Dozens of adult and kid volunteers came together on November 11, 2023, to participate in Community Builders of Kansas City’s Fourth Annual Turkey Giveaway. Hosted at the Macedonia Baptist Church at 1700 East Linwood Boulevard, CBKC donated about 650 turkeys to area residents who also received Harvesters-donated meal kits containing Thanksgiving fixings as well as toiletries which included the warm and comfy Bombas socks.
CBKC was pleased to welcome Missouri State Senator Shalonn “Kiki” Curls as well as 4th District Representative and Chairman of the Jackson County Legislature, DaRon McGee, to the event. In addition to Harvesters – The Community Food Network, other community partners for the Turkey Giveaway included Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Jackson County and Total Man Community Development Corporation.
“Like most worthwhile community initiatives, it takes a village, and we are beyond grateful to these faithful partners who help make this outreach a success,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., CBKC president and CEO.
In mid-December, CBKC hosted The Soul of Santa Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony for the third year at The Shops on Blue Parkway. This inclusive, family-focused holiday event welcomed those from our underserved communities to a full day of fun including:
- The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony,
- Giveaways of cars and scholarships,
- A jam-packed Blue Parkway Breakfast the following morning with Santa letter-writing, book readings and a special Christmas gift just for the little ones.
Our thanks to The Soul of Santa for bringing its wonderful holiday event to the CBKC campus. It was a blast!
Another buzzy happening occurred at the Overlook District development. Jonathan Lyman, a 2010 Kansas City Art Institute graduate, took his interest in using art to develop communities to MO Hives KC. He did a small commission for that dynamic organization which got the attention of MO Hives fan, CBKC.
“I had been working for the non-profit, My Region Wins, founded by Carl Stafford, as vision designer,” said Lyman. “Somehow Marion (Dr. Marion Pierson, pediatrician and MO Hives president) heard I was doing art for Carl and asked if I would paint bees at its 50th & Wabash apiary.”
Admiring Lyman’s work for MO Hives, CBKC invited Lyman to create a bee mural installation at the Overlook District development. He completed it in early November, drawing the compliments of passersby.
Lyman said he has a desire to connect with not-for-profits that have within their mission capturing what it looks like to live in harmony with nature. The walking trail and landscaping planned for the Overlook District will go far to integrate nature into the development when it is completed. For now, the bees are watching and waiting.
We are excited about what is ahead. We are grateful for the support received for all that was accomplished in 2023 and wish you every good thing for 2024.