and the communications committee. Manuel earned a degree in marketing management from California State Polytechnic University and a master of business administration degree from the Graziadio School of Business […]

Karen Abramowitz, Senior account manager, marketing and communications, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Karen has been a team member of the ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS for seven years and has served as a team captain for four years. She has participated in three Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of […]

Yvette and Doug Kinney are serving as chairmen of The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park’s Stems: A Garden Soirée on June 25th at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.  This annual summer celebration will feature fine wines, great fare, live music, and a spectacular fireworks show. Chairmen Yvette and Doug Kinney Also […]

Austin Bickford and his brother, Julian Bickford, founded BicMedia, a video, animation and music production company, located in the Crossroads Arts District. Austin is a member of the Centurions, class of 2017 and serves on the Wild Card Task Force and the social committee. Austin volunteers at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Great Plains SPCA and Phoenix […]

Hats Off to Mothers Luncheon, a benefit for Open Options, will be held on May 6th at the DoubleTree by Hilton. This year’s honorees are Dr. Jeanne Drisko, Katie Dunn Fitzgerald, Jennifer Ingraham, Wendy Melland, Connie Mendolia, Patty Nigro, Jeanette Prenger, and Annette Sherrow. Laurie Ingram and Carmen Sabates are serving as co-chairmen, and Elizabeth […]

First Call has found a wonderful friend in Lena Price. She and her husband, Tom Cohen, were chairmen of the Celebration Evening in 2013 and 2014. Lena also joined the First Call Speakers Bureau and became an active board member. In addition, she has worked tirelessly to plan the Community Gratitude Luncheon, never shying away […]

Exciting plans are being made for Saint Luke’s North Hospital’s Imagine…A Night of Jesters and Jazz at the Courtyard Kansas City at Briarcliff. Lisa and Dr. Donald Cole, Dr. Shelby and Dustin Durand, Michelle and Brian Smith, and Twyla and John Wilson are co-chairmen of the April 1st event. Guests will enjoy delectable fare, a […]

April 23rd is the date for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 28th annual Black Tie Ball, “An Evening of Elegance.” Suzanne and Brad Smith are the chairmen. Guests will enjoy a signature cocktail, silent and live auctions, a five-course dinner, and entertainment. Chairmen Suzanne and Brad Smith   Also featured in the February 6, 2016 […]

Rosemary Flanigan joined the Center for Practical Bioethics’ board of directors in 1986 and served as chairman in 1991. She served on the Center’s staff for 17 years, following her retirement from Rockhurst University. Thank you, Rosemary, for all you do for the Center for Practical Bioethics. Additional photos featured in the February 6, 2016 […]

Will Pryor is an audit senior manager at Grant Thornton. He is a member of the Centurions, class of 2017 and serves on the Arts and Culture Task Force and the communications committee. Will enjoys running marathons, traveling, photography, and the Kansas City Royals. He and his wife, Lindsey, have a daughter, Lincoln. Caption goes […]

Wild About Harry will be held on April 7th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The theme, “Truman’s Whistle Stop Campaign,” will transport guests back to 1948 and Harry Truman’s historic race for the White House. John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, managing editors of Bloomberg Politics; will be the special guest […]

The 2016 Take Five event, a benefit for The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, will be held on March 4th at Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners. The fifth annual event will feature specialty libations, delicious fare from local restaurants, live entertainment by Lost Wax, raffle packages, and a $5,000 giveaway.  Co-chairmen Katie Adams […]

Anne and Howard Elsberry and Shelley Elsberry are the honorary co-chairmen, and Suzanne Shank and Jackie Middelkamp are serving as co-chairmen of Great Plains SPCA’s 2016 Pawtini: Poodle Skirts & Cat-illacs. The March 5th event will be held at Union Station Kansas City. Partygoers will don fabulous fifties attire and enjoy cocktails, a delectable dinner, […]

Retired people, college interns, teens fulfilling community service for school credit, master gardeners, and master naturalists all find a place to volunteer at Powell Gardens. It takes a lot of people working hard and having fun at the same time to make Powell Gardens the beautiful place it is. Julia Hunter Graves drove the Heartland […]

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is deeply grateful to Deb Grimes and Ken Selzer for their dedication and support for more than 12 years. Deb and Ken have supported the Kansas City Shoot for the Cure since its inception as sponsors and committee members and served as event co-chairmen for five years. The twosome are longtime […]

Rachel Merlo is a member of the Centurions, class of 2016 and is co-chairman of the Entrepreneurship Task Force and serves on the community leadership committee. She especially enjoys volunteering at the Downtown Outreach kitchen. Rachel will be the co-chairman of the ArtsKC Annual Awards Luncheon. She is the community impact manager for Google Kansas […]

April 29th is the date for the ninth annual Books & Boutiques at the Overland Park Convention Center. Toni and Dr. Tony Zink and Kathy Richman-Wallace and Travis Wallace are the co-chairmen, and Lesley Stahl, CBS News’ 60 Minutes; is the keynote speaker. Proceeds support the care and comfort for patients and families at Saint […]

Page Branton Reed (Mrs. Bruce Alan Reed) will serve as the chairman of the 2016 Jewel Ball, to be held on June 18th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Page is the daughter of Mrs. William Coleman Branton and the late Mr. Branton. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Leon […]

  February 20th is the date for Children’s Mercy’s 12th annual Red Hot Night at the Kansas City Convention Center. Christy and Bill Gautreaux and Gisele and Brad Sprong are serving as the honorary co-chairmen, and Bryan Andres and Steve Peppes are serving as co-chairmen. Honorary Co-chairmen Brad and Gisele Sprong and Christy and Bill […]