Austin Bickford is a member of Centurions, class of 2017. He is co-chairman of the Wild Card Task Force. Austin is a board member of Children’s Mercy’s Mercy Ambassadors Auxiliary. He was a Japanese major at The University of Kansas, and his favorite sports team is the Tottenham Hotspur, an English Premier League Football team. […]

Following graduate school, Patrick Parkes has worked in Our Town’s non-profit sector for three years and is a member of the 2017 Class of Rising Stars. He serves as the Fiscal Policy Analyst for the Kansas Policy Institute, a nonpartisan public policy research organization dedicated to providing information about Kansans’ tax dollars. Patrick essentially analyzes […]

Patrick Parkes is a volunteer with Variety KC. He drafted the language for its 2016 mission video and believes that conversations can educate others on the importance of inclusion as well as change attitudes about disability in the community. According to Patrick, each interaction is an important one for Variety and could lead to a […]

Dean Newton is the managing director of Delta Dental and is a member of the 2017 Class of Rising Stars. “I have known Dean as a good friend and have seen him participate and be a leader in a variety of public service and business activities,” said Shannon Blades, Basys Systems. “I know him to […]

A Pink Party was held recently at Children’s Mercy’s Great HeighTS Clinic. Sporting KC and the Shadow Buddies Foundation hosted the event that featured tiaras, nail polish, hair and make-up, and Disney princess accessories. Turner Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by a missing or incomplete X chromosome that affect’s a girl’s development. Amanda […]

Edgar Palacios is a senior director of resource development and community engagement at Connections to Success. He is a member of the Centurions, class of 2017. Edgar is a co-chairman of the social committee and serves on the Law and Order Task Force.  Mercedes Givens and Edgar Palacios Also featured in the May 13, 2017 […]

September 9th is the date for The Symphony League’s Symphony Ball, “An Evening in Vienna,” to be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center. Guests will enjoy a magnificent night of waltzes performed by the Kansas City Symphony, a silent auction, cocktails and delicious Viennese cuisine. Suzanne Shank and Pam Bruce […]

The ladies who lead the activities of The Jewel Ball each year share a very special bond, as well as a sense of humor, comfortable shoes and an enormous amount of respect for two cultural pillars of the Kansas City community – The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kansas City Symphony. In order to […]

Kimberly Wilkerson holds executive leadership positions and oversees operations on the boards of KCPT Public Television 19 and 909 The Bridge and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. Working closely with both boards and the organization’s leaders, Micheal Lawrence, BBBSKC; and Kliff Kuehl, KCPT/The Bridge; she gets to make a high level impact […]

October 7th is the date for the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s 50th Annual Gala, “The Diamond Ball,” at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. The event will kick off the Kansas City Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee season. Melanie and Michael Fenske are serving as the chairmen. The Ballet Guild is a group of […]

Create the Night…Through the Eyes of Picasso will take place on October 14th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner, entertainment and an opportunity to see an internationally-renowned exhibit at this black-tie gala. Christy and Bill Gautreaux are the honorary chairmen, and Lauren Atterbury and Kay Newell will serve as […]

Rose Brooks Center’s annual Field Day event would not be the same without Coach John DeWitt, Belvidere Elementary School. John donates his time, equipment and energy to transform the grounds into a maze of relays, parachutes, balloon tosses, sack races, and more. Thanks to John’s kindness and generosity, the nearly 50 children living Rose Brooks […]

Lydia Allen is a member of the Centurions, class of 2018. She is a steering committee member and serves on the May Trip Task Force. A native of Our Town, Lydia is the ArtsKC Fund Manager at ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council. She enjoys learning about new volunteer opportunities in the arts, education and healthcare […]

April 28th is the date for Pour for More, a signature cocktail event benefiting KidsTLC. Kerri Frazier and Julie Houts are serving as the co-chairmen. Guests will explore the Museum’s galleries, enjoy delicious food and drink from Cafe Sebastienne, bid on unique, custom bar carts, and dance to live music from D.J. Mike Scott. Kerri […]

Father Justin Mathews is a Centurion, class of 2018. He serves on the steering committee and is a member of the Law and Order Task Force. Father Justin is the priest at St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Christian Church and the executive director at Reconciliation Services. Father Justin is a passionate community builder, committed to […]

Dolly Wood is an occupational therapist at The University of Kansas Hospital and is a member of the 2017 Class of Rising Stars. Said Rachel Sexton, VPR Creative Group: “I met Dolly when I was a first-year active member of The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, and she was my committee chairman, leading us […]

Georgiane Hayhow is a member of Centurions, class of 2018. She serves on the recruiting committee and the Wild Card Task Force. Georgiane has her own real estate team, The Hayhow Group with Better Homes and Gardens. She serves on the board of Mercy Ambassadors at Children’s Mercy and on the Towers After Hours committee […]

May 15th is the date for the 36th Annual Ben and Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Players will enjoy lunch, a round of golf, a wine cruise, a dinner reception, and an awards ceremony at Lake Quivira Country Club. (Front row) Betty and Ben Zarda (back row) […]

Trish and John Dorsey are serving as the chairmen of the Kansas City Zoo’s 28th annual Jazzoo. The June 2nd event will feature delicious bites from more than 80 local restaurants, fabulous entertainment on four stages and cocktails from 10 full and specialty bars. Trish and John Dorsey, chairmen Additional photos featured in the March […]

David Ball, Ball’s Food Stores; has continued the philanthropic legacy started by his parents through his leadership and support of KVC Health Systems. David currently serves as KVC’s executive board co-chairman and provides guidance, campaign leadership, personal gift giving, and support of KVC. Through the Ball’s Charity Golf Classic, David has made substantial contributions to […]

Keri Maginn is the director of business operations at DRAW Architecture + Urban Design. She is a member of Centurions, class of 2018. Keri is a member of the social committee and serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Task Force. She enjoys making meals for families at Ronald McDonald House and serving lunch at the […]