Cowley County
United, we’re powering lasting change in Cowley County.
United Way fights for the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of all. Watch this year’s campaign video or read the brochure to see how you have the power to create positive and permanent change in Cowley County when you donate to United Way.
Donate Now
Give today at your workplace through payroll deduction or online at unitedwayplains.org/cowleydonate.
If you would like to host a meeting with your employees to learn more about what United Way is doing in Cowley County, please contact Gwen Kochman, Director of Philanthropy, at gkochman@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267‑1321.
UNITED WAY’S IMPACT IN COWLEY
Last year, United Way of the Plains…
- helped Cowley County residents 20,800+ times.
- saved Cowley County nonprofits $80,121 through the United Way Give Items of Value Warehouse. The warehouse accepts donated products and furnishings from companies and offers them for free to nonprofits, helping them keep their expenses down.
- connected Cowley County residents to help 690 times through United Way’s 211 Information and Referral service. United Way 211 connects Kansans to community resources to meet their needs for food, rent, shelter, medical care, workforce services and more.
- helped 403 households file their taxes for free through the VITA Tax Prep Program. The program helped Cowley residents access tax credits worth more than $500,000.
- saved Cowley residents more than $32,000 on prescription medication costs through the SingleCare program.
FUNDED AGENCIES IN COWLEY COUNTY
Effective Jan. 1, 2021 – Dec. 31, 2021.
Angels in the Attic, Inc. – $10,000
Big Brothers/Big Sisters – $5,833
CASA of Cowley County – $8,333
Eagle Nest – $6,667
Elevate Cowley County – $2,917
Family Life Services – $6,667
Habitat for Humanity of Arkansas City – $3,958
Winfield Area Habitat for Humanity – $3,958
Joseph’s Storehouse – $10,000
Winfield Community Helping Hands – $10,000
Winfield Community Food Pantry – $6,667
2021 COWLEY COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL
This council will assist the United Way of the Plains board of directors in determining funding of nonprofit programs in Cowley County.
Alice Bendinelli
Associate Professor of English, Southwestern College
Winfield, KS
Carol Hearne
Retired SVP, Union State Bank
Arkansas City, KS
Mary Jarvis
Retired Social Worker
Winfield, KS
Chris Johnson
Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway
Arkansas City, KS
Joe Langley
Wealth Advisor, RCB Bank
Winfield, KS
Becky Long
Realtor, Albright Realty
Winfield, KS
Ryan Meyer
Senior VP of Marketing and Procurement, Creekstone Farms Premium Beef
Winfield, KS
Jesse Morris
SVP/Assistant CFO, Union State Bank
Winfield, KS
Blanche Schmidt
Owner, Schmidt Jewelry
Arkansas City, KS
Aaron Sutton
Injury Prevention/Trauma Outreach, Wesley Trauma Services
Winfield, KS
Sarah Werner
CEO, Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Winfield, KS
Emilee Wilke
Coordinator, REACH Infant Toddler Services
Winfield, KS
Karen Zeller
Community Volunteer
Arkansas City, KS
COWLEY COUNTY UNITED WAY MERGER
On December 1, 2019, Cowley County United Way merged with United Way of the Plains. The Cowley County board members initiated the merger to improve its ability to meet Cowley County needs.
- Cowley County representative on the United Way of the Plains board of directors: Jesse Morris, SVP/Assistant CFO, Union State Bank
- Cowley County Advisory Council: residents of Cowley County help determine funding of nonprofit programs in Cowley County (see list below)
- Funds raised in Cowley County: reserved to support nonprofit programs in Cowley County
“Cowley County United Way is excited for the merger with United Way of the Plains and what that will mean for our local agencies and Cowley County as a whole.”
ELAINE PHILLIPS
2019 Cowley County United Way Board Chair
Trust Administrator at RCB Bank
Arkansas City
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. If I give to the United Way campaign in Cowley County, will my donations go to support only Cowley County programs?
A. Yes. Donations given in Cowley County will be designated to Cowley County programs.
Q. Will Cowley County residents be involved with distributing funds to local programs?
A. Yes. The Cowley County Advisory Council will review requests and assist in determining funding for Cowley County nonprofit agencies.
Q. How is Cowley County represented on the United Way of the Plains board of directors?
A. A resident of Cowley County is a member of the board of directors. View our current board of directors.
QUESTIONS?
Abel Frederic
Vice President of Community Impact
afrederic@unitedwayplains.org
(316) 267-1321 ext. 4211
Contact for questions regarding health programming.
Heather Crump
Community Impact Manager for Education
hcrump@unitedwayplains.org
(316) 267-1321 ext. 4234
Michelle Presnell
Community Impact Manager for Financial Stability
mpresnell@unitedwayplains.org
(316) 267-1321 ext. 4232
Matt Lowe
Community Impact Manager for Basic Needs
mlowe@unitedwayplains.org
(316) 267-1321 ext. 4233