Shelby Jacobs Farmer is a Leaders United member dedicated to the betterment of her community. She shares how United Way donor networks create opportunities for her connect and give back to Kansas City.
“1 in 3 Kansas Citians rely on the services of United Way of Greater Kansas City each year. But nationwide, fewer than 1 in 4 Americans take time to volunteer to help those in need in our communities. Volunteering is free, provides you with a sense of purpose, builds your sense of community connection and you can even learn new things along the way.
I recently volunteered at The Single Mom KC as part of United Way’s Seasons of Giving hosted by the #LeadersUnited network. I am proud to say I have been a member of Leaders United for more than a decade because I believe in the mission of United Way and the work of the Leaders United network. Through our collective impact, we can truly make a meaningful difference.
Prior to my career in compliance, I was involved with a number of social service agencies – many, if not all of them, United Way agencies. I worked with youth as a CASA volunteer, a “big” for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City, an adoption social worker, and at residential centers for youth in foster care, among other roles. When my career focus shifted, I knew I wanted to stay engaged in all of the good work done by social service agencies in our community.
The Leaders United network provides me with opportunities to volunteer through events such as this year’s Seasons of Giving; to assist financially with targeted giving through in-kind donation drives like the one last year for Operation Breakthrough; and to get to know other like-minded individuals who want to give back to our community. The Leaders United network has the most members of any of United Way of Greater Kansas City’s giving networks.
For anyone who wants to get more involved in Kansas City’s philanthropic community through Leaders United, please reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you! And for anyone who wants to know more about why giving is so important to me personally and why I support giving to the United Way of Greater Kansas City specifically, let’s grab coffee or a drink and talk!”
Learn more about United Way’s donor networks and how you can get involved here. If you have any questions regarding donor networks, email carol.allbritton@uwgkc.org.