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 […]

Just about everybody who is anybody has appeared on the Harriman-Jewell Series. Or so it seems these days, 58 years after the Series was founded by two William Jewell College professors, Richard Harriman and Dean Dunham, Jr. Let’s put it this way: If you are a classical performing artist or ensemble or dance company or even […]

Two of the most significant events in Carolyn Oechsli Doughty’s life occurred during a very short span of time in 1918. That August, she was widowed after nearly 14 years of marriage. Within weeks, she had accepted the position of executive secretary of the Women’s City Club.  Carolyn was exactly the right person for the […]

Members of the Lyric Opera Circle celebrated the holiday season with a festive event at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Guests enjoyed a delectable menu and entertainment from resident artists of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Carolyn Price, Mary Leonida, and Pamela Bruce were the hosts for the December 7th event.    […]

Anne Potter Russ (Mrs. Norbert Russ) will serve as the chairman of the 2023 Jewel Ball. The event will be held on June 17th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Anne is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George William Potter, Jr. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Webster […]

December 10th was the date for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City’s Most Wanted Auction. Partygoers gathered at The Midland Theatre and enjoyed bidding on once-in-a-lifetime auction packages. Proceeds from the event support Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City’s commitment to making a life-changing, generational impact on our community by creating professionally supported, […]

A cocktail party to celebrate more than 200 Nutcracker Ball benefactors and their guests on November 17th. Randy Neal Floral Designs and Inspired Occasions transformed the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity into a confection-filled fairyland, accompanied by the music of Rich Hill. Benefactors enjoyed visiting with Kansas City Ballet Company dancers. The Kansas […]

There were lots of fun gatherings in November and December to support the upcoming 49th Annual Snow Ball, to be held on January 21st at the Overland Park Convention Center. Friends of Church of the Nativity, St. Ann Catholic Church, and Church of the Ascension enjoyed the special events. Young professionals also supported Catholic Charities […]

December 10th was the date for the Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball, which was held at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Carrie Kruse and Jennifer Pontier were the co-chairmen. Happy children enjoyed face painting, crafting holiday ornaments, and entertainment from the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends. Guests were transported to […]

Brogan Moore Caffarelli and Johnathan Pierce Cullen were united in matrimony at Visitation Church in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 15th. The bride is the daughter of Laureen and Robert A. Caffarelli of Loch Lloyd, Missouri. Brogan is the granddaughter of the late Rosemary and Thomas Moore and the late Nancy and Robert V. Caffarelli. […]

Nearly 200 guests gathered at the Children’s Mercy Research Institute for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Kansas City Chapter’s celebration of National Philanthropy Day. The November 10th event recognized the impact philanthropy makes in Our Town. The honorees were Susan Belger Angulo, Excellence in Fundraising, Dr. Linda Mitchell, Excellence in Legacy Giving, Dr. Amy […]