Three brand-new groups, one that is back in the fold after a year off and 21 longstanding community partners make up the list of organizations for the 2019 Emporia Community Foundation Match Day.
Groups were announced during a special reveal event at Flinthills Mall that was heard live on KVOE and KVOE.com on Wednesday. New groups this year include the North Lyon County Veterans Memorial, Eskridge Park Association — the first Wabaunsee County group to apply, let alone make the cut — and Chase County Historical Society and Museum. Historical Society spokesman Mike Schmidt says Match Day could have a major impact on the society.
North Lyon County Veterans Memorial organizer and spokesperson Dianne Bedner-Smith says there has been a lot of progress at the site in Bushong over the last year, and Match Day could finish the fundraising for the group.
ECKAN-Lyon County is back after a year’s absence.
Community Foundation Director Becky Jeppesen says 39 different groups applied, and it was a tough call on the 25 groups that were ultimately chosen. With Match Day generating over $240,000 last year alone and over $814,000 the past five years, Jeppesen says this has become a big event for Emporia, Lyon County and surrounding counties.
Community Foundation board president Kay Lauer says Match Day’s success has attracted a wider range of interested community groups.
Match Day will happen on Veterans Day at Flinthills Mall. The Community Foundation will have a special online fundraising page dedicated to the event from midnight to midnight on Veterans Day.
2019 Match Day community partners
*Arvonia Historic Preservation Society
*Camp Alexander
*Chase Children’s Fund
*Chase County Historical Society and Museum
*ECKAN-Lyon County
*Emporia Area Habitat for Humanity
*Emporia Celebrates the Flint Hills
*Emporia Eastside Community Group
*Emporia Municipal Band
*Emporia Sertoma Club
*Eskridge Park Foundation
*Food for Students
*Friends of the Emporia Animal Shelter
Friends of the Emporia Public Library
*Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow
*Keep It A Safe Summer Taskforce
*Lyon County Crime Stoppers
*Main Street Mommas
*Military Care Packages
*North Lyon County Veterans Memorial
*North Lyon County Youth Association
*Pioneer Bluffs
*Team Schnak Strong Fund
*Wade Barrett Memorial Fund
*William Allen White Community Partnership
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}Match Day Reveal March 27 2019{/gallery}
