On October 22, more than two-hundred KCP&L employees, community leaders and Scouting volunteers made their way to the downtown Kansas City Marriott Muehlebach for the 2014 Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner. The annual event honors an individual or company in the Kansas City area for their commitment to making our neighborhoods better places to live and work.
This year's dinner recognized the employees of Kansas City Power & Light with the Corporate Good Scout Award, an award which highlights the company's efforts in positively influencing the young people in our communities. KCP&L has partnered with the Heart of America Council on many projects throughout the years, dedicating dollars for programs and capital improvements, materials, printing, leadership and hundreds of hours of volunteerism.
This fall, KCP&L launched its own Exploring Post. “The KCP&L Exploring Post is for students who want to know more about a variety of STEM careers associated with Energy,” said Sarah Whitman, KCP&L Manager of Technical Training. “Safe, reliable and affordable energy is fundamental to modern life and electricity is vital to all aspects of our economy. Participants in the KCP&L Post will discover how to prepare for a well-paying, rewarding career that benefits millions of people every day.“
KCP&L employees have also dedicated hundreds of hours and their own money over the years to expand and improve council camps and facilities. Line extensions and capital improvements at the H. Roe Bartle and Theodore Naish Scout Reservations valued at over $200,000 have improved the Scouting experience for thousands of young people. KCP&L’s print shop has also provided an array of publications throughout the years while the KCP&L sawmill has provided lumber for several campsite pavilions.
The Corporate Good Scout Award was accepted on behalf of all KCP&L employees by Terry Bassham, Chairman, President and CEO of Great Plains Energy and KCP&L. The event was chaired by Tom Freeman, Managing Director - Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services Inc., and Mike Thompson, Fox 4 Chief Meteorologist, served as emcee.
This year’s event raised more than $350,000 with proceeds benefiting the council’s Scoutreach program, a program that brings the values and life skills of Scouting to young people in Kansas City’s urban core. Also featured at this year’s dinner was the presentation of two $10,000 college scholarships to Eagle Scouts who have been served by the Scoutreach program.
