Challenge encourages employer-supported volunteering

Three Kansas employers have been announced as winners of the Give Back Kansas Challenge.

Businesses participating in this year’s challenge were placed into three categories based upon the number of employees they had – small, medium and large. This year’s winners are:

• Small organization: United Way of Greater Topeka, Topeka.
• Medium organization: TGC Group, Wichita.
• Large organization: Moundridge Manor Inc., Moundridge.

Ten Kansas employers participated in the second annual Give Back Kansas Challenge, which is hosted by the Kansas Volunteer Commission and Volunteer Kansas.

The challenge ran from April 18-June 10, 2022, with the purpose of engaging Kansans in employer-supported volunteering. Collectively, nearly 2,956 volunteer hours were completed at various organizations across Kansas by 790 employees, for an average of 3.74 volunteer hours per employee participant.

“Volunteer Kansas’ goal for the challenge was to have at least 10 businesses participate, giving back to their communities in service,” said Nola Brown, executive director of Volunteer Kansas. “We are pleased that goal was met and look forward to increasing participation next year. The challenge is a quadruple win. The employees who participate reaped the personal reward of helping others; the businesses are better known in their communities for corporate caring; multiple organizations benefitted from the helping hands of volunteers; and three charities will receive grants to help them achieve their missions.”

Each of the organizations designated a charity to receive a $1,000 grant - on their behalf - from Volunteer Kansas. The United Way of Greater Topeka and Moundridge Manor Inc. will accept the donation as a nonprofit organization and plan to utilize the donation within their respective service areas. TGC Group has selected Sunlight Children’s Services as its charity of choice.

“Although the Challenge has concluded, the Commission encourages participating employers to maintain their high commitment to volunteerism”, said Jessica Dorsey, executive director of the Kansas Volunteer Commission. “Research of employer volunteer programs has shown a positive impact on employee engagement, organizational commitment, job satisfaction and retention.”

###

The Kansas Volunteer Commission is a program of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). The mission of the Kansas Volunteer Commission is to empower all Kansans to meet community needs through service. The Commission's primary role is to provide resources and leadership to support local initiatives that tackle community needs. As the state service commission, the Commission directs effective national service programs, provides volunteer management training opportunities and supports the work of Mentor Kansas. For more information, visit www.kanserve.org.

Volunteer Kansas Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity based in Wichita. The organization’s website, www.Volunteerkansas.org, is devoted to increasing volunteerism in the state of Kansas. The website is a free service to individuals and nonprofits.