The United Way of Central Kansas honored their Pacesetter Businesses on Tuesday with a luncheon and awards hosted at the Best Western Courtyard in Great Bend. Each year, UWCK calculates the Top 15 business donors in Barton and Pawnee Counties. These totals include the Workplace Giving Campaigns, sponsorships, and volunteerism.

The Top 3 Workplace Campaigns were awarded to:

• Gold Overall-ONEOK, Inc.
• Silver Overall-Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball
• Bronze Overall-Dillons

Rounding out the Top 15 were:

“The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school.”  National Commission on Reading, 1985

United Way of Central Kansas has announced they will reduce funding to their 22 Community Partners by 30% for 2019. These cuts are a result of a goal shortfall of $40,000 for the 2019 Campaign year.

After years of reaching the annual goal by the end of January, the goal in 2018 was not reached until April.  The Board and staff reached out to donors through phone calls, appeal letters and recruited more workplace participation.  With the extra push, the goal was met, but months after the typical goal timeframe. 

Every year, the United Way of Central Kansas has to say good bye to board members, but has the opportunity to welcome new members. This year, UWCK will be losing three board members who have been instrumental to the causes that United Way supports.

Tatum Dunekack, Great Bend, has been on the board since 2013 after serving as a Campaign Co-Chair.  During her time on the board, Tatum went above and beyond by coordinating the Color Run in 2013.   She has been a fantastic part of the United Way team and her input will be missed.

Looking back over the past year UWCK is grateful for each and every member of our community who donated, participated in, or volunteered to be a part of our United Way Campaign. The success of each program that UWCK sponsors, is because of donations and sponsorships from individuals and businesses and the time that our amazing volunteers donate.