Philanthropy

	Topeka Performing Arts Center – Grape Escape 2016 As co-chair of 19th annual Grape Escape for the Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC) our committee continued to build on the positive growth of our #1 fundraiser!  We increased premium table partnerships and invested in a celebrity guest that everyone wanted to see…  Dave Coulier best known as “Joey Gladstone” from the hit ABC sitcom Full House!  We raised approximately $77,000 gross revenue or $48,500 net revenue which allows TPAC to bring in quality entertainment for the community!
	Epsilon Sigma Alpha – Hats and Horses Extravaganza Benefiting St. Jude – 2016 I was recruited for a second year to co-host the annual fundraising event for Epsilon Sigma Alpha benefiting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital . This year was a Kentucky Derby themed event with a goal of raising more than the $14,000 in 2015 for St. Jude.  St. Jude’s mission is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. We were successful and we raised over $21,500!
	Wichita Thunder Hockey – #DannyStrong 2016 Terry Dietz was on SURVIVOR Cambodia when he was approached by Jeff Probst to inform him of a family emergency.  As it turned out, his son Danny Dietz, would need a heart transplant and by the grace of god ultimately had a full recovery!  Who know that after Terry was cast on 2 seasons of the hit CBS program SURVIVOR (Panama and Cambodia) his son Danny would truly be the ultimate survivor!  So, through a partnership with the Wichita Thunder Hockey team we hosted a SURVIVOR casting call and raised $2,000 for the Danny Strong Fund benefiting the Boston Children’s Hospital!  The mission of the Boston Children’s Hospital focuses on care, research, education, and community.
	Topeka Performing Arts Center – Grape Escape 2015 As chair of 18th annual Grape Escape for the Topeka Performing Arts Center (TPAC) our committee reformatted an event that had been declining in revenue to bring it back to the levels 5-10 years prior! We added premium tables and included entertainment at the end of the evening which had never been done before. We raised approximately $66,000 gross revenue or $54,000 net revenue which allows TPAC to bring in quality entertainment for the community!
	Epsilon Sigma Alpha – Grease Sing-A-Long Party Benefiting St. Jude – 2015 I was recruited by an former high school teacher to assist in organizing the annual fundraising event for Epsilon Sigma Alpha benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital . With an initial goal of raising less than $5,000 for St. Jude, I offered up a few idea’s and resources but challenged the organization to raise over $10,000 this year. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s mission is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. It was a huge success and we ended up raising over $14,000!
	Habitat For Humanity Build 2014 For WIBW-TV’s 60th, I was the lead organizer to raise over $135,000 to build the largest Habitat For Humanity home in our community. We were able to bring together over 25 community partners to make this project happen. Habitat For Humanity’s goal is to provide safe and decent homes for families in need.  We began this process in December 2013 with the ground breaking in March 2014 and we completed this endeavor with a dedication to the Munganga Family in December 2014!
	Festival of Trees – 2012, 2013, & 2014 For the past 3 years we have designed a tree to donate to the Festival of Trees benefiting SLI. Our themes have been: Chocolate, WIBW’s 60th Anniversary, and Santa! SLI supports the efforts of individuals with intellectual disabilities to achieve independence and actively participate in the community.  These trees have raised over $2,500 in funds for SLI!
	Homes For The Holidays Christmas Tour – 2013 In 2013, I volunteered to open up my home to the community for the Homes For The Holiday’s Christmas Tour to support an organization called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).  This organization utilizes volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children and youth involved in the court system.  In addition, to add to my home and the spirit of Christmas, I recruited support from 4 other local businesses to adopt 20 families from the local United Way Christmas bureau.  So, as the ticket holders explored my home they also saw over $5,000 in exquisitely wrapped gifts that would be delivered to less fortunate families by Christmas!  Many claimed my home was the BEST in the tour that year!
	Downtown Adventure Topeka Race 2013 & 2014 As a volunteer, I recruited CBS reality TV starts to run the race in Topeka, KS benefiting Let’s Help.  Let’s Help is an organization that provides education, employment preparation, and food for those in need.
	In addition to the above, I am a big brother for Big Brothers & Big Sisters, I have raised money and supported Washburn University, Give Kids The World, and Michelle’s Place.