Synergy Services is pleased to announce that it will be holding the 31st annual Kindest Kansas Citian Award via virtual livestream on May 7 at 7 p.m.. The event will honor Jake Jacobson, the Geiger family, 20 everyday heroes in Kansas City chosen from the community, and Gracemor Elementary School as the 2021 Rita Blitt Kindest School.
The Kindest Kansas Citian event raises funds and awareness of Synergy’s anti-bullying school-based intervention program, while highlighting community leaders who inspire those around them every day.
At the heart of the event is the honoring of everyday heroes throughout the Kansas City metro. To find these everyday heroes, Synergy hosted an essay contest for children in grades K-12 to write about the kindest person they know. More than 2,000 students submitted essays, and 50 volunteers read through each and every essay. Of these, 20 heroes were selected.
Joining these folks in the spotlight are the honorary stars, Jacobson and the Geiger family. These outstanding community leaders will be inducted into the Kindness Crew for their charitable work in the community.
The Geigers are the proprietors of Geiger Ready-Mix concrete, and pride themselves on being part of the “foundation” of Kansas City. Currently on its fifth generation of family ownership, Geiger credits their close familial ties with their commitment to giving back to the community. Notably, their 100% participation in Kansas City United Way and their donation of thousands of yards of concrete for the construction of wheelchair ramps, playgrounds, and ball courts throughout the metro.
Jacobson is a former news editor at the Kansas City Star, social media manager, PR director for Children’s Mercy, and VP of Growth at Native Digital who has been on the board of dozens of local nonprofits. Jacobson earned Nonprofit Connect’s award for Emerging Volunteer of the Year in 2017, and raised more than $35,000 for Noah’s Bandage Project and the BMA with his, as he puts it, “questionable” ballroom dancing skills. He also ran three separate marathons for the Ronald McDonald House, at one point being the nation’s fifth-highest individual fundraiser for that charity.
Gracemor Elementary school welcomes more than 600 students daily. Gracemor is a Title One, diverse school. Students also find support through Synergy Services school-based programming.
The event will allow the Geigers, Jacobson, Gracemor Elementary and these 20 everyday heroes an opportunity to encourage charitable work through short pre-recorded speeches, and to invite their friends, family and colleagues to purchase sponsorships to the event to help raise funds for Synergy Services and celebrate this honor with them. This event typically raises more than $150,000 to support Synergy Services programming.
Sponsorship opportunities at the virtual event come with bonuses like wine, chef-curated charcuterie boxes, and a chance to create a 30 second ad to play during the livestream.
Synergy is a non-profit organization that works to create stronger families and safer communities, as the agency strives to overcome family violence. For more information, contact Synergy at www.synergyservices.org, or Special Events Coordinator Anne Vigliaturo at 816-505-4785 or .
