What strikes me most when talking with Deborah Sandler is her curiosity about the world. When she’s not listening to an opera or planning one, she’s probably reading about design or current affairs in The New York Times, or taking in fresh air at Loose Park, or enjoying the Kemper Museum, or settling in with a […]

The Kansas City Young Matrons held its annual Civics Honoring Day on October 5th at its temporary headquarters, the Central United Methodist Church. Members heard updates from three of KCYM’s affiliate organizations: Ozanam, HappyBottoms Diaper Bank and Sheffield Place. Michele Nelson, Valerie Burke and Janet Bjerke Mother and Daughter Life Members Cokie Strafer and Judy […]

Mercedes Givens is a member of the Centurions, class of 2017 and is a member of the recruiting committee and Food Task Force. He is a wealth management consultant for the private client reserve of U.S. Bank. Mercedes is married and has two children. He enjoys reading, golfing, exercising, cooking, and traveling. Additional photos also […]

The Lyric Opera Circle’s Seduction Ball will be held on April 2nd at Union Station Kansas City. The honorary chairmen are Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bruening, and Mrs. Jack Spilker is the Circle president. The theme of the 30th annual event was inspired by the timeless allure of the opera, Carmen. Guests will enjoy a […]

Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley was extremely honored when the Kansas City Ballet Guild asked her to serve as the Nutcracker Ball chairman. It will be held on December 4th at Union Station Kansas City, and Ann Dickinson is the honorary chairman. “This 48th annual event is especially exciting since it is the world premiere of Devon […]

The Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown will be the setting for High Aspirations’ 5th Annual Mentors Challenge on November 17th. Committee members are making final plans for the special evening that will include cocktails, dinner and remarks from Father Gregory Joseph Boyle, S.J., guest speaker. Marianne and Bill Dunn, Jr., and The […]

Guests will experience the glitz and glamour of Hollywood at Ozanam’s 32nd annual Hollywood Holiday Gala. The December 4th event will be held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Andrea and David Leavitt are the chairmen, and Larry Moore will serve as emcee. Larry Moore, emcee; with Andrea and David Leavitt, chairmen […]

“More than half of the 17-member KCares for Kids Walk planning committee includes Children’s Mercy employees who are volunteering their time to support the cause. That speaks volumes about our organization’s passion behind our patients. Each child’s success is my personal goal. I know so many people here feel the same way. We had a […]

Gayle and Bruce Krigel and Leisa and Ralph Reid are serving as co-chairmen of the 5th Annual Mentors Challenge, a benefit for High Aspirations. The November 17th event will be held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. High Aspirations is a prevention-based mentoring program that serves young African American men in Our Town, ages eight […]

Soirée 2016, a benefit for The Friends of Chamber Music, will be held on April 23rd at The American. Guests will celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary and enjoy a gourmet dinner with fine wines, silent and live auctions and a live performance by a world-class ensemble. Ellen and Irv Hockaday are the honorary chairmen, and […]

Christie Hammond is a member of Centurions, class of 2016. She serves as co-chairman of the communications committee and will offer leadership on the upcoming Sports and Entertainment Task Force. Christie is the executive director of Hope Network, a faith-based social services agency in Raytown. She volunteers with Mother’s Refuge, a shelter for homeless teen […]

The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance will showcase more than 250 students and faculty during one of Our Town’s premier events, Crescendo: New Mood Rising, on November 6th. This celebration of talent will be held at the world-class Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.  Like a prism that bounces light around a room, this […]

Matthew Gigliotti is a member of Centurions, Class of 2016. He is a co-chairman of the Benchmarking Trip Task Force and is a member of the projects committee. He and his wife, Nicole, are passionate about the Royals, backpacking, camping, and the preservation of nature’s special places. They have a daughter, Sophia, and a dog, […]

The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, developed Healthy U in partnership with University Academy from 2010 through 2015 to teach its students about nutrition and fitness. Thanks to their efforts, more than 155,000 pounds of healthy food was sent home with children over the weekends and summer months through the Harvesters Backsnack project and […]

Amy and Tyler Henson and Teresa and Ryan Keller are serving as co-chairmen of Spofford’s 16th annual Butterfly Gala. The October 24th event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner and silent and live auctions. Proceeds will help Spofford provide preventative and therapeutic treatment services to children ages three […]

Anne and Kevin Connor, Ann and Joe Hodes and Melissa and David Skeens are serving as the co-chairmen of St. Teresa’s Academy auction, We Thank Our Lucky Stars. The November 21st event will be held at the school. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a gourmet dinner catered by Garõzzo’s Ristorante, more than 800 exciting silent and […]

As a young black woman growing up in Our Town’s urban core, Melissa Robinson had a lot to overcome. Her life could have taken many turns, but she decided early on that she wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of her dreams.  After Melissa graduated from North Kansas City High School, she […]

December 4th is the date for the Women’s Foundation’s Annual Luncheon, to be held at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Arianna Huffington, chairman, president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group; is the featured speaker. The mission of the Women’s Foundation is to promote equality and opportunity for women of all […]

Hannah Hasselquist was born and raised in Our Town. She graduated summa cum laude from Benedictine College with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and dance. Hannah is a member of Centurions, Class of 2016. She is the co-chairman of the Arts Task Force and serves on the retreat planning committee and the […]

Sarah and Jon Baum are the honorary chairmen for MOCSA’s annual Johnson County Fall Forum on October 7th at the Overland Park Marriott. Honorary Chairmen Jon and Sarah Baum Also featured in the September 5, 2015 issue of The Independent Photo Credit: David Remley  

Grab your girlfriends, grab a cocktail and grab a shopping bag! Holiday Mart, a benefit for The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri, will be held from October 22nd through the 25th at Bartle Hall. Ladies’ Night Out will be held on October 23rd. The event will feature signature cocktails, delicious fare from PB&J Restaurants, […]