Our History

For over 100 years, United Way of the Plains has helped the people of south central Kansas thrive.

For 100 years, we’ve been harnessing the caring power of our community to help our neighbors reach their potential. We’ve united the community. Mobilized resources. Created lasting change. We’ve kept a pulse on the most pressing needs of our neighbors. And as those needs have changed, so have we.

1887: THE UNITED WAY MOVEMENT BEGINS

The United Way movement began in 1887 in Denver, Colo., when religious leaders founded the Charity Organizations Society which planned and coordinated local services and conducted a single fundraising campaign for 22 agencies. In 1913, the nation’s first modern Community Chest was born in Cleveland where a program for allocating campaign funds was developed.

1919: COMMUNITY CHESTS

From 1919 to 1929, communities across America began establishing Community Chests which would later be known as United Funds and now United Ways.

AUG. 7, 1922: UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS IS FORMED

A group of community leaders gathered to a sign a letter in support of the formation of a new kind of service organization in Wichita, patterned after similar groups forming throughout the nation. The letter was directed to the Wichita Board of Commerce, the predecessor of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce.

This organization would help those in need by coordinating the efforts of social agencies and private contributors “to eliminate such social conditions as tend to create dependency, delinquency and defectiveness….by promoting cooperation, efficiency and economy.”

This simple, yet visionary act marked the beginning of the Wichita Community Chest.

1943 - 1946: COMMUNITY WAR CHEST

The name was temporarily changed to Community War Chest from 1943 to 1946. The red feather was then adopted as a symbol of member agencies. Workplace fundraisers were often referred to as Red Feather campaigns.

1951: GLEN CAMPBELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Glen Campbell served as the executive director from 1951 to 1952.

1953: CLAUDE SCOTT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Claude Scott served as the executive director from 1953 to 1976.

1957: NEW NAME

Organization name changes to United Fund of Wichita and Sedgwick County.

1975: NEW NAME

Organization name changes to United Way of Wichita & Sedgwick County.

1977: MARGO RAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Margo Ray served as the executive director from 1977 to 1979.

1980: JOHN RUSH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

John Rush served as executive director from 1980 to 1984.

1985: PATRICK J. HANRAHAN, PRESIDENT & CEO

Patrick J. Hanrahan served as the President & CEO from 1985 to 2020.

1987: NEW NAME

A new name, United Way of the Plains, is announced in 1987.

1997: NEW LOCATION

United Way moves into its current location at 245 N. Water St. as part of its 75th anniversary.

2005: NEW LOGO

United Way introduces a new logo.

2020: PETER F. NAJERA

Pete Najera has served as the United Way President and CEO since 2020.

100 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP

We are grateful to the distinguished group of community individuals who have chaired our board of directors during our first 100 years, lending their strategic guidance to steer the direction of our organization.

1923 – Harry W. Stanley
1924 – C. M. Jackman
1925 – Gifford M. Booth
1926 – L. W. Clapp
1927 – L. W. Clapp
1928 – Robert Foulston
1929 – Harry Dockum
1930 – L. O. Ripley
1931 – Earl W. Evans
1932 – L. O. Ripley
1933 – C. J. Chandler
1934 – Mrs. J. E. O’Donnell
1935 – A. J. Cleary
1936 – Sam Wallingford
1937 – Harry D. Cottman
1938 – Paul H. White
1939 – A. R. Ohmart
1940 – Rev. Samuel West
1941 – Ken Fitch
1942 – C. J. Chandler
1943 – C. J. Chandler
1944 – R. S. Millar
1945 – R. S. Millar
1946 – M. E. Garrison
1947 – M. E. Garrison
1948 – Elmer Moore
1949 – Paul Foley
1950 – George Siefkin
1951 – Harry Corbin
1952 – Sidney Brick
1953 – Lance Coffey
1954 – Paul Roberts
1955 – Gordon W. Evans
1956 – Roy C. Russell, Sr.
1957 – O. A. Sutton
1958 – Olive Ann Beech
1959 – Walter Schimmel
1960 – Max H. Miller
1961 – Fred M. Kimball
1962 – Don W. Pray
1963 – J. T. Koelling
1964 – Ben M. Wheat
1965 – Owen C. McEwen
1966 – A. Dwight Button
1967 – S. O. Beren
1968 – Paul H. Woods
1969 – Harry F. Scribner
1970 – Robert L. Cory
1971 – Glen L. Montague
1972 – Jordan Haines
1973 – Will Price, Jr.
1974 – Ralph Fiebach
1975 – Fred F. Berry, Jr.
1976 – Harold L. Walton
1977 – B. N. Lancaster
1978 – G. Robert Gadberry
1979 – William A. Boettger
1980 – E. A. Jarvis
1981 – Richard D. Hite
1982 – Duane J. Buckley
1983 – Linwood B. Sexton
1984 – C. James Mans
1985 – H. Marvin Bastian
1986 – Arnold D. Gray
1987 – William B. Bunten
1988 – Larry E. Soice
1989 – Richard D. Smith
1990 – R. Joe Aleshire
1991 – R. Joe Aleshire
1992 – Alan L. Rupe
1993 – Jim Biltz
1994 – Cheri M. Updegraff
1995 – K. Gordon Greer
1996 – Steven A. Houlik
1997 – Gregg L. Lesh
1998 – Robert J. O’Brien
1999 – LeRoy E. Rheault
2000 – Marlon Dauner
2001 – Eric F. Melgren
2002 – Bernie Zalaznik
2003 – David L. Strohm
2004 – Marilyn Richwine
2005 – S. Edwards Dismuke, M.D.
2006 – Arnold Hudspeth
2007 – Thomas R. Docking
2008 – Thomas R. Docking
2009 – Patricia M. Dengler
2010 – Steven J. Martens
2011 – Stuart Ray
2012 – Gloria Farha Flentje
2013 – Rhonda Dennis
2014 – Paul S. Allen
2015 – John F. O’Leary
2016 – John F. O’Leary
2017 – Richard Kerschen
2018 – Richard Kerschen
2019 – Angel Gomez
2020 – Ginger Farney
2021 – Steve Dixon
2022 – Jodi Noah

QUESTIONS?

Learn more about what we do, check our Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us today at (316) 267‑1321.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS