A record number of seven endowed positions were awarded at the 2022 Investiture Ceremony at Children’s Mercy on April 13th. Dr. Denise Bratcher was the recipient of the Dr. Sidney F. Pakula Endowed Chair in Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Mark A. Clements was awarded the Rick and Cathy Baier Family Endowed Chair in Endocrinology. Dr. […]

The Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center was the site of Jackson County CASA’s 22nd annual Light of Hope Breakfast. Nearly 700 guests gathered for the event, which was held on April 13th. Leigh and Tyler Nottberg were the honorary chairmen. The keynote speaker was Brittney Daniels. The Sunderland Foundation was honored with the […]

The beautiful home of Dan Meiners and David Brinkerhoff was the site for the Benefactor Party for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, “Una Notte a Roma.” Regina Kort was the chairman for the cocktail reception, which was held on April 7th. Gigi Rose was the chairman of the Ball, which took place on […]

Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland was the site for Notre Dame de Sion’s 36th Annual Gala Auction. The Mardi Gras-themed event featured a three-course dinner, silent and live auctions, a raffle, and dancing to the tunes of the Ernest James Zydeco Band. Bryonha Marie Parham ‘03, a successful actress and singer who has performed […]

Rose Brooks Center recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of Cabaret at Loews Kansas City Hotel. Marisha Wallace entertained guests with some favorite Broadway hits, including tunes from her breakout West End performance in Dreamgirls! Lauren and David Atterbury served as the chairmen. Proceeds support the organization’s mission to break the cycle of domestic violence so […]

KVC Health Systems’ Friday Night Live Gala was held on March 4th. More than 400 guests enjoyed cocktails, delicious cuisine, an auction, a performance by the KC Improv Company, and dancing to the tunes of Lost Wax. Maria and Sean Hurley served as the chairmen of the event that supports the children and families served […]

Mission Hills Country Club was the site for a Benefactor Party for Stanislav and Friends: A Benefit for Park University’s International Center for Music. Park International Center for Music student artists performed, and eastern European cuisine was served. The event was held on March 19th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Cyprienne Simchowitz […]

The Overland Park Convention Center was the site for Benedictine College’s 50th Annual Scholarship Ball on February 26th. Colleen “Cocoa” and Kevin O’Malley and Lené Westerman served as the co-chairmen. The Cross of the Order of St. Benedict was awarded to Lené Westerman and Janet and Larry Wilcox. John Holt served as the emcee. Featured […]

February 25th was the date for HALO’s Virtual Art Auction, “Defying the Odds.” The action-packed evening featured live and silent auctions, the premiere of the HALO Documentary Short Film, Ziere, and special guest appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek, Bryce Dallas Howard, and more. Participants enjoyed musical performances by Sister Sledge ft. Sledgendary, Blessing Offor, […]

A celebration of the remarkable pets of Our Town.  Sponsored by:                                       Featured in the April 16, 2022 issue of The Independent.  

The Patrons’ Party for Wild About Harry, a benefit for the Truman Library Institute, was held on March 19th. Deanne Porter and Patrick Ottensmeyer, the honorary chairmen, and Tamara and David Campbell, the chairmen, were the hosts as guests gathered at Union Station Kansas City for an expedition on the Southern Belle. Clifton Truman Daniel […]

The Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, “Una Notte a Roma,” will be held on April 9th at Loews Kansas City Hotel. Members of the Circle met at Hallbrook Country Club recently to assemble the party favors for the upcoming gala. With lunch and socializing, the pre-ball event was a complete success!      Featured […]

The Children’s Relief Association (CRA) promotes the health and well-being of the children and families served by Children’s Mercy Hospital through charitable and volunteer activities. Since 1922, CRA, and its predecessor, Mercy Auxiliary, have provided volunteer services and allocated more than $4.1 million to Children’s Mercy Hospital. The organization’s 300 current active and associate members […]

Boots & Pearls: Wine & Whiskey was held on February 25th at The Museum at Prairiefire. The event was a benefit for Alphapointe, which works to empower people with vision loss to achieve their goals and aspirations. Nearly 600 guests enjoyed fine wines and whiskeys from around the world, delectable edibles, and lively entertainment.    […]

The K-State Alumni Association hosted the 15th annual Wabash CannonBall on February 25th. Nearly 900 guests attended the black-tie event, which was held at the Overland Park Convention Center. Proceeds help to provide scholarships for K-State students from the metropolitan area.            Featured in the April 2, 2022 issue of The […]

Bernadette and Dr. Scott Ashcraft were honored with the Founder’s Award at Romantic Revels. The event, a benefit for the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival (HASF), was held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza on February 12th. Jessica and Jason Chanos were the chairmen. Guests enjoyed cocktails, a gourmet dinner, a silent auction, […]

1900 Building was the site for the February 24th cocktail party to celebrate The Independent’s 2022 Class of Rising Stars: Missy Andeel, Olivia Bloomfield, Mark Nuss, Keith Stanfield, Alisha Thomson, and Gene Willis, and to celebrate The Top Ten Events of 2021. Guests enjoyed delicious bites from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions and celebrated another record-breaking […]

A Musical Evening with Ramona featuring Ramona Pansegrau, music director for the Kansas City Ballet, was enjoyed by members of KCB’s Bolender Society. The event was held on January 20th at The Kansas City Country Club. Also on the agenda were a special performance by KCB’s Second Company, an announcement by Devon Carney, artistic director, […]

The Top Five Golf Tournaments of 2021 Bright Futures Fund’s 4th Annual Bishop Johnston’s Golf Tournament: $227,295 Ronald McDonald House Charities of KC’s Trent Green Golf Classic: $219,842 Lakemary’s Golf Classic with Will Shields: $155,422 Olathe Health Charitable Foundation’s Golf Classic: $118,265 Down Syndrome Innovations’ Step Up for Down Syndrome Golf Classic: $106,895 The Top Five Walk/Run Events of […]

The 48th Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, was held on January 15th, both at the Overland Park Convention Center and online. Donna and Mark Teahan served as the presidents. Lauren Solidum, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, made a presentation that featured a video about the Family Financial Transformations program. […]

The Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown was the site for the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Luncheon, which was held on December 16th. The co-chairmen were Susan Bubb and Megan Bubb. Guests were welcomed by Peggy Beal, Guild president. Karen Yungmeyer, Nutcracker Ball co-chairman, gave a recap of that much-enjoyed evening. Jeffrey […]