SOS Inc. has launched the 12th iteration of its annual SOS Strong campaign; however, this year’s contingent looks a bit different than those in years past.
Originally founded as an opportunity to both fundraise for the local advocacy agency and dispell the myth that men can only be perpetrators of sexual assault or domestic violence, the previous 11 lists of SOS Strong ambassadors were made up entirely of men. This year, however, SOS has chosen to diversify the contingent to include both men and women with 14 total participants.
SOS Executive Director Mickey Edwards says that the original purpose of the campaign was an admirable and needed one; however, times have changed since the first iteration in 2014 and the SOS Board felt it was time to change with them.
As always, each ambassador will be charged with raising at least $1,000 for the agency. Edwards says the dollars raised by SOS Strong, in addition to other fundraising ventures, play a pivotal role in maintaining the agency’s standard of service.
In addition to the efforts of each of the ambassadors, this year’s campaign will also be bolstered by a matching donation of up to $5,000 thanks to Tamir and Kat Zuckerman. The SOS Strong Campaign, which kicked off Tuesday will run through August 14th.
For more information on how you can support the campaign, visit SOSKansas.com/SOS-Strong. The list of ambassadors is as follows:
Verlin Conkle
Amber Jewel
Dallas Larson
Justin Ogleby
Hank Osterhout
Rebecca Rodriguez-Carey
John Sandstrom
Miles Shirk
Kurt Steinkuhler
Brett Stewart
Brent Thomas
Dominick Vortherms
Janine Wagner
Scott Wichael
