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26 Issues

In addition to receiving 26 issues of The Independent Kansas City’s Journal of Society, your subscription will include our annual publication, the Charitable Events Calendar and a subscription to our e-newsletter, The Insider. Questions about your current subscription? Contact Laura Gabriel at 816-471-2800.

The Independent’s 2020 Top Ten Party

Each of the individuals selected to be honored in The Independent’s 2020 Class of Rising Stars were big dreamers about professional success, but more importantly about giving back to our community. Heartfelt congratulations were given to the seven honorees, Ruth Brackney, Jason Carter-Solomon, Chuck Cuda, Chris Miller, Bess Wallerstein Huff, India Williams, and Jason Wright, at a festive gathering at the 1900 Building on February 20th. Partygoers dined on fantastic fare from Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions. Also recognized were Our Town’s non-profit organizations that were honored during The Top Ten Events of 2019 presentation.

Alpha-Lit KC lit up the 1900 Building.

 

Hannah Neel and Paige Engle, Big Brothers Big Sisters KC; flanked India Williams, 2020 Rising Star.

 

Joan Cabell, Alzheimer’s Association; and Joanne Schafer

 

Brick Huffman, Boy Scouts of America; Eric Chinnery, and Ryan Shriver

 

Anne and Norbert Russ with Lisa Shea

 

Kirk Williams and Jo Anne Gabbert with Julie Kaul and Jason Roth, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City

 

Missy Accurso and David Accurso, featured artist

 

Chuck Cuda, 2020 Rising Star; with Denise Wiese and Megan Clemens,
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; and Darren Taylor

 

Shawn and Holly Mihal, Ruth Brackney, 2020 Rising Star; and Joyce Layman

 

Nancy and Ed Wallerstein

 

Lara Klover and Jessica Kerrigan, Jackson County CASA

 

Vincent Anch, Catholic Education Foundation; and Enrique Chavez, Diamonds Direct

 

Theresa Gaul, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas; and Kerry Gentry Hartnett

 

Polly Kramer, Erik Bergrud, and Kassie Sands, MOCSA

 

Sarah Pence Bloss, Amy Castillo, and Gemma Zook, Ability KC

 

Tracy Mattis, KidsTLC, Jenny and Jason Wright, 2020 Rising Star; Dr. Erin Dugan, KidsTLC; and Bob Dunn

 

Kimberly Wilkerson and Micheal Lawrence, Big Brothers Big Sisters KC

 

Laurence Freeman, Rockhurst High School; and Dr. Patrick and Shannon Lillis

 

Maddy McClure, Big Brothers Big Sisters KC; and Jill Harlan

 

Robin Levine, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; and Julie Schlueter, JDRF

 

Olga Elmanovich, Diamonds Direct; with Ruth Brackney, 2020 Rising Star

 

Erin McNamara and Paige Seidel, ALS Association

 

Paola Rivera and Erica Kiehnhoff, American Heart Association

 

Amanda Nichols and Shelli Jaye, American Heart Association

 

Jessica Kerrigan, Lara Klover, Tahir Atwater, and Angie Blumel, Jackson County CASA; flanked Mira Mdivani.

 

Dr. Dred Scott, Boys & Girls Clubs of GKC; and Jo Anne Gabbert with Julie Kaul and Jason Roth,
Boys & Girls Clubs of GKC

 

Polly Kramer, Kassie Sands, MOCSA; and Erik Bergrud and Kimberlee Ried

 

Kelsie Fell and Lynette Wheeler, TMC Foundation

 

Allison Malott, Ronald McDonald House Charities

 

Ashley Osborn and Allison Chael, First Hand Foundation

 

Kristy Ladd Culp, CCVI

 

Olga Elmanovich, Diamonds Direct; and India Williams, 2020 Rising Star

 

Tammy Butterfield and Victoria Bezzole, The University of Kansas Health System

 

Vincent Anch and Amy Meara, Catholic Education Foundation; Shannon and Dr. Patrick Lillis, and Derek Teeter

 

Olga Elmanovich, Diamonds Direct; and Jason Wright, 2020 Rising Star

 

2020 Class of Rising Stars: Ruth Brackney, Jason Carter-Solomon, Chuck Cuda,
Bess Wallerstein Huff, India Williams, and Jason Wright
(out of camera range) Chris Miller

Additional photos featured in the March 7, 2020 issue of The Independent
Photo Credit: Bailey Pianalto Photography

Features

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Symphony League of Kansas City – Spring Luncheon

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Symphony League of Kansas City – Ball Kickoff

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Saint Luke’s Foundation – Spirit of Philanthropy Awards

In the spirit of gratitude, Saint Luke’s Foundation hosted its Spirit of Philanthropy Awards celebration on April 18th at the 1900 Building. Being honored this year are: Philanthropists of the…