Toast of the Towns Gala

by Phil Hanson, President & CEO,
Truman Heartland Community Foundation
 

​     For 26 years, Truman Heartland Community Foundation has recognized the volunteer and philanthropic spirit in communities throughout Eastern Jackson County at the annual Toast to Our Towns Gala. This special event is a formal celebration of local philanthropy—an opportunity to recognize those individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to make our towns better places to live, work, and serve.
     We invite all those living in the area to join us on September 25 at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center for this extraordinary celebration of community service. Presented by Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Company and benefiting Truman Heartland Community Foundation, the Toast of our Towns Gala will be an evening to remember.
     The night begins at 6:00pm with a cocktail reception hosted by TruckMovers, followed by dinner. There will be a short awards program to recognize the remarkable impact of those individuals and businesses who have given so freely of their time, talent, and resources. 
     Following the program, guests will continue to celebrate our honored guests at a lively Mix, Mingle, and Music after-party, hosted by GEHA. Jim and Mary Stilley of Lee's Summit will be presented with the Heartland Humanitarians of the Year award for their steadfast dedication and advocacy for youth and adult education programs, cutting-edge medical technologies, issues of diversity and inclusion, and the science of climate change.
     Continental Siding will receive the Heartland Service Award for outstanding philanthropy to both the Independence community and their close-knit family of employees, ensuring at least some stability during a very unstable year. Local Mayors of will honor their Citizens of the Year at the event, describing how each has made a positive change in the region: Blue Springs will recognize Cindy Miller and Dale Carter, Grain Valley will recognize David Ward, Independence will recognize Karen Downey, Lake Tapawingo will recognize Tom Goddard, Lee's Summit will recognize Bob & Candy White, Oak Grove will recognize Maeghan Timothy, Raytown will recognize Stan Sagehorn, and Sugar Creek will recognize Allan Thompson.
     And finally, we will recognize the outstanding leadership of local healthcare heroes from six local hospitals who worked selflessly and tirelessly in their hospitals throughout the pandemic to keep the rest of us safe and healthy. Those being honored are Dr. Lorraine Duncan with Centerpoint Medical Center, Laura Peckham with Truman Medical Center-Lakewood, Angela Haley with St. Mary's Hospital, Dr. John Ireland with Lee's Summit Medical Center, Susie Krug with Saint Luke's East Hospital, and Amy Latimer with Children's Mercy Hospital East.
     We hope you will join us for this celebration as we honor these individuals who have made a significant difference in our community. Although their areas of impact are quite varied, they are united by a common goal, improving and enriching their local communities. 
     Truman Heartland Community Foundation is delighted to bring this in-person event back to our supporters in 2021. Like everyone else, THCF had to pivot to digital last year due to COVID. So, the opportunity to gather once again and celebrate our local communities and these very special people holds even more meaning.
     The 2021 Toast of our Towns Gala will not be a socially distanced event, and guests are advised to follow all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all our guests.
     You can learn more about the Truman Heartland Community Foundation honorees, event sponsorship opportunities, and individual tickets sales at www.THCF.org/Gala or by calling 816.836.8189.