Congratulations to the Wichita YLS for being recognized for their YLS Salvation Army Toy Drive. Elisabeth M. Wilder, District Representative to the ABA for Kansas and Missouri nominated the Wichita YLS for their outreach efforts. The “Star of the Quarter” award will be presented soon at a YLS social event.

Wichita YLS Salvation Army toy drive earns star award.

Left to right: Diana Stanley (KBA YLS Delegate to ABA House), Elisabeth Wilder, and Braxton Moral (co-ABA representative of the KBA YLS board) at the ABA Midyear YLD Council meeting.

A Tradition that has lasted over twenty years…
The Wichita YLS Christmas Party and Toy Drive Involves Fundraising and Collaboration

Kristen Stinnett, Wichita YLS Board President, shared the history of the program and their process for creating a memorable event.

“I am not quite sure how the event came to be, but it is an event we put on every year. For more than twenty years, the Wichita Bar Association Young Lawyers Section has continued its proud tradition of raising money for our local Salvation Army. We reach out to all local lawyers and law firms for donations. The money assists with programming and provides Christmas gifts to those residing at the Salvation Army, specifically those using the Transitional Housing Program and the Pathway of Hope Program.”

The Transitional Housing Program helps families and single women who may have experienced a recent eviction, domestic breakup, or other housing crisis work toward stability and permanent housing. The Pathway of Hope Program provides individualized services to families with children and focuses on challenges like unemployment, unstable housing, and lack of education to work toward stability and self-sufficiency.

“The donations every year are overwhelming! After all the shopping, we almost always have money left over so we write a check to the Salvation Army for the remaining amount and present it to them at the Christmas party,” explained Kristin.

Prior to the event, the Wichita YLS Board members shop for the children and prepare care kits for the adults.  “We wrap the gifts, so it truly feels like Christmas. We then host a Christmas party at the Salvation Army and pass out the gifts to the residents. We also decorate homemade sugar cookies, and have special appearances from Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty the Snowman,” Kristen stated.

Pictured: Left to right: Emma Hockman, Kristen Stinnett, Quentin Aker, Olivia Dempsey, Taryn Gray, Austin Ohnmeis, Madison Pfalzgraf, Becca Bergkamp and Santa is Garrison Matthews.