Thanks to the generosity of Northlanders, $2,758 in school supplies was donated to Operation Child in Need during a Fill the Bus event hosted by Gary Crossley Ford and T-Mobile/Wireless Vision.
“It was a really nice day, nice turnout, nice reception,” said Karen Mollohan with Assistance League of Kansas City. “It was a little bit humbling to be a part of that and see businesses come together and support us.”
Operation Child in Need is one of eight philanthropic programs managed by the Assistance League which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
“Our Operation Child in Need fills specific needs that might not otherwise get met. We also donate backpacks to area organizations or schools where they have indentified they need backpacks or school supplies,” Mollohan said.
The program has assisted with needs such as new eyeglasses, diapers and infant supplies, and dental work.
The backpacks and supplies were delivered to the Synergy Youth Resiliency Center on Aug. 22.
“They were overwhelmed by the additional supplies that we were able to give them,” Mollohan said.
The press release issued by Assistance League of Kansas City describes the event:
Fill the Bus” Event Helps Operation Child in Need
Assistance League® of Kansas City had the good fortune be a part of a wonderful event, hosted by Gary Crossley Ford and T-Mobile. On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, local businesses came together at the Gary Crossley Ford dealership in Kansas City, to hold a “Fill the Bus” event to collect school supplies and backpacks for the Operation Child in Need program, one of eight philanthropic programs managed by the volunteer members of Assistance League of Kansas City, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help fulfill the unmet needs of children and adults in the Kansas City area by working together with community partners.
Gary Crossley Ford planned the event, provided the space and invited various businesses to be involved. Members of the Gary Crossley Ford event team included Gary Montoya, Frankie Petty, Heather Grant, Mikaela Ramirez, Crystal Stone, Stephanie Catron and Alex Moore. Kyle Walker designed the promotional flyer that was distributed to area businesses.
Earl Holmes and his team of managers from T-Mobile provided not only the backpacks, but gave away lots of promotional swag items, t-shirts, sunglasses, sling bags and a LG phone valued at $499 that was raffled off at the end of the event. They also provided music and the “pink dancing guys” which lent a party-like atmosphere to the festivities.
Area businesses and individuals that helped make the event successful included, Carey Welsch of Northland Lifestyle Magazine, Clay County Sheriff Paul Vescovo and members of his department were on hand to do Ident-A-Kid Kits, First Student Bus Service and Parkville School District provided the bus that was displayed. These businesses were also part of the event, Jerry Spotts from Sam’s Club of Liberty, Josh Childers and his son Brooks from LG Electronics, Pat Hurley with Pigtails and Olives Food Truck, Michael Bradbury with The Funnel Cake Truck, Alicia Elizondo with Lipstick to Lashes (face painting), Jenny DeVry with Kanning Orthodontist, Terry Rennack with Mathnasium, Bobbi Hurley, masseuse and photographer Brad Nall.
Youth members of the Assisteens® auxiliary, Bethany Zenil, Emily and Sarah Beahm, Emily and McKenna Valentine, Sean and Morgan Brown, Kylie and Austin Winbigler and Clara Gust and Mom Sanya Brown were on hand to receive and sort the supplies. Assistance League of Kansas City members Karen Moreno, Mary Reynolds, Vada Shields, Margie Thomas, Joy George and Karen Mollohan were there to help provide a face to our organization and answer questions.
Mike Devires from Chandler Baptist Church, Lisa Smith from Met Life, Patty O’Shea of Gladstone and the Wehling family of Liberty, were just a few of many local individuals that came out to support the event and donate school supplies. Bryce Wehling, who had previously served as president of the Assisteens a number of years prior, had heard about the event and commented, “Since I had once been a member of the Assisteens, I felt the need to come and donate. I remembered the impact being a part of Assisteens had on me and knew that I could help.”
Following the event, twenty-one members of the Assisteens® met on Sunday, August 14 at their monthly meeting to assemble the backpacks and supplies. They were amazing to watch, as they took a mere 30 minutes to combine the backpacks and supplied. On hand to help were members of the Operation Child in Need Program and the Assisteens coordinators. Assisteens members that participated were Kylie and Austin Winbigler, Stacy Youngers, Bethany Zenil, Emily Valentine, Sydney and Hailey Peck, Morgan and Sean Brown, Makena Valentine, Ainsley and Cade Gardner, Clara Gust, Josie Rawlings, Sarah Horseman, Emily Siler, McKenzie Hooton, Marissa Stepp, Sarah and Emily Beahm and Macy Minear. The official tally of collected school supplies totaled $2758, enough to fill 75 backpacks for elementary students and 105 high school students. The filled backpacks were delivered on Monday, August 15, to Synergy Youth Resiliency Center, 2001 NE Parvin Road, KCMO, where they will go to help homeless teens and at-risk youth. Forty-four additional backpacks with a small assortment of supplies will go to various schools served by Operation Child in Need.
What a wonderful way to see our vision statement in action:
Together…making our community better
Karen Mollohan
Public Relations Chairman
