United Way of Kaw Valley Welcomes Newest Adopt-A-School Partners

Southwest Publishing and Ross Elementary School have officially become United Way of Kaw Valley Adopt-A-School partners. Southwest joins Hill’s Pet Nutrition (State Street Elementary), and the duo of US Bank and Clayton Wealth Partners (Scott Dual Language Elementary) as corporate participants in this program that connects local employers and area schools.

“Adopt-A-School is a way for companies to create a meaningful volunteer program that directly and consistently benefits their school partner,” said TJ McDonald, Director of Workplace Campaigns for United Way. “With our extensive experience in volunteer coordination, we help Adopt-A-School pairs get the most from their relationship and make the whole process easier.”

Southwest Publishing started working with Ross Elementary in 2020 as part of its newly created Pay It Forward program. But Community Engagement Coordinator Renee Franklin said it was important to the company to formalize the relationship now.

“Southwest Publishing has been undergoing a culture change in the way we accomplish our goals,” Franklin said. “Everything from the way we undertake our internal processes to the way we interact with our community. This codification of our ongoing relationship with Ross Elementary allows us to show the community and our clients that we are committed to the growth we claim on paper. It also allows us to partner with the United Way, which is the gold standard in community engagement.”

Southwest Publishing employs more than 400 workers across 5 shifts. So far, Franklin estimates that about 10% have been able to participate in activities with the school, including a current project to pack snack bags for all Ross students to have while they are taking their state assessment tests.

While the benefits to the students and the school are obvious, Franklin said the partnership is equally good for the Southwest Publishing employees.

“Sometimes in the day-to-day experience of work we can forget that there are people in our own neighborhood whose lives would be enhanced with our engagement,” Franklin said. “Our partnership with Ross Elementary is an opportunity for our entire organization to be cognizant of that and allows us to develop our pride in the fact that we work for such an amazing company!”

Once the relationship is established, McDonald noted, the employer and school work closely to identify needs and opportunities for the volunteers. United Way provides back-end support with its TopekaVolunteers.org volunteer management system and by leveraging its connections with agency and other partners throughout the Topeka community.

Because Ross Elementary School, located at 1400 SE 34th St., and Southwest Publishing, 4000 SE Adams, are less than two miles apart, it’s not surprising that projects that benefit the school and its students also benefit Southwest employees who have children or grandchildren at Ross.

Franklin said that point hit home when one of the employees rode to Ross with her for a project.

“Alex (the employee) had asked about participating in our upcoming volunteer opportunity with Ross (filling treat bags for the students that will be taking State testing during the next several weeks) and I was telling him when to be at my office so we could leave for Ross. He was so excited and kept referencing the Pay It Forward bulletin board I had installed, along with the pictures and descriptions of the various projects we have partnered with Ross on. I asked him why he was so excited, and he shared with me that his daughter attends Ross and he couldn’t wait for her to see him there helping her school. Alex wanted nothing more than for his daughter to be proud of him for being an involved dad, not just for her school but for his company.”

All Franklin could think about after that encounter, she said, was that “even when we step outside of ourselves to be involved, no matter where and how, we are definitely helping our community. But we are, without a doubt, helping ourselves as well.”

United Way of Kaw Valley

Adopt-a-School FAQ

Does Adopt-A-School only work for large companies?

No! Any business can join the Adopt-A-School program. The program can be tailored to meet the goals of any corporate partner, and smaller businesses can partner together for more volunteer power.

Why does United Way support and facilitate these Adopt-A-School partnerships?

These partnerships are an excellent way for companies to go beyond simple one-time volunteer opportunities and create meaningful, long-term impact and relationships.

Through Adopt-A-School, companies develop a relationship with their school partner and learn more about the needs of the school and the population they serve. This allows companies to provide targeted, long-term support for schools through giving, volunteering, or advocating.

How many Adopt-A-School partnerships are active right now?

Ross Elementary is the third school to join. Other partnerships include State Street Elementary with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and Scott Dual Language Elementary with Clayton Wealth Partners/US Bank.

What are the expectations for a corporate Adopt-A-School partner?

Support the school’s needs, both in terms of volunteerism and monetary support. This could include assisting at school events, such as carnivals, concerts, or fundraisers, or collecting donations of goods or dollars to benefit the school.

Partners also promote school events, making sure the community knows how they can attend and/or help.

If my company is interested in joining an Adopt-A-School partnership, whom should I contact?

Anyone interested in adopting a school can contact McDonald at tmcdonald@uwkawvalley.org or 785.228.5117.