NAIA Gives
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With the NAIA Gives program, NAIA employees are encouraged to take time off during business hours to give back to the community, allowing our employees to live out the NAIA core values - Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant-leadership.
Jim Carr
Jim Carr, NAIA President, has served on the board of directors for the Police Athletic League (PAL) of KC for 18 years. PAL offers fun, interactive programs for youth and KCPD officers.
With Jim’s love for basketball and helping kids, Jim has been able to find resources that have improved the PAL Center and given new opportunities to PAL kids. We all work together as a team for PAL youth, the communities in which they live and the dedicated men and women of the Kansas City Police Department. The positive relationships formed between police officers and the community will carry far past the walls of the PAL centers.
More information about Police Athletic League (PAL) of KC :
PAL is rooted in the belief that all youth deserve the opportunity to expand their horizons and realize their full potential. From mountain biking to playing on the PAL baseball field, we offer a wide-range of activities that build the kids’ confidence, motivation and offer a positive role model. Learn more: kcpal.org.
Efrem Duran
Efrem Duran, along with his fiancé Michelle, volunteered their time to help create a short documentary for HELP Humane, a true no-kill cat and dog animal shelter in Belton, Missouri. The video tells the inspirational story of Phoenix, a cat who was saved against all odds by both Help Humane and a veterinarian at Belton Animal Clinic & Exotic Care Center. Efrem cares about giving back to the community and finds reward in knowing his hard work, through his videography and graphic design skills, positively impacts exceptional causes.
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More information about Help Humane:
HELP Humane is committed to ending the suffering and killing of homeless, abused and neglected animals by rescuing, sheltering, rehabilitating and seeking forever families for these animals and educating the public on proper pet guardianship and the importance of spaying and neutering. HELP Humane sanctuaries the animals that are deemed unadoptable, by the public, either due to the animal’s physical or psychological circumstances.. Learn more: helphumane.org.
Chesney Sallee
Chesney Sallee volunteers her time for the Midwest Innocence Project. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2018. In 2017, Chesney and her husband, Patrick, were co-chairs of their annual fundraising gala, Faces of Innocence. The annual event raised over $300,000 for the organization. Chesney remains very active with the Midwest Innocence Project. Currently, she serves on the Executive Committee and leads the Governance & Nominating Committee.
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More information about Midwest Innocence Project:
The Midwest Innocence Project’s mission is to educate about, advocate for, and obtain and support the exoneration and release of wrongfully convicted people in the Midwest. Learn more: themip.org.
Lendsey Thomson
Lendsey Thomson and his wife Alisha started fostering dogs in Oklahoma after the devastating tornado that hit Moore in 2013. Since that time, the Thomson’s have fostered nearly 200 dogs in Oklahoma City through the Bella Foundation and in Kansas City, Missouri through the Great Plains SPCA. Lendsey is pictured here with Kiko, a pit bull mix found inside a sealed plastic container with his siblings at just a few weeks old. The Thomson’s fostered Kiko first and ultimately decided to welcome him full time to their pack of two other rescue dogs. Lendsey wants you to know the rescues are full of vibrant, beautiful dogs that would love nothing more than to be saved by you!
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More information about these organizations:
The Great Plains SPCA mission is to drive change in our community through innovative programs that promote adoption, outreach and a better life for pets and the people who love them. Learn more: greatplainsspca.org.
The Bella Foundation's mission is serving as a lifeline of support, hope, and care for the people of Oklahoma and their pets. Learn more: bellaspca.org.
Lori Hemphill
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lori Hemphill has volunteered her design skills and website expertise to several small churches, helping them set up their virtual worship services. From creating custom graphics, to setting up YouTube channels, to monitoring the weekly livestreams. Lori enjoys helping these churches and other small non-profits during these unusual times. Over the years, she has donated much of her time to help her own church, Reformed Presbyterian Church of Shawnee, with their web design and publishing needs.
Leah McCormack
Leah W. McCormack, Vice President of Business Development and Eligibility Services, joined the Kansas City Civic Orchestra (KCCO) Board in the 2019-20 season in her pursuit to give back to the non-profit and art worlds. The KCCO’s solid 60-year history drove her to want to be involved.
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About Kansas City Civic Orchestra:
The Kansas City Civic Orchestra is an all-volunteer orchestra that is comprised of amateur and professional musicians with one thing in common – a love for music! Learn more: kccivic.org.
Lynn Parman
Lynn Parman serves on the Board of Governors for Missouri State University. Appointed by Governor Parson to serve a six-year term to a nine member board that has full authority to adopt all the rules and regulations for the guidance and supervision of the university. She loves that she has the opportunity to give back to her alma mater that has made such an impact on her life. Lynn has been serving in leadership roles for non-profit organizations in and around the Kansas City Area for the majority of her career.
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Board of Governors for Missouri State University:
Missouri State University is under the general control and management of the Board of Governors, which according to statutes of the state of Missouri, possesses full power and authority to adopt all needful rules and regulations for the guidance and supervision of the university. More on the board of governors: missouristate.edu/bog.
Josh Smith and Marc Plummer
Josh and Marc assembled supply and care packages in their home to give to families in need during the novel coronavirus crisis through the organization, Freedom Fire Urban Ministries. They were able to provide assistance to 8 families.
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About Freedom Fire Urban Ministries:
Freedom Fire’s mission is strengthening the young people of the inner city by equipping them to guide the community spiritually, economically and socially. More on Freedom Fire: freedomfire.org.
Paige Salveter
Paige is on the Stephanie Waterman tennis foundation board. This foundation's mission is to provide opportunities through tennis, for underserved children throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, to better themselves through a positive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, personal responsibility, character development, and leadership skills. Paige’s passion is tennis – she loves to coach, play and being on the foundation giving youth an opportunity to learn and play the long life sport of tennis.
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About the Stephanie Waterman Foundation:
More information on the Stephanie Waterman Foundation here: swftennis.org.
Dan Robinson
Dan participates in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Kansas City. Dan and his little - Michael - like to go to sporting events, play video games, and watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies.
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About Big Brothers Big Sisters KC:
STANDING TOGETHER TO DEFEND POTENTIAL
Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City works to clear the path to a child’s biggest possible future by matching them with a caring, adult mentor in a one-to-one friendship. “Bigs” help “Littles” ignite, empower and defend their potential by standing with them. Last year, 99% of the Senior Littles graduated high school, 83% reported improved self esteem and 71% reported improved grades since being matched. Learn more at bbbskc.org.
