Donors and Volunteers Power Another Successful Christmas Bureau Year
Shawnee County Christmas Bureau work begins each year in October with volunteer training and signing up individuals and families who need a little extra help to have a happy holiday season.
Bonus: Hear UWKV CEO Jessica Lehnherr and Vice President of Community Impact Brett Martin talk about Christmas Bureau on Episode #290 of TRM's podcast: "United Community: Preparing for the Season Ahead."
As we suspected, the number of households that applied was up; 46 more households for a total of 1,214. That included almost 2,000 children and almost 4,000 adults.
This year the recommended cost to adopt a household of four remained at $235. Applicants could apply if their household income was less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline, or $5,358 per month.
Nearly 50 volunteers helped with intake days and data entry. This was our second year entering data into a custom database system created and supported by volunteers at Advisors Excel. Each year of use brings new improvements that increase our data entry accuracy and efficiency. This was also the second year that adopters were able to choose their adoptees and instantly receive the information to do their shopping.
The trend of fewer individual adopters sadly continued in 2025. When this happens, community partners are often able to serve a few additional families, but generally United Way of Kaw Valley assumes responsibility for those who remain. Doing so means an extra fundraising ask from the community to purchase either gifts or gift cards. This year, donors like you helped us reach our $60,000 goal and take care of all families before our Christmas break began!
We received donations from many employee groups, including Capitol Federal, who raised more $2,600 for the Christmas Bureau AND collected hygiene kit items! And our Christmas wishes came true when Security Benefit pushed us over the fundraising finish line with employee donations and a corporate matching gift!
Not only are Advisors Excel volunteers great at building databases, but they also showed up to help Doorstep prepare for their Christmas Bureau distribution!
Bonus: See WIBW's coverage of the start of Christmas Bureau intake, hosted at the Echo Ridge Community Center building courtesy of our amazing partners at Topeka Housing Authority. https://www.wibw.com/2025/10/29/christmas-bureau-taking-applications-starting-wednesday