November 5th is the date for KidsTLC’s United for Kids Gala in the North Club at Arrowhead Stadium. Laura and Brian Dolezal are serving as the honorary chairmen. The 20th annual event will feature a “Journey of Hope” travel theme. Brian and Laura Dolezal, honorary chairmen Also featured in the July 23, 2016 issue  

Carla Duryee is a fabulous volunteer for KCU. She recently served as chairman of KCU’s community engagement committee, where she helped launch the Leading the Way Centennial Campaign. Carla served on the board of trustees for nine years and is busy planning KCU’s Centennial Gala. Also featured in the July 23, 2016 issue Photo Credit: […]

The University of Kansas Hospital held its sixth annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Celebration at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza on June 7th. Dr. Marc A. Asher and Frank J. Ross, Jr. received Legacy Awards for their leadership and service. Lisa Hale and the Hale Family Foundation and the Sunderland Foundation, […]

Terri Barnes is a versatile business leader with a unique blend of customer service and operations experience in the financial service and health care industries. She received her bachelor of science degree in business administration at Park University. Terri was a call-center manager for 22 years at American Century Investments, Upromise Investments and Amerigroup Insurance […]

BOTAR President Missy Love has been active in American Royal activities since she was presented at The BOTAR Ball in 1984. She served as corresponding secretary in 1991, vice president of public relations in 1994 and vice president of the BOTAR Ball in 2009. In addition, she has been co-chairman of the decorations committee, co-chairman […]

Gina Lange is a seventh and eighth grade health teacher at Heritage Middle School in Liberty, Missouri. She is an amazing volunteer for Girls on the Run Serving Greater Kansas City. When the organization began piloting its new Girls on the Run curriculum for middle school girls, Heart & Sole, Gina was asked to lead […]

Aaron Siders graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor of science degree in business and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He is a member of the Centurions, class of 2017 and serves on the recruitment committee and the Dividing Lines Task Force. Aaron and his […]

August 27th is the date for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA’s) 12th annual Young at Art Cocktail Party and Auction at The Gallery Event Space. Guests will enjoy drinks, delicious fare, silent and live auctions, and entertainment from 2Proud2Beg. Debbie and Russ Welsh are the honorary chairmen, and Ingrid VanBiber and Denise […]

October 22nd is the date for Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences’ Centennial Gala at Union Station Kansas City. Mayor Sly James is the honorary chairman, and Carla Duryee is the ambiance chairman. Partygoers will enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing to the tunes of Lost Wax. Carla Duryee, ambiance chairman Mayor Sly James, honorary […]

Maggie Fitzgerald is a member of the Centurions Class of 2016. She has spent nearly two decades sharing her passion for strategic marketing, branding, and communications in the technology and manufacturing sectors. Maggie is a graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and recently completed the Kauffman Foundation’s TechVentures Entrepreneurship Program. She […]

Karen Abramowitz is delighted and honored to be a 2016 Rising Star and to be included in the company of such remarkable professionals who make a difference in Our Town. The award also serves as a humble reminder of the importance of giving back.  She began her career in journalism, working as an associate producer […]

Unlike many community leaders in Our Town, Gregory Porter had to overcome a myriad of difficulties in his early life. His mother, who spoke and read very little English, came to the United States from Korea to follow her American husband. Due to unfortunate circumstances, she was then forced to support herself and her three […]

Christine and Ford Maurer will serve as the honorary chairmen, and Barbara Storm is the chairman of the Kansas City Symphony League’s presentation of the Symphony Ball’s “Evening Overtures.” The event will take place on September 10th in the Grand Ballroom of the Kansas City Convention Center. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, […]

Skyler Phelps is a treasured volunteer at Sheffield Place. He serves as a board member and also as the chairman of the Off the Wall art event. Skyler gives his time and talents to Sheffield Place and its mission of healing and self-sufficiency for homeless mothers and their children. Curt Thomas, Kelly Welch, Sheffield Place; […]

Al Risden has been a motivating force for Sprint’s Give Lunch initiative since it began in 2007 to donate food and pack sack lunches for hungry children and families. Al has had a perfect attendance record for all 96 Give Lunch packing sessions. He is an Ambassador for Harvesters and was named Harvesters’ Volunteer of […]

Matt Benge is a graduate of The University of Kansas. He is a member of Centurions, class of 2016. Matt serves on the membership committee of the Association for Corporate Growth and is on the Chiefs Charity Game committee for The Children’s Place. Matt and his wife, Katie, have a ten-month-old daughter, Rose. Katie and […]

September 17th is the date for the second annual Night at the Tower, a benefit for the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Trudy and Jack Gabriel are the chairmen, and Bill Dunn, Sr., representing the Dunn Family, is the honorary chairman. (Seated) Bill Dunn, Sr., honorary chairman; and Jack Gabriel, chairman (standing) Trudy […]

Jeff Blaesing graduated from the University of Nebraska where he played baseball and received his executive master of business administration degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He is a member of Centurions, class of 2016, and has been involved with the Legacy Project. He and his wife, Becci, have two children, Katelynn […]

Linda and Mike Lyon are the chairmen, and Susan Gordon and Scott Francis are serving as the honorary chairmen for the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance’s Crescendo. The November 4th event will be held in Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Honorary Chairmen Scott Francis and Susan Gordon Chairmen Mike […]

September 17th is the date for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City’s Red Shoe Shindig at Arrowhead Stadium’s North Club. Ann and Bob Regnier and Kate and Jonathan Bender are serving as the co-chairmen. Proceeds from the event help provide a “home away from home” to the families of sick children. Co-chairmen Bob and […]

Carolyn Voelker has made the library at Horizon Academy a better place to read and relax. While volunteering there twice a week, Carolyn reorganized the shelves, added decorative flair and registers new books so that students can continue to have access to new materials. Also featured in the May 14, 2016 issue