United Way of Central Kansas hosted the July 10 Great Bend Chamber Coffee to announce and celebrate its 2025 Campaign Pacesetters. These 15 local businesses raised $102,000 – 45% of the campaign goal. The coffee took place at the First Kansas Bank, taking top donor honors for the first time. As such, it was named the Gold Overall Award recipient.
The full list appeared in Thursday’s Great Bend Tribune (Pacesetter Businesses honored by UWCK).
Pacesetter businesses offer a payroll campaign that allows employees to have monthly donations to United Way directly deducted from their checks.
UWCK Executive Director Charell Owings said United Way’s efforts in Barton and Pawnee counties focus on supporting healthy communities, financial security, youth opportunities, and community resiliency through 18 community partners.
“In 2024, United Way was able to directly impact over 4,000 lives with our programming that we do. That included 200 backpacks filled with supplies, another 800 school supplies distributed through Stuff the Bus; more than 4,000 loads of laundry washed and dried for more than 1,500 individuals; (and) 600-plus students from nine schools participated in Reality U. (This month), 886 kids will be getting books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and that’s every month.
“And then we help families maintain their vehicles through Auto Care Access, and #Real World for high school seniors. These programs and the work that our partners do are resources and opportunities for what we call ALICE families. ALICE stands for asset-limited, income-constrained, employed. These are friends and neighbors, coworkers, who struggle to keep up with the cost of basic needs. They are working hard, sometimes multiple jobs, and just not able to stretch that dollar far enough to be able to manage a savings account or be able to get their car fixed if something happens, pay their health insurance deductible, all of those little things that we might not always think about.”
Owings added, “If your workplace campaign does not do a payroll campaign like the ones we’re recognizing today, there are still ways that you can get involved. First up is Stuff the Bus.” This is a school supply drive taking place in several communities. In Great Bend, it will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 26 at Walmart and Dillons. “You can also drop off donations at our office at 2000 Washington St.” The telephone number is 620-792-2403.
She said volunteers are needed for shifts at Stuff the Bus events. See a list of other locations and the supplies needed at uwck.org/STB. This web page also has a link to the Volunteers In Action signup page for volunteering.
Also coming up for UWCK is the campaign kickoff event on August 2 at the Columbus Club with the Colorado Keys Dueling Pianos.
Chamber announcements
• The Summer Sidewalk Sale takes place Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at participating businesses in Great Bend.
• Tuesday, July 15, is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming primary election.
• Also on Tuesday, Central Kansas CASA will host Family Swim Night at the Wetlands Waterpark from 6:30-8:30 p.m., with snacks and drinks included. All are welcome courtesy of a Dorothy Morrison Foundation grant.
• FUEL Adult Swim Night is set for July 26. Join FUEL (formerly Barton County Young Professionals) for a summer evening of connection, laughter and aquatic fun from 7-9 p.m. at the Club West Swimming Pool, 5201 Timber Creek Road.
• The 10th annual Business Showcase, presented by Credit Union of America, will welcome teachers and staff back to school on Aug. 8 at the PAC. Businesses can reserve a space to show appreciation and support, and showcase relevant products or services. This year, after Great Bend USD 428 employees, it will be open to staff at any area school.
• The next Chamber Coffee will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 17, at Insurance Planning, 1901 12th St. The program will start at 9:30.
