Dear Chamber Supporters,
How great has it been being a Chiefs fan these past five years?? It doesn’t get much better than four Super Bowl appearances in five years. I already know we’ll be sharing memories of this decade of football with our kids one day. I remember asking my dad growing up why he was a fan while enduring losing season after losing season. But it was living through the good times that made fans… or at least that seems to be the case. You can’t throw a rock in this part of the country without hitting someone in red! Can’t help but admire those longtime fans that much more, knowing they’ve been holding out for years like these. Even if you don’t like football, hopefully you enjoy the spotlight on the KC area and the prosperity it can bring. Go Chiefs!
Kansas Day
Monday marked 147 Kansas Day celebrations since its inception in 1877. The celebration of our 34th state can be linked back to a grade school just east of us on 68 HWY over in Paola by students who wanted to learn more about the state they live in. Now, some century and a half later, we still celebrate this fine state every January 29th. Not being a Kansas native, I missed out on the grade school Kansas Day experience, but it seems to work pretty well, as adults and kids alike seem to remember dates, names, and historical facts about the state as a result of the curriculum. This knowledge is cross-generational and connects all who live and have lived in Kansas. I enjoy the idea that celebrating things in life makes life worth living that much more, and celebrating where you live is one way to do precisely that.
Keller Williams Diamond Partners
Tuesday after work, Chamber members gathered at Keller Williams Diamond Partners office at 401 S Main St. for snacks, drinks, and fellowship (After Hour pictures here). A beautiful office space if you have yet to stop in, a very open-concept working area for all KW agents. Being unfamiliar with real estate structure, I was thankful Brent Rodina was able to share how their office is made up. This looks like Keller Williams agents being independent contractors who work together as a team even though they aren’t contractually obliged. This mindset allows their clients to get the best end of all the deals made. Their hopes are whether you’re selling or buying, you’re not getting just an individual but a team of individuals with the same goal in mind… make you a happy customer.
Brent shared that most recently, 1 in 5 houses sold/purchased in Franklin County are done through this group. A significant milestone for our Keller Williams branch, a new brand in our community, but not a new brand nationally. Brent believes that KW sits in a perfect balance; they are “big enough to deliver, but small enough to care,” which makes them so effective. This means caring for their agents and ensuring they can make a living doing this work. It also means caring about the clients and giving them tools to reach their real estate goals. This is fundamentally accomplished through Keller William’s values, which are “God, family, and then business”. A glance into the mindset of this organization and how they view the individuals they interact with―you don’t work with real estate; you work with people. If you are interested in connecting with a KW agent, give them a call, stop in their downtown location or connect via social media are all great ways to start a conversation. I appreciate this group's drive to create community through housing and having fun along the way.
Big Hearts, Big Impact, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Patricia Hutton and Jeffery Jack with Franklin County Big Brothers Big Sisters hosted this morning’s Chamber Coffee (pictures here). A mentorship organization that has existed in the US for over a hundred years is taking place in our community as we speak. To start the morning off, Jeff and Patricia shared a testimonial video (see video here). You might make sure tissues are nearby as it is pretty moving. Pay attention and you’ll see one of our local superstars, Terry Chartier, who is a Big that was included in the video. There are 11 Bigs/Little combos paired at the moment, with another ten Franklin County youth waiting for a potential match in 2024. This one-on-one mentorship is to bring light to the lives of the youth, as well as to expose the potential they have through conversations and companionship. These relationships look different for every pair and formed around the abilities of the Bigs and the desires for the Littles. Differences within pairs entail how much time and how frequently they can connect, what activities they are interested in, how active or inactive they are, and where they can spend time together are a few examples.
Here is how to get started working with youth in our community through this program. There are two paths available when mentoring: Community-Based or Site-Based. Community-Based means the Big and Little meet in the community, whether at a park, at one’s house, or out at a business. While Site-Based means the Big interacts in the schools during a free period to connect. This looks like 2-4 hours a month, sometimes weekly or maybe all in one weekend. The pairing process for either path is not random, and there is a kind of science to it. These preferences are inputted through screening surveys for both parties to allow for maximum results. BBBS wants to ensure the match is solid for several reasons: one, they want their Littles to have a mentor, and two, they want the Bigs to enjoy spending time with the Littles. The best way to do that is to meet Big’s where they are and allow them to do things they might already be doing. Throughout the whole process, Bigs receive assistance from BBBS staff, whether that’s training before or support during. Check out some materials here on how this organization is changing lives. As well as an upcoming event that is worth participating in/sponsoring.
AdventHealth Ottawa Steps Up and Makes Soleful Impact
Another great program affecting youth in Franklin County is being executed by our local hospital. AdventHealth Ottawa has teamed up with a group called “Shoes That Fit”. A program that ensures kids in need have access to a quality pair of shoes and socks (flyer here). Working with elementary schools in Franklin County, school staff moved through the school to collect shoe sizes for each eligible student. On February 23rd, the shoes will be delivered! As a result, every Franklin County elementary student on free and reduced lunch will now be the owner of a name-brand pair of shoes with five pairs of socks at no cost to themselves or their family. This program is possible through the organization/execution of the hospital but is looking for corporate and individual help monetarily to make it happen. Through coordination with the Shoes That Fit organization, these shoes and socks are bought in bulk, reducing the costs of these goods. Meaning it only takes $35 to sponsor an individual child (click here on how to give). AdventHealth Ottawa is committed to ensuring every Franklin County elementary-aged student has a pair and is donating a substantial amount to make it happen. It is an incredible gesture that will have a lasting effect as shoes get passed through our community even after the first wearer grows out of them. What great news for Franklin County!
Make sure to have AHO’s After Hours on your schedule for this coming Tuesday (4-5pm). A great chance to learn more about the AdventHealth Ottawa Health Park at 9th and Main. Along with tours of the facility, refreshments will be served and an excellent time to celebrate this remodel together. Hope to see you there!
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The groundhog made his way out this morning, escaping any/all shadows! Early spring here we come. After this week’s temperatures, it feels like it started Monday. Out of curiosity, I looked up Punxsutawney Phil’s success when predicting every February 2nd―only 39% of the time has he predicted accurately (127 guesses). Not a great return… flipping a coin has better odds. But coin flips aren’t nearly this cute (Phil in all his glory). Early spring or not, we’ll be here! See you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
