The 1900 Building was the beautiful setting for The Independent’s Top Ten Party. More than 200 guests celebrated Our Town’s deep commitment to philanthropy at the February 15th event. The Top Ten Events of 2017 and The Independent’s 2018 Class of Rising Stars were announced. Each Rising Star was presented with a custom Kimberly Sly print of Kansas City. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, delectable fare from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions and beautiful décor from Craig Sole Designs.

The 2018 Class of Rising Stars: Ryan Shreve, Jackie Vavroch, Chris Jagoda, Ryan Shriver, Nicole Jacobs Silvey, and Shelly Doucet

Doug Laird, Amy Stoll, Christine Laird, and Tiffany Way

Ed Vogt and Shelly Doucet

Liz and Perry Brandt

Henry Wash and Jim Lewis

Richard Stewart, Claire Jepsen, Ryan and Lauren Shreve, and Jennifer Shreve

Ryan and Lindsey Shriver

Mike Jeffries, Jessica Palm, Jackie Vavroch, Stephanie Seger, and Tiffany Bruce

Patrick Silvey and Nicole Jacobs Silvey

The Top Five Golf Events of 2017

5. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City Legacy Invitational

4. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City Trent Green Golf Classic

3.
Liberty Fruit Company
17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

2. The Victory Project SKC Invitational and Tee-Off Dinner

1. First Hand Foundation First Hand Golf Tournament $588,319

The Top Five Luncheons of 2017

5. The Salvation Army The Civic Lunch

4. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City SportsFest Luncheon 2017

3. MOCSA 2017 Community Luncheon

2. Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America Patron Lunch

1. City Union Mission Women Who’ve Changed the Heart of the City $607,854

The Top Five Multi-Day Events of 2017

5. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City Most Wanted Auction

4. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man & Woman of The Year

3. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City Summer Bowl for Kids’ Sake

2. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art ShuttleCork

1. Children’s Mercy Big Slick Celebrity Weekend 2017 $1,447,638

The Top Five Walk/Run Events of 2017

5. Wayside Waifs Strutt With Your Mutt

4. Down Syndrome Guild Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk

3. Head For The Cure Foundation 15th Annual Head For The Cure 5K

2. Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired CCVI Trolley Run

1. AIDS Service Foundation 29th Annual AIDS WALK Kansas City $424,687

The Top Ten Nationally Sponsored Events of 2017

10.
ALS Association Mid-America Chapter
KC Walk to Defeat ALS

9. American Heart Association KC Heart Walk

8. March of Dimes Greater Kansas City March for Babies

7. JDRF JDRF One Walk

6. Alzheimer’s Association – Heart of America Chapter Walk to End Alzheimers

5. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night

4. American Heart Association Heart Ball

3. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Bike MS Kansas City

2. American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon

1. JDRF JDRF Dream Gala $1,660,007

The Top Ten Events of 2017

10. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art C100 Picasso Gala

9. Jewish Community Center KC SuperStar

8. Avila University Steer Dinner & Auction

7. The Foundation for Shawnee Mission Medical Center Tiny Tim Holiday Fantasy

6. Catholic Education Foundation Gaudeamus

5. Wayside Waifs Fur Ball

4. The University of Kansas Health System Treads & Threads

3. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Kids Night Out with Little Big Town

2.
Children’s Mercy
Red Hot Night 2017

1. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas 43rd Annual Snow Ball $1,932,397

Additional photos featured in the March 3, 2018 issue of The Independent
Photo Credit: David Riffel
Photo Booth Photo Credit: Banana Who? Booth