On the evening of April 30, HandsOn Kansas State, a program of the Staley School of Leadership, hosted a celebratory event honoring this academic year’s volunteers from Staley School co-curricular programs. The event marked the culmination of National Volunteer Month, recognizing the dedicated individuals who have contributed their time and efforts to making a positive impact within the Kansas State University campus and the broader Manhattan community.
Campbell McNorton, a student coordinator for HandsOn Kansas State, warmly welcomed attendees, expressing gratitude for their commitment to service. McNorton emphasized the significance of collective action in addressing societal challenges, stating, “When we serve together, we amplify our impact and create something truly transformational.”
Throughout the evening, attendees were treated to highlights of various leadership and service programs facilitated by HandsOn Kansas State and the Staley School over the last year. Attendees reflected on the profound impact of volunteerism and pledged to continue their efforts in building a better, more connected community.
2023-24 highlights
Furniture Amnesty Day volunteers collaborated with the City of Manhattan and the Fire Department to collect and redistribute 355 pieces of donated furniture, fostering a culture of waste reduction and community support.
The Mobile Food Distributions initiative, in partnership with Harvesters of Topeka, addressed food insecurity by distributing fresh produce and essential items to 1,437 households, thanks to the dedication of 424 volunteers.
The annual MLK Day of Service brought together 89 volunteers to collaborate with eight organizations, including Goodwill, the Manhattan Emergency Shelter, and the Manhattan Crisis Center, to serve and strengthen the community.
In honor of Earth Day, HandsOn Kansas State organized a community clothing swap, diverting 500 pounds of clothing from landfills and supporting organizations such as the International Justice Mission and the USD 383 FIT Closet.
The Academic Mentors program provided invaluable support to K-8 students, with 14 mentors collectively dedicating over 800 hours to help local students excel academically.
The Staley School Service Teams sends students on domestic and international trips to provide service within communities, offered immersive experiences and empowered them to address pressing social issues and foster inclusive leadership. Students traveled to three states in the U.S. and 2 international countries.
The Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows program, inspired by Coach Bill Snyder, exemplified the spirit of service by coaching seven youth sports teams, instilling principles of teamwork and leadership in young athletes.
‘Cats Connect, facilitated meaningful connections among students, faculty, and staff, with 236 participants and 45 trained facilitators fostering relationships over the past academic year.
The K-State Regional Community visits, supported by Connected ‘Cats student interns, facilitated engagement with Kansans across nine counties, hosting 109 events and connecting with over 4,000 community members.
Wildcat Dialogues, an intercultural leadership experience, brought together more than 750 students and 95 trained facilitators for dialogue sessions aimed at fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity within the K-State community.
To thank these tremendous volunteers, they were treated to ice cream floats and an opportunity to learn about more ways they can get involved with service and engagement. Willie the Wildcat even stopped by to cheer on the volunteers! View event photos on Facebook.
For more information on opportunities for service and leadership, visit the Staley School of Leadership website.
About HandsOn Kansas State: HandsOn Kansas State, a program of the Staley School of Leadership, empowers individuals to create meaningful change through service and leadership. By connecting volunteers with opportunities to engage with their communities, HandsOn Kansas State cultivates a culture of service, compassion, and civic engagement.
