OSBC Raises Funds for Project Topeka and Relay for Life
Topeka-based OSBC employees participated in several volunteer activities. One activity employees have been taking part in for several years is the Project Topeka Community Food Drive. This drive benefits several Topeka organizations that provide assistance to those in need. As in previous years, denim was again an incentive! For every 40 ounces of food that an individual donated, they received a "Project Topeka Jeans Sticker" which gave them the right to wear jeans to the office on any day of their choice. The maximum number of stickers an individual could earn was ten which required a donation of 400 ounces of food or $50. There will be a lot of jeans seen in the office because 17,872 ounces of food was donated. This amount is the most food collected in the past four years. As part of the drive, employees competed in a paper airplane contest and an "Office Olympics" obstacle course. Pierre Sutphin, an Administrative Specialist for the Banking Division, had the best airplane and won a leather bag donated by Hillmer's Luggage Leather and Gifts. Winning the obstacle course was Courtney Bevan, an Administrative Specialist for the CML Division. She received a $20 gift certificate donated by Herman's Meat and Deli Shop. Another part of the fund-raising effort was the OSBC sixth Annual Chili Cook-off and the third Annual Bar Cookie Bake-off. Dana Hampton, Director of Corporate Activities for the Banking Division, recaptured the chili trophy she's won a few times in years past. Amy Atkinson, an examiner in the CML Division, won the Bar Cookie Bake-off with Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. Each winner received a $10 gift certificate for dry cleaning from Village Cleaners and a traveling trophy they can proudly display in their office until next year.
On June 1st and 2nd, 2007, eight OSBC employees, along with family and friends, walked in the 16th Annual Topeka/Shawnee County Relay for Life held at Hayden High School. The Relay for Life is a key fund-raising activity for the American Cancer Society. Nationwide, relays unite millions of people in thousands of communities each year to raise money to help prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from the disease. It is the largest non-profit fund-raising event in the world. For the fourth year in a row, The OSBC (Office Staff Beating Cancer) Avengers raised more than $1,500 for the cause. Group fund raisers included a burrito sale and luncheon, bake sale and the ever popular "Jeans Stickers". Team members also collected donations and sold luminaries for the luminary ceremony. This year Relay participants were sent home at midnight on June 1st because of potentially severe weather. A Relay Rally to finish fund raising events is scheduled for July 20th at the Capitol Plaza Hotel Ballroom. Team members from the OSBC were Amy Atkinson, Dedra Duran-Gray, Dana Hampton (Captain), JoAnne Minihan, Alan Rice, Judi Stork, Julie Tipton, and Robin Wilson.
