HandsOn Kansas State, a program of the Staley School of Leadership, hosted the second annual Thanks-A-Million Mixer at the end of April, honoring the 2024-25 leadership and service programs volunteers. 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.
Reed Pearman, a student coordinator for HandsOn Kansas State, welcomed attendees, expressing gratitude for their commitment to service, with an emphasis on collective action. Leadership and service program leaders Campbell McNorton, Del’Sha Roberts, Austin Drake, Tamara Bauer, and Obiribea Ofori-Bah highlighted the impact of volunteer work within our communities – some of these numbers are shared below.
Volunteers engaged with one another through a scavenger hunt, finding and meeting one another, and ultimately connecting through their shared experiences serving. The program concluded with a browsing fair showcasing more ways to get involved through Staley School programs. View photos from the event on Facebook at this link.
2024-25 highlights
We are so proud to share these stats that truly highlight the impact our volunteers have made. We hope you feel inspired and called to serve!
Furniture Amnesty Day volunteers collaborated with the City of Manhattan and the Fire Department to collect and redistribute 305 pieces of donated furniture, fostering a culture of waste reduction and community support.
Thanks to the dedication of 184 volunteers, the Mobile Food Distribution initiative, in partnership with Harvesters of Topeka, addressed food insecurity by distributing fresh produce and essential items to 1,111 households.
The annual MLK Day of Service brought together 170 volunteers to collaborate with eight organizations, including Goodwill, the Manhattan Emergency Shelter, and Be Able, to serve and strengthen the community.
HandsOn Kansas State welcomed leaders of student organizations for the first ever Service Summit in March. The summit was designed to enhance and elevate student-led service initiatives across campus and awarded eight mini-grants to attendees for a total award of $3,550.
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 two international countries.
The Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows program, inspired by Coach Bill Snyder, exemplified the spirit of service by coaching seven local youth sports teams, instilling principles of teamwork and leadership in young athletes.
‘Cats Connect facilitated meaningful connections among students, faculty, and staff. This year, the program surpassed 1,000 total participants since its arrival on campus in 2022. This academic year, ‘Cats Connect hosted 252 participants and 43 trained facilitators who took time to foster relationships through questions and answers.
Wildcat Dialogues, an intercultural leadership experience, brought together more than 1,116 students and 144 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 Call Hall 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!
Are you ready to get involved with leadership and service opportunities? Visit our website to see a wide variety of service opportunities that offer personal growth, make community impact, and have varying time commitments to fit your schedule.
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.
