BKD takes our corporate citizenship seriously. In Kansas City, Lincoln, Omaha and Wichita, we encourage our team of professionals to become involved in community and philanthropic events to strengthen our ties to our community and, at the same time, lend a hand in improving the quality of life in the community in which our employees live and work.
In Kansas City, Lincoln, Omaha and Wichita, our partners actively participate on numerous not-for-profit boards, and our staff provides leadership and education on key issues to community organizations such as:
- American Red Cross
- Arthritis Foundation
- Association for Corporate Growth
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City
- Boy Scouts
- Camp Fire Kansas City
- Downtown Council Kansas City
- Kansas City Corporate Challenge
- Jewish Family & Childrens Services
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- March of Dimes
- MS Society
- Optimist International
- Orpheum
- Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
- The Wichita Gardens, Botanica
- United Way of the Plains
- Wichita Symphony
- YMCA
- Young Audiences
- Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK)
Wichita BKD...Supporting Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas
Bill Pickert, Wichita partner in charge; Shelly Chenoweth, YEK Executive Director; Sara Blakely, CEO Spanx; and John Haigh, INVISTA
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Loud motorcycles, fast boats and shapely women were all topics of conversation during the Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK) Breakfast Biennial Series sponsored, in part, by BKD. Featured speakers included Sheldon Coleman, CEO of Big Dog Motorcycles; Pack St. Clair, CEO of Cobalt Boats; and Sara Blakely, President and CEO of Spanx, a women’s hosiery manufacturer. The speakers shared the history and development of their companies to sold-out crowds of almost 200 at each breakfast.
YEK was founded in 1991 by the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. It is a non-profit organization found in local high schools. The program is an elective class that is dedicated to providing students with business and entrepreneurial education and experiences that will help them prosper and become contributing members of society. YEK's three primary goals:
- Providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to start their own business
- Teach students how to apply entrepreneurial skills to become better employees
- Encourage student to continue on to higher education.
Kansas City Corporate Challenge
Team BKD poses for a photo after a win in the track relay at the 2004 Kansas City Corporate Challenge.
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Established in 1980, the Kansas City Corporate Challenge is an Olympic-type event that allows Kansas City corporations to compete against each other while raising money for a Kansas City-based charitable organization. During the two-month annual challenge in May and June, BKD has more than 100 employees competing in events around the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.
In 2004, more than $16,000 was contributed to the Western Missouri/Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation from the Kansas City Corporate Challenge event. Other charitable beneficiaries from previous years include: the National Kidney Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City, Missouri Valley Caring Program for Children, Rose Brooks Center and the Marillac Center for Children.
BKD Helps Clean Up After Hallam, Nebraska, Tornado
Aftermath of the Hallam tornado
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In May 2004, a massive tornado destroyed the town of Hallam, Nebraska. The tornado was 2 1/2 miles in width and led a 56-mile path of destruction. The wind speed toped out at 200 mph and reportedly damaged every structure in the town. When the winds subsided, Hallam residents found overturned cars, foundations without their homes, trains derailed; grain bins twisted like scrap metal, trees snapped in half and all of their personal belongings missing.
More than 3,000 volunteers gathered from surrounding communities to help, including BKD employees from Lincoln and Omaha. BKD management allowed employees to take one paid day to help with the relief efforts in Hallam.
Feel the Heat! BKD Takes on Wichita Corporate Challenge
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Michele Noonan, manager, “feeling the heat” in a Corporate Challenge track and field event. Michele will be the 2005 BKD team captain.
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Since 2003, when the Wichita Corporate Challenge had its running debut, BKD has participated, running head to head with other leading businesses in track and field, flag football, volleyball, baseball, golf, bowling and many more fun events. BKD continues its support of this business-to-business competition by becoming the 2005 Title Sponsor.
As the 2005 Title Sponsor of Wichita Corporate Challenge, BKD will work with the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission to bring businesses together to enhance team building within their own organizations while creating a networking opportunity with other businesses in the community.
For more information about Wichita Corporate Challenge, go to www.wichitacorporatechallenge.org or www.wichitasports.com.
