The Unified Government honored over 125 volunteers who contributed to various departments and agencies within Wyandotte County and Kansas City Kansas with a special appreciation breakfast held Tri., Dec. 9.
The volunteers were recognized for service from three months to 25 years. In all, more than 274,000 volunteer hours were recorded this year for over a dozen agencies and departments including Area Agency on Aging, the Mayor’s office, and Village intative.
Mayor Tyrone Garner expressed his gratitude for the volunteers dedication.
“Volunteerism is at the heart of what it means to put service of another above oneself. It is the ultimate gesture of compassion, unity, and love- all are necessary to build stronger and more resilient communities,” he said.
Special recognition was given to UG volunteer Wonderous Burns, the longest serving UG volunteer. Burns began volunteering with the UG 25 years ago, just after the consolidation of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS into the Unified Government.
She began by volunteering for the UG’s first mayor, Carol Marinovich.
Before she began volunteering for the UG, she volunteered for many years with Governor Cuomo’s office in New York.
Asked about her motivation for volunteering, Burns said she has a need to volunteer, plus it helps keep her “from deteriorating.”
“Along with helping others and seeing there is a need to get things done”,” said Burns. “We need people with an interest to put in the work rather than those who just talk and show up.”
The Unified Government is constantly searching for passionate and dedicated volunteers that share the common goal of wanting to make a positive impact in the community. For more information on volunteering with the UG, go here:
