February 2019
Christmas Bureau Thank You
Thank you to everyone who made Christmas Bureau possible this year. After you see the numbers, read on to find out how you can support Christmas Bureau with your time all year long. Thanks to 408 adopters and $16,725 in individual and business contributions, Christmas Bureau was able to serve:
- 1,728 households
- 6,049 individuals, including
- 2,695 adults
- 3,354 children (17 and under)
Because of all those generous adopters and donors, Christmas Bureau was able to invest more than $365,000 back into the community in December.
Thanks to our dedicated committee members:
- Lee Schwartz
- Mary Ortiz
- Chris Kish
- Deborah Sidwell
- Sandy Summers
- Lisa Cain
- Kay Ireland
You don't have to wait until next Christmas to help! Watch for details about this year’s special “Christmas in July” giving event. Or better yet, join one of our Christmas Bureau committees and help us plan it! Click for more details.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you to all our donors on this special holiday dedicated to love! We decided to surprise our top ten small business campaigns with homemade valentines and some sweet treats.
Check out our Facebook and Twitter feeds to see more!
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayTopeka/
Twitter https://twitter.com/UnitedWayTopeka
Campaign Update: $2.1 MILLION!
Because of YOU, we have reached $2.1 million toward our $2.75 million campaign goal! Your investment in our community so far means that 561 children will receive the tools and resources they and their families need to be ready for kindergarten! Our campaign runs through June 30, so you still have the opportunity to invest in change and help us reach our goal. You can give securely online anytime at GiveTopeka.org.
Operation Move-In Completed
Thanks for your patience while we moved into our new home! We fought with some phone gremlins and lived without our favorite photocopier for a while, but with the exception of the decorating, we are up and running at full speed. Open house plans are in the works and will be announced via email and social media soon! Here's what you can expect when you visit:
- Great parking: staff park on the west side of the building, leaving the north side free for visitors. Please be sure to leave the marked lane clear for those using the far north aisle.
- Accessibility: Two dedicated handicap spots are parallel to Fairlawn on the east side of the building. Please enter the lot south of Lyndon State Bank and park facing north. The inner and outer doors both have power assist, and volunteer meetings and activities will take place on the main floor. Main floor restrooms are single-stall and both are handicap accessible.
- The wintry weather has prevented our new sign from going up, so don't be surprised if you still see Bryan University signage in the parking lot. It's a work in progress!
Spotlight on WU Partnerships
Collaboration is essential to community change. One of our greatest collaborative partners is Washburn University. While Washburn has run a United Way campaign for decades, they are now helping us find new ways to engage their students in community awareness and in philanthropy itself.
Washburn Leadership Institute
For the past 10 years, United Way supporters Joe and Janet Aleshire have transformed their annual contribution into the Aleshire Venture Grant, which is part of the LE 300 class every fall. Teams of Leadership students from all disciplines are challenged to create a request for proposal (RFP) in the area of early childhood and then contact local nonprofits for proposals. Students learn from the Aleshires and from UWGT CEO Jessica Lehnherr as they write the RFP, evaluate proposals, visit applicants and make funding decisions. The class culminates with a presentation to the UWGT Board of Directors and check presentations to the winning nonprofits.
This spring LE 300 students are piloting a new collaboration designed to teach them more about determining community needs and raising funds. Working with Vice President of Community Impact Brett Martin and Vice President of Resource Development Angel Romero, their efforts will result in “social innovation grants” designed to help new ideas and programs that align with UWGT impact goals find initial footing in the community.
United Way staff and volunteers also have a strong history of helping with the annual spring Leadership Challenge event (https://washburn.edu/academics/leadership-institute/leadership-challenge-event/index.html).
Nursing Community Impact Tours
Originally designed to connect United Way donors to impact work, bus tours also now take WU Nursing students to show them underserved areas of Topeka and help them understand how their work can deeply affect neighborhoods.
Recycled Rides
Washburn Tech students and staff work with community partners, including United Way, to offer Recycled Rides. Automotive students help restore vehicles to premium condition and then choose recipients from a pool of nominees to receive the vehicles. United Way posts the nomination forms, collects nominations and paperwork, facilitates the student selection committee and celebrates with them at each semester’s drive-away event. In 2018, Washburn Tech handed over the keys to its 25th Recycled Ride, more than any other school.
Board Service
Washburn University currently has a faculty member and a student serving on the UWGT Board of Directors. Mark Fried is the University Counsel, and Claire Leffingwell is a Leadership Institute student from Oklahoma.
Advocate
Your voice matters! United Way is continually watching the progress of bills in the state and national legislature. Find out what issues we monitor by reading our 2019 Legislative Agenda on our Advocacy page. You will also find links to identify and contact your legislators at every level.
Volunteer
If you haven’t created your new Get Connected account, now is the perfect time! We will be training agencies soon on how to post their volunteer and donation needs on this interactive online portal. You can browse opportunities, follow your favorite agencies and track your own volunteer time with the resume function. Check it out at: https://unitedwaytopeka.galaxydigital.com/ and invite your friends to sign up.