To learn more about becoming a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Kansas City Chapter, please visit afpkc.org. The Independent is proud to be the exclusive media partner of AFPKC. Julianne DeLessio is employed with Union Station Kansas City as its donor and corporate relations manager, where she works with corporate partners and sponsors, as […]

The pandemic of recent months has inspired a number of remarkable innovations among Kansas City’s performing-arts groups, from livestreamed concerts and “Zoom theater” to high-tech ventures combining seemingly disparate art forms. Yet for all that, the Friends of Chamber Music and the Kansas City Chorale may have come up with something that is unique: A […]

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Charles King of Leawood, Kansas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jane Louise King, to James Arthur McClure, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Leonard Hertlein of Meriden, Kansas, and the late Mr. James Alvin McClure. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Aloysius […]

Katie Dunn Fitzgerald and Matt Fitzgerald, Karen and Hank Herrmann, Christine and Sandy Kemper, and Yvette and Leo Morton were the honorary co-chairmen for The Rent Party, a benefit for Community LINC. The October 2nd event was held at the Sheraton Crown Center Exhibit Hall. Peggy and Terry Dunn were the 2021 Hometown Hero honorees, […]

This year’s Dream Big Day, a benefit for Children’s Mercy, was held as an at-home celebration on September 25th. A radio broadcast featuring patients’ stories, interviews with supporters, fun music, and more were among the items on the agenda.   Read more from the November 13, 2021 issue of The Independent

The 48th Annual Snow Ball, a benefit for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, will be held on January 15th at the Overland Park Convention Center, with guests having the option of attending virtually. Patti and Tom Schugel are the honorary presidents, and Donna and Mark Teahan are serving as this year’s presidents. The annual Kick-off […]

Jackson County CASA held its third annual Cocktails for CASA – A Night of Hope on October 1st at the Pennway Place at Studio Dan Meiners. The jubilant evening (including the CASA-politan signature cocktail) raised funds to support CASA’s mission of providing children who are in the Jackson County family court system due to abuse […]

An increasingly high demand for quality Thai food has brought about a third location for Penny and Doug Mufuka to Our Town. Also the proud owners of the Thai House and KC Thai, they have opened Bamboo Penny’s in Park Place in Leawood. If a host of menu options and an even larger restaurant footprint […]

The Love Fund has been a treasured organization in the Kansas City metro since 1981. As the organization celebrates its 40-year history, it is not without a look back at the foundation of the mission and its immeasurable impact on our community. The Love Fund’s origin story began with a weekly news segment on Fox […]

Jennifer Salva and Logan Weed were the co-chairmen for The Whole Person’s Night of Independence Awards Gala – An Evening in Paris. The event, which was held on September 24th at The Abbott, spotlighted individuals, businesses, and organizations that work to further the mission of The Whole Person to provide independent living services and programming […]

The Kansas City Country Club was the setting for the Jewel Ball Mothers’ Coffees, which were held on September 28th and 29th. Mothers of this year’s Debutantes, Gentlemen of The Jewel Ball, and Escorts enjoyed the fun festivities. Susie Heddens is serving as chairman of The Jewel Ball, to be held on November 27th at […]