Day: September 15, 2015

Chairman Peters announces Member Marketing/Sponsorship program   We are pleased to announce your Olathe Chamber of Commerce membership has even more value. That’s right, more bang for your buck through the Chamber’s Total Resource Campaign, an expanded marketing and sponsorship program available only to Olathe Chamber of Commerce members. Here’s how it works:   The Chamber staff and selected volunteers have put their heads together to create a menu of marketing and sponsorship opportunities that will allow you, the member, new ways to connect with the business community.   The opportunities are for the 2016 calendar year, but you can reserve your selections beginning right now! Simply visit www.ygmtrc.com/olathe. We encourage you to review the list and determine your selections as soon as possible.   The Chamber’s Total Resource Campaign also features Olathe Chamber members who have volunteered their time to reach out to fellow members with details of this new program. We are pleased and honored to have long-time Chamber member and civic leader Harlan Parker (State Farm Insurance) serving as chair of this program. He will be supported by three vice chairs: Sam Mansker, Olathe Ford Lincoln; Kathy Musgrave, retired from Olathe Public Schools; and Mike Jensen, Olathe Health Systems.   Each of the vice chairs has multiple team captains, who in turn have team members who will be reaching out to Chamber members to assist with selection of these opportunities. All told, we will have more than 100 volunteers canvassing the membership with options ranging from event title sponsorship to weekly e-flash newsletter advertising.   The Total Resource Campaign is a win-win for all involved. First, it offers our members new and effective means to market their businesses. Second, we have created a valuable networking opportunity for members to interact. And third, the Chamber as a whole will benefit from additional financial resources that will enable it to continue to create and enhance programs to advance our community.   Again, I appreciate the work of the Chamber staff and the dedication of the volunteers. I encourage you to take advantage of this great program. Should you have questions, please contact Laura Baldwin, vice president of membership and sales, at lbaldwin@olathe.org or 913-764-1050.  Best Regards, Jason Peters Chair Olathe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors  

Media Contact: Judi Reilly, 913-469-3908, jreilly@jccc.edu   JCCC’s Lace Up for Learning 5K Run-Walk raises money for scholarships OVERLAND PARK, KAN. – The third annual Lace Up for Learning 5K Run-Walk will take place Sunday, Oct. 11, at Johnson County Community College. The event, open to everyone, raises money for JCCC student scholarships. In the first two years, the event raised approximately $9,000. Lace Up for Learning 5K Run-Walk attracts people from many surrounding cities with ages ranging from under 14 to over 70 years of age. Paying it forward is what motivated Aberash Gebru to register for the upcoming event. Gebru’s four children are previous JCCC scholarship recipients. Now all of them are graduates of four-year universities. Some have graduate degrees. “I would encourage and motivate others to participate in this event to help benefit others,” Gebru said. “I work as a custodian [at JCCC] … but I could not afford to pay school expenses so the scholarships helped a lot!” The JCCC scholarships enabled Gebru’s children to experience their first two years of college with no financial pressure. Gebru said when she counts her blessing, she counts JCCC twice. Besides Gebru, JCCC President Joe Sopcich again is participating as a runner and a sponsor. He challenges others to participate, too. For each person who finishes ahead of him in the run, he will donate $1 for JCCC scholarships. The race will begin at 8 a.m. outside the college’s Fieldhouse, located next to the Student Center. The 3.2 mile course loops around the campus. The individual entry fee is $25 online through Oct.10 or at packet pickup, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Garry Gribbles Running Sports, 119th Street and Quivira Road, in Overland Park. The cost is $30 on the day of the race. Discounts exist for students and teams of two or more participants. Every runner and walker will receive a complimentary t-shirt. Free food will be available for all. The run-walk is a certified 5K course with chip timing. The top three finishers in each age group will receive medals. Registration and information is available at www.jccc.edu/laceup5k.