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I ON PHILANTHROPY

Spotlight on Centurions – Adam Gebhardt

Adam Gebhardt is the director of marketing for TIVOL and is a member of Centurions, class of 2017. He serves on the board of the Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Chancellor’s LGBT Council at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. In his spare time, Adam enjoys kayaking and […]

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Community Ball and Cotillion – Fathers’ Icebreaker

October 18th was the date The Fathers’ Icebreaker for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties’ Community Ball and Cotillion at the Allegro Ballroom in Overland Park. The fathers of the Cotillion participants enjoyed cocktails and fun conversation. Jake Shriver, Kevin Shriver, Jeff Vestal, and Jim DeGraw Jim Kanan and Adam Elyachar David Pittman, […]

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Spotlight on Centurions – Brooke Beason

Brooke Beason leads the Digital & Social Influence team at Meers Advertising. She is a member of Centurions, class of 2017 and serves on the Trip Task Force and the curriculum committee. Brooke grew up in Hopkins, Missouri, and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in interactive digital media. Brooke enjoyed visiting […]

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Catholic Charities Foundation of NE KS – Snow Ball

The 42nd Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas, will be held on January 16th at the Crown Center Exhibition Hall.  Four invitation addressing parties were hosted recently by Jean Aldrich, Jeni Haake, Audrey Johnson, the Santa Marta Retirement Community, P.J. Palmer, and Kris Townsend. Mary Krizman, Amy Johannes and […]

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Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas – Snow Ball

The 42nd Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas, will be held on January 16th at the Crown Center Exhibition Hall. The Rod and JoAnne Cyr Foundation and Family are the honorary presidents, and Marilyn and Ken Hager are the presidents. Ken and Marilyn Hager, presidents; with Cathy Nigro, Suzie […]

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Lyric Opera of Kansas City – Deborah Sandler

What strikes me most when talking with Deborah Sandler is her curiosity about the world. When she’s not listening to an opera or planning one, she’s probably reading about design or current affairs in The New York Times, or taking in fresh air at Loose Park, or enjoying the Kemper Museum, or settling in with a […]

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Kansas City Young Matrons – Civics Honoring Day

The Kansas City Young Matrons held its annual Civics Honoring Day on October 5th at its temporary headquarters, the Central United Methodist Church. Members heard updates from three of KCYM’s affiliate organizations: Ozanam, HappyBottoms Diaper Bank and Sheffield Place. Michele Nelson, Valerie Burke and Janet Bjerke Mother and Daughter Life Members Cokie Strafer and Judy […]

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Spotlight on Centurions – Mercedes Givens

Mercedes Givens is a member of the Centurions, class of 2017 and is a member of the recruiting committee and Food Task Force. He is a wealth management consultant for the private client reserve of U.S. Bank. Mercedes is married and has two children. He enjoys reading, golfing, exercising, cooking, and traveling. Additional photos also […]

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Lyric Opera Circle – Seduction Ball

The Lyric Opera Circle’s Seduction Ball will be held on April 2nd at Union Station Kansas City. The honorary chairmen are Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bruening, and Mrs. Jack Spilker is the Circle president. The theme of the 30th annual event was inspired by the timeless allure of the opera, Carmen. Guests will enjoy a […]

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The Ballet Ball – Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley

Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley was extremely honored when the Kansas City Ballet Guild asked her to serve as the Nutcracker Ball chairman. It will be held on December 4th at Union Station Kansas City, and Ann Dickinson is the honorary chairman. “This 48th annual event is especially exciting since it is the world premiere of Devon […]

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High Aspirations – 5th Annual Mentors Challenge

The Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown will be the setting for High Aspirations’ 5th Annual Mentors Challenge on November 17th. Committee members are making final plans for the special evening that will include cocktails, dinner and remarks from Father Gregory Joseph Boyle, S.J., guest speaker. Marianne and Bill Dunn, Jr., and The […]

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Ozanam – Hollywood Holiday Gala

Guests will experience the glitz and glamour of Hollywood at Ozanam’s 32nd annual Hollywood Holiday Gala. The December 4th event will be held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Andrea and David Leavitt are the chairmen, and Larry Moore will serve as emcee. Larry Moore, emcee; with Andrea and David Leavitt, chairmen […]

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KCares for Kids Walk –  Jaszianne Tolbert

“More than half of the 17-member KCares for Kids Walk planning committee includes Children’s Mercy employees who are volunteering their time to support the cause. That speaks volumes about our organization’s passion behind our patients. Each child’s success is my personal goal. I know so many people here feel the same way. We had a […]

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High Aspirations – 5th Annual Mentors Challenge

Gayle and Bruce Krigel and Leisa and Ralph Reid are serving as co-chairmen of the 5th Annual Mentors Challenge, a benefit for High Aspirations. The November 17th event will be held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. High Aspirations is a prevention-based mentoring program that serves young African American men in Our Town, ages eight […]

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The Friends of Chamber Music – Soirée

Soirée 2016, a benefit for The Friends of Chamber Music, will be held on April 23rd at The American. Guests will celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary and enjoy a gourmet dinner with fine wines, silent and live auctions and a live performance by a world-class ensemble. Ellen and Irv Hockaday are the honorary chairmen, and […]

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Spotlight On Centurions  – Christie Hammond

Christie Hammond is a member of Centurions, class of 2016. She serves as co-chairman of the communications committee and will offer leadership on the upcoming Sports and Entertainment Task Force. Christie is the executive director of Hope Network, a faith-based social services agency in Raytown. She volunteers with Mother’s Refuge, a shelter for homeless teen […]

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Crescendo: New Mood Rising – Courtney Garrett

The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance will showcase more than 250 students and faculty during one of Our Town’s premier events, Crescendo: New Mood Rising, on November 6th. This celebration of talent will be held at the world-class Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.  Like a prism that bounces light around a room, this […]

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Spotlight on Centurions – Matthew Gigliotti

Matthew Gigliotti is a member of Centurions, Class of 2016. He is a co-chairman of the Benchmarking Trip Task Force and is a member of the projects committee. He and his wife, Nicole, are passionate about the Royals, backpacking, camping, and the preservation of nature’s special places. They have a daughter, Sophia, and a dog, […]

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JLKCMO – Healthy U

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, developed Healthy U in partnership with University Academy from 2010 through 2015 to teach its students about nutrition and fitness. Thanks to their efforts, more than 155,000 pounds of healthy food was sent home with children over the weekends and summer months through the Harvesters Backsnack project and […]

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Spofford Home – Butterfly Gala

Amy and Tyler Henson and Teresa and Ryan Keller are serving as co-chairmen of Spofford’s 16th annual Butterfly Gala. The October 24th event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner and silent and live auctions. Proceeds will help Spofford provide preventative and therapeutic treatment services to children ages three […]

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St. Teresa’s Academy – Auction

Anne and Kevin Connor, Ann and Joe Hodes and Melissa and David Skeens are serving as the co-chairmen of St. Teresa’s Academy auction, We Thank Our Lucky Stars. The November 21st event will be held at the school. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a gourmet dinner catered by Garõzzo’s Ristorante, more than 800 exciting silent and […]

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