United Way of Kaw Valley Day of Giving boosts annual campaign total by $35,492
In its fifth year, United Way of Kaw Valley’s June Day of Giving generated its best response to date. Donors and match sponsors contributed $35,492 in an end-of-cycle effort to keep important work running uninterrupted.
To put that amount in perspective, the donations raised during the 2024 Day of Giving on their own would be enough to:
Provide 1,400 pounds of food for children and families
Teach personal finance concepts to 434 teens
Cover the cost of our KawValleyVolunteers.org system that connects volunteers to agencies that need their time
Day of Giving is a 24-hour event that marks the final month of UWKV’s annual campaign. Day of Giving is primarily an online event in much of the UWKV’s four-county service area that includes Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson and Shawnee Counites.
“We are so proud of our donors for their record-breaking generosity on the Day of Giving,” said UWKV CEO Jessica Lehnherr. “These dollars are vital to continuing the important progress we are making across Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson and Jefferson counties. We look forward to continuing to work alongside donors, volunteers, and partners to build strong, healthy and equitable communities for everyone.”
United Way donations support community initiatives and collaborations, volunteer engagement projects and infrastructure, and impact grants to partners. Donations stay in the county where they were raised unless donors request otherwise.
The overall campaign goal for the current year is $2.6 million. Douglas County is only $20,000 from its $600,000 goal after Day of Giving gifts were totaled. Overall, the campaign still needs more than $400,000 to reach its goal. Opportunities remain to give before the campaign ends on June 30.
One-time or monthly recurring donations can be made online at uwkawvalley.org/give. Donations can also be made during business hours at either office location or mailed to the Topeka office, 1527 SW Fairlawn, Topeka, KS 66604.
Donors have raised more than $140,000 through the Day of Giving in the past five years.
Also on the 2024 Day of Giving:
Mass St. Collective organized KU student-athletes to assist with UWKV’s food and personal care item drive at Checkers grocery store in Lawrence. Together with volunteers from United Way’s Youth Service Coalition, the athletes collected 1,668 pounds of food and personal care products. Thanks to the Ballard Center in Lawrence for helping collect and distribute those items to agencies in Douglas County.
UWKV staff engaged more than 40 participants and volunteers in a poverty simulation at FHLBank Topeka. Activities like the poverty simulation, impact bus tours and community data walks are made possible in part by donors and allow UWKV to engage corporate and community partners in learning more about local challenges.
Great Plains Media and its three Lawrence stations hosted a 12-hour Day of Giving radiothon for the second year, generating match money and providing airtime all day for UWKV and social service providers across Douglas County.
WIBW served as the Day of Giving media sponsor for the 5th year, providing advertising and visibility for United Way, including multiple video segments with United Way partners.
SparkWheel:
https://www.wibw.com/2024/05/13/program-ignites-spark-students-thanks-assistance-united-way-kaw-valley/
Pine Ridge:
https://www.wibw.com/2024/05/07/pine-ridge-prep-values-partnership-with-united-way-kaw-valley/
Mirror Inc.:
https://www.wibw.com/2024/05/20/mirror-inc-supports-families-rehabilitation-with-help-united-way-kaw-valley
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library:
https://www.wibw.com/2024/05/29/dolly-donors-team-up-spark-kids-imagination-through-reading
