The Good Cheer Volunteers are being applauded by Children’s Mercy during this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Month. These rays of sunshine help make the days brighter for clients and their family members and caregivers. In addition to assisting with parent programs, they help clients enjoy experiences similar to camp activities, such as crafts, games, and special […]

Ann and Josh Rowland are serving as the honorary chairs for the 29th annual Community Luncheon, a benefit for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA). The event will be held on May 5th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The keynote speaker will be Jodi Kantor, a Pulitzer Prize […]

Tandra Stacer has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City for many years. Not only is she a board member, but she is a Big. Tandra and her Little, Gabby, were matched a decade ago and have many wonderful memories of their time together. Tandra and Gabby received the Big and Little Sister […]

Trailblazer: Jennifer Matney, Rising Star Class of 2016 Jennifer Matney, Rising Star Class of 2016, is the board chair of the Women United Cabinet for the United Way of Greater Kansas City and the board president for the School of Economics. She is a member of the ambassador board of Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City. Jennifer […]

Anne Bowling’s activities with the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City include serving as secretary and a member of the board of directors, which she has done for more than six years. That’s far from her only involvement. Anne also helps guide the organization’s social media presence. She posts updates on Facebook. […]

The Symphony League of Kansas City’s Symphony Ball, “Seasons,” will be held on September 9th at the Kansas City Convention Center. Shirley Helzberg is serving as the honorary chairman. The event will celebrate Maestro Michael Stern’s final season with the Symphony. All members of the Symphony will perform. Julie McCann and Gina Penner are the […]

Members of the Celebration Committee for Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy’s Leading with Love event met recently at Lathrop GMP for a luncheon to kick off the inaugural event. Event Co-chair Mara Cohara was the host. Exciting plans are being made for the June 15th celebration, which will be held at Loews Kansas City Hotel. […]

Colin Woods helps HappyBottoms by delivering orders to diaper distribution agencies and hospitals, entering data, contacting families who need information, and much more. He has volunteered for more than 100 hours with the organization. Thank you, Colin, for helping to alleviate diaper need in Our Town.  Featured in the February 18, 2023 issue of The […]

Ursula Terrasi and Jim Miller are the honorary chairs for Truman Library Institute’s Wild About Harry, which will be held on April 20th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The 24th annual event will celebrate the 75th anniversary of President Harry S. Truman’s “Year of Great Decisions,” 1948, which paved the […]

Leading with Love, a benefit for Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, will be held at Loews Kansas City Hotel on June 15th. Christine Kemper, founder and board chair, will lead this inaugural event, with Debby Ballard, Mara Cohara, Tammy Edwards, Jeanette Prenger, and Laura Welch as co-chairs. Ann and Andrew Tisch will be the special […]

HALO, which provides housing, healing, and education services to thousands of HALO youth, will hold “Defying the Odds”: A HALO Art Auction Benefiting Homeless Youth on February 24th at Hotel Kansas City. The event will feature live and silent auctions, as well as musical performances and special guests. Auction items will include artwork by HALO […]

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 […]

Carrie McDonald has been a volunteer with Literacy KC for nine years. She donates to the organization and has volunteered there for more than 1,000 hours. Carrie is an active tutor who assists students with reading, writing, and comprehension skills. She also volunteers in the Community Garden, where she helps each week with watering, harvesting, […]

The Lyric Opera Ball, hosted by the Lyric Opera Circle, will be held on April 1st at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Mary Beth Gentry is serving as the president of the Lyric Opera Circle, and Edie Downing and Juliette Singer are serving as the co-chairmen for the Ball. The event will […]

Karla and Dr. Ivan Batlle are serving as the honorary chairs for the Lyric Opera Circle’s 35th Lyric Opera Ball. The Batlles have made their home in Our Town since leaving New Orleans, Louisiana, following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Karla is a member of the Lyric Opera Circle, and Ivan is a member of the […]

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy’s Civic Service Award Celebration will be held on January 22nd at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Alan Edelman will be this year’s honoree. The honorary co-chairs are Merilyn Berenbom, Marcia Karbank, and Roshann Parris. Susie Azorsky and Mike Abrams are the event co-chairs, and Carl Puritz, school founder, and […]

Band of Angels is very grateful to have a volunteer like Kathleen McCullough. Kathleen is a retired orchestra director who serves on the organization’s board of directors. She also leads the music camp scholarship program, is developing the college scholarship process, and volunteers at every Band of Angels’ event. Kathleen’s unflappable dedication ensures that students […]

Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph is grateful to have volunteers who help regularly at the organization’s South Serve and Lift Center Pantry on Longview Road. Two of them are Rosie Harrison and Janine Urness. Rosie has a welcoming manner and a calm demeanor, both assets when she calls to remind clients about their pantry […]

Jim Keller is a longtime volunteer with Pathway To Hope. The organization’s motto, “Because no one should face mental illness alone” resonates with him. A quarter of a century ago, someone close to him died after struggling with bipolar disorder. Jim was the original Night of Hope event coordinator. He guided the gala planning efforts […]

The Overland Park Convention Center will be the site for the 49th Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, on January 21st. The black-tie event will include a cocktail reception, a delicious dinner, and dancing. Marcia and Nelson Newcomer and The Newcomer Family are serving as the honorary presidents, and Pam […]

For some, service is what they do, and for others, it is an extension of who they are. Alisha Thomson is the latter; engaging in volunteerism is something that is woven through every stage of her life story and is the backdrop of her career success. Alisha grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and later moved […]