Every year around this time, it seems like so many of us feel this shift throughout our schedules and contingencies as school starts back up. We start to see local college students make their way to their new home away from home, and Ottawa University and Neosho County students come back into town. Everyone starts to figure out their new routines, ultimately settling into their ‘new normal’ for the remainder of the year. Following the business of summer, it seems like, for maybe just a second, everything slows down for a minute. Then, we remember that September is up next! Easily the most eventful month of the year is right around the corner (calendar of events here).
The Chamber is extremely proud and excited to be part of the September programming, as we will host the 20th Annual Ladies Night Out. This downtown scavenger hunt takes place on the last Friday of the month, September 26th. This event has a long history in town, with hundreds of ladies participating each year for a decade or more. Even with all that tradition, our team has continued to find ways to enhance the experience for all involved. A couple of years ago, we introduced themes, and this year's theme is “denim and diamonds”. Along with their bag full of goodies, ladies can expect to receive some bling as they make their way through town.
JieJie, Sherri, and the Events and Promotions Committee are in full swing, signing up businesses and registering t-shirt preorders. If you haven’t been told this already, we want your business to participate! Whether you have a brick and mortar location or want to set up a booth at Legacy Square, where check-in takes place, everyone’s invited (click here to register). We also hope those who participate that evening will dress the part. One of the easiest ways to do that is by wearing a special edition Ladies Night Out t-shirt (view those here). Preorders for shirts and business registrations end on September 8th!
From Snacks to Success Stories: SparkWheel’s Mission in Ottawa
Our Chamber Coffee this week was hosted by SparkWheel (pictures here). Our local team is made up of two coordinators, Kania Shain and Stefani Britton, who are hosted in the Ottawa middle and high school, respectively. These two ladies are a beacon of hope for so many students in the USD290 school district, particularly for those most at risk. This looks like supporting students’ physical and emotional needs. Providing snacks, hygiene products, and school supplies is a simple way they promote their students’ success. Emotionally, they serve as a confidante, a goal setter, and a general point of contact in times of need. These two have direct access to students within the middle and high school through a partnership with USD290, having office space in both of these buildings. Without this presence in the schools, the level of support that SparkWheel would be able to offer would be drastically minimized. This face-to-face with students allows for genuine connection, real goal setting, and ultimately, positive results. As a community with such a high rate of poverty amongst our students, we’re lucky to have two individuals focused on the well-being of those in need within our schools. Along with USD290, SparkWheel is represented in sixty school districts throughout Kansas and surrounding states. Within these sixty districts, 30,000 students have gone through this program, and a shocking 92% of those students were on free/reduced lunch.
This morning’s Chamber Coffee allowed SparkWheel to share their successes but also touch on their needs as they enter this new school year. Between the two schools, hundreds of kids are touched by these Student Support Coordinators. The needs of these students vary, which is why the coaching that Kania and Stefani do is never cookie-cutter. Each student brings their own experiences, challenges, and personalities to the table. One challenge these coaches see far too often is students facing food scarcity. Because of this, every week, hundreds of snacks are given out. A morning snack for the students can help give them the fuel they need to be successful in the classroom. Sometimes the school lunch from the previous day was the last meal they had, emphasizing the necessity for an accessible breakfast option. SparkWheel believes that meeting these students’ physical needs directly correlates to their academic and personal success. However, all these supplies come at a cost, so SparkWheel encouraged those who are willing to donate. Snacks are always needed, along with school supplies like colored index cards, highlighters, tab dividers, and ear buds for testing. Whether you drop these items off at the front desk at either school or reach out to Stefani or Kania directly, they’ll make sure it makes it to the students in need. If you'd rather make a monetary donation, you can do so on their website here (click here).
Another neat program that was mentioned today was a partnership with the Ottawa Lions Club to provide glasses for students in need. Students who have vision impairments can work through SparkWheel to obtain an appointment and even get a pair of glasses (with the help of the Lions) without costing them a dime. If you have an old pair of frames you’re not using, Porter Spears and Bundy or Oslidil Insurance are two places where you can drop them off to help a student in need.
Today’s Chamber Coffee is an excellent reminder of what can be accomplished when kind hearts come together to fill a need. Though these challenges won’t be eradicated, teaching this generation that there is something better waiting for them in the future through guidance and support can change the trajectory of a student’s life. Thank you, SparkWheel, for connecting resources to our local students!
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Next week’s schedule is packed with different activities for our office! Tuesday, we have Ottawa University Fusion and the Parade of Champions taking place in downtown Ottawa. Wednesday evening is Leadership Franklin County’s Alumni Reunion (RSVP here), and Thursday and Friday, we start the 25/26 class of LFC with two back-to-back classes. I’m looking forward to all of these and hope to see you at one or more of them next week!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
