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Representatives of United Way of Kaw Valley (UWKV) spoke of the many projects and activities sponsored by the storied organization. Judy Riling, Director of Donor Engagement, and Kathy Smith, Vice President of Douglas County Initiatives, described the organization’s impact and focus on a whole family approach to assistance. There is a particular concern for households just above the poverty line who do not qualify for government assistance and yet are struggling. UKWV invests in early education, financial stability, substance abuse, racial equity and basic needs. Working with public and private partners they seek solutions to community problems. Some UWKV programs include a volunteer matching service, a volunteer tax assistance program, a Christmas Bureau, the junior leader reading program, and a community resource navigator. Volunteers and donations are critical the UWKV’s success.

Landon McClintock‘s parents were officers in the Salvation Army and he and his wife Megan hold leadership positions in the Douglas County Salvation Army. The couple first worked in a drug rehab center in Chicago. The Salvation Army is an international christian church with a mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination. The organization operates a busy food pantry and a mobile outreach vehicle. They provide case management for struggling families, and rent and utility assistance. Their work is guided by a local advisory board and volunteers are relied upon to help deliver services. They have a new location that will make it possible to deliver more services, however, some major structural improvements are necessary. Landon indicated that needs are increasing in the community.

Kaitlyn Peine is the Community Health and Wellness Agent for K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) in Douglas County. She works with a number of community programs, including SNAP-ED. This is a United States Department of Agriculture Program funded grant directed to State government and KSRE. SNAP-ED is intended to prevent nutrition and activity related chronic disease by assisting low resource Kansans. The program promotes good nutrition, food economy, physical activity and improving food handling and preparation. Kaitlyn was recently involved in a focus group that addressed food insecurity in Douglas County, that is, an experience of uncertainty and anxiety over the availability of food. Some 20 per cent of county residents experience food insecurity. Information gathered from the focus group participants will be used to address the problem in a Community Health Improvement Plan.

Ron Renz has been flying for 46 years, getting started in college when his boss paid for his first flight. Ron is an aerospace engineer and an experimental test pilot and operates an aircraft management business at Lawrence Municipal Airport. He provides all aspects of operating and maintaining aircraft, including consulting services. Ron related in detail a flight over the North Atlantic made in March 2020 to deliver a Mitsubishi MU-2B turbo prop to Germany. The aircraft buyer and two other passengers were also aboard. Fueling stops were made in Maine, Iceland, Greenland and Scotland. The threat of bad weather, terrible visibility and great distances made such a flight particularly challenging. Careful preparation and an understanding of the plane’s requirements and limitations are essential. The trip was made just as countries were closing their borders due to Covid. However, the flight was a success. Ron Renz is clearly a man who loves his job.

Amanda Sellet appreciates a good story, be it in print or on film. She studied cinema at NYU and aspired to be a journalist. Unfortunately, it was at the moment newspapers began to fail or sharply cut staff. She and her husband moved to Kansas, had a daughter and Amanda began to freelance her work. It seemed natural to give fiction writing a try and her first books were Young Adult novels. “Belittled Women” was a retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women”, a playful remix of the original. Her Young Adult novels have been popular and well reviewed. “Hate to Fake it to You” is her most recent adult novel and a retelling of the classic holiday film, “Christmas in Connecticut.” It involves a popular online influencer who fakes her credentials. Amanda shared her frustration and humor regarding her experience with the publishing industry. Her books are available from many sources, including the Raven Book Store.