The United Way of the Flint Hills celebrated a successful fundraising campaign at the Bowyer Community Building on Thursday.
The campaign raised over $510,000 through workplace campaign, private donations and an increased emphasis on grant funds. Executive Director Daphne Mertens says increasing needs became evident as the drive developed, in large part through the mid-drive closures of Tyson Foods and Holiday Resort.
Drive chair Tagan Trahoon focused a lot of his efforts on broadening the outreach to non-traditional demographics, especially younger donors. He says those efforts went well.
Yahaira Ibarra, the marketing events coordinator at Emporia State Federal Credit Union, was named as 2025-26 drive chair.
Also, during the annual Campaign Celebration at the Bowyer Community Building on Thursday, the United Way announced name changes to its annual awards:
*The Spirit Award, renamed as the Lynn Cunningham Spirit Award to honor late board member and past drive chair Lynn Cunningham, was awarded to Emporia State University.
*The Community Impact Award, renamed as the Give Until It Feels Good to honor the late Steve Sauder and his father, Earl, was awarded to Simmons Pet Food.
