Volunteer News
Each year, the OSBC main office participates in various volunteer opportunities. In October, the Volunteer Events Committee, chaired by Sonya Allen, General Counsel, conducted the annual United Way campaign. The 2004 United Way Kick-Off began with a video presentation of the Topeka United Way organization and an oral presentation by Erma Officer, the Director of Children's Services at the Salvation Army Early Learning Center in Topeka. Ms. Officer is an advocate for young children, especially those at great risk, and she explained the importance of United Way funding in her organization. Following her presentation, pledge cards were distributed to all main office staff. The fund-raising efforts continued the following morning with a biscuits and gravy breakfast for the staff. Once again, the OSBC surpassed our fund-raising goal of $1,000, raising a total of $1,480!
In December, several OSBC employees participated in the "Adopt a Family" Christmas program, which was promoted by KMAJ, a local radio station. In this program, a group of volunteers "adopts" a family in need, collects money for gifts, buys and wraps the gifts and delivers the presents to their chosen family. This year, the OSBC "family" consisted of a single mother with two young children. The volunteers purchased a number of gifts for the family, including clothing, toys and a turkey dinner from Dillons. The program is a wonderful opportunity to bring some holiday cheer to a local family.
