Contact Us - Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project

Thank You! (09-03-06) to those in the Glen Elder and Cawker City communities who donated 1,200 books during our most recent book drive. These books were distributed to over 500 grade school children whose families are in need--many of which who had no books in their homes.

Thank You! (07-05-05) to those in the Glen Elder, Cawker City communities who donated 200 pounds of infant, children's, women's clothing and 500+ books which were given to Operation Breakthrough, KCMO.

Thank You! (05-31-05) to those in the Glen Elder, Cawker City and Downs communities who donated 450 pounds of infant, children's, women's clothing and 175 books which were given to Operation Breakthrough, KCMO.

Thank You! (03-01-05) to those in the Glen Elder, Cawker City and Downs communities who donated 375 pounds of infant, children's, women's and men's clothing and 300 books which were given to Operation Breakthrough, Safe Home and the Lutheran Homeless Center in the KC metro area.

Thank You! (12-17-04)to all of you in the Beloit, Cawker City, Downs and Glen Elder communities who contributed dollars for meat products donated to Operation Breakthrough...and Special Thanks to Basco's Market & Klema Quality Meats for your processing, packaging & personal donations. 250# of beef & pork products were purchased & delivered to Operation Breakthrough on December 17, 2004

Thank You! (08-16-04) & (09-07-04) Cawker City, Glen Elder & Beloit Communities for two 500 pound loads of infant, children's, women's and men's clothing, and several boxes of toys... all in washed, sorted and all in great condition. Deliveries of these items were appropriately delivered to Operation Breakthrough and Lutheran Homeless Center, downtown KCMO.

Thank You! (07-08-04) (Read > Full Length Story...See Photos! Thanks to the 10, 9th graders and 3 adults who accompanied you in representing the St. John's School, Beloit, CYO organization....the hands-on charity work that you did at the Our Lady of Unity Catholic School in Kansas City, KS and at Operation Breakthrough, Kansas City, MO (July 5-7) was greatly appreciated. A round of applause to you --- for being such a classy and respectable group while representing your CYO, school, congregation, community and the Solomon Valley.

Thank You! (07-07-04) (Read > Full Length Story...See Photos! Thank You St. John's School, Beloit, for the over 1,000 books, nice toys, clothing and other items that you collected for the Supporting Hands Project in conjunction with the Will To Succeed Foundation. Your donation has been delivered to Operation Breakthrough, with a portion also delivered to Our Lady of Unity Catholic School in Kansas City, KS by the St. John's CYO group who recently did charity work in the KC area. A personal Thank You letter from the Shields Family and the Foundation Board has been sent to your school in appreciation of your student's hard work and your parish's generosity.

Thank You! (07-06-04) Glen Elder Christian Church for the many clothing items items that you provided to the Supporting Hands Project. Those in need at Operation Breakthrough and the KC downtown Lutheran Homeless Shelter reaped the benefits of your generosity! A personal Thank You letter from the Shields Family and the Foundation Board will soon be sent to your congregation for your support and thoughtfulness.

Thank You! (06-04-04) Omicron Epsilon Sorority for the many food items you provided the Supporting Hands Project. Those food stuffs have been delivered to and received with smiles and hungry mouths at Operation Breakthrough. A personal Thank You letter from the Shields Family and the Foundation Board has been sent to your organization in appreciation for your support and thoughtfulness.

Thank You! (06-04-04) Beloit Heartbeat Pregnancy Center for the many new-born and toddler items that you provided to the Supporting Hands Project. Several mothers at Operation Breakthrough appreciated your generosity! A personal Thank You letter from the Shields Family and the Foundation Board has been sent to your operation in appreciation for your support and thoughtfulness.

Thank You! (06-03-04) Glen Elder & Cawker City Methodist Churches for the 800 lbs+ clothing that you provided to the Supporting Hands Project. A large portion of the children's and women's clothing were directed by the Will to Succeed Foundation to Operation Breakthrough. Likewise, all men's clothing and some women's clothing were directed to the Lutheran Homeless shelter in downtown Kansas City. Please trust that ALL these items were welcomed with open and thankful arms and hearts! A personal Thank You letter from the Shields Family and the Foundation Board will has been sent to your congregation(s) in appreciation for this and your ongoing support.

Library News (04-22-04) The book collection activity for the Will to Succeed foundation ended with an approximate 500 books. About 150 children’s books and 150 Adult books, mostly paperbacks, had been donated when Donnie Coffield told his mother, Gail, he would like to donate nearly all of his book collection to these children, so they could have a book of their own. Donnie then donated nearly 200 books in like new condition to the project. Anyone wishing to still donate books to the Foundation may leave them with Marlene German at Glen Elder as they are still taking pickup loads of items to Kansas City for Operation Breakthrough.

Thank You! Cawker City Library for the 500+ books you contributed to Operation Breakthrough in care of the Will to Succeed Foundation. A personal Thank You letter from the Shields Family and the Foundation Board has been sent to you and your patrons for your ongoing support!

I address this letter to everyone in the Solomon Valley related communities who have so generously supported and continue to support the Will To Succeed Foundation.

It is important that our family and the Foundation board publicly acknowledge the ongoing actions of giving demonstrated through many individuals, as well as your area’s Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project …giving that directly supports many of our initiatives in helping those living in the Kansas City metropolitan area who are less fortunate and/or living in poverty.

For the past several months, and even year’s prior, your generosity has been exemplary—a model for others. You have collected and given us thousands of children’s books, hundreds of pounds of clothing, hundreds of dollars, boxes of toys, food supplies, bedding and more. Please know that we have directly, in a timely manner, placed those goods in the hands of those who need them the most, and/or supported associated organizations and projects.

And this is not all! Astonishingly, we understand that your efforts are ongoing and that additional donations associated with our initiatives and “wish list” will be arriving in the upcoming weeks and months. Words simply cannot express our feelings of gratitude. The continued generosity from the Solomon Valley area, so far removed from our metropolitan needs, is truly amazing to us all at the Foundation. Your actions obviously represent the love, caring and hard work that exists in the rural Kansas, as well as rural America. On behalf of our family and the Will To Succeed Foundation, again, thank you!

THANK YOU! (04-12-04) Cawker City church's women's groups (Baptist, Catholic & Methodist) for the $500 you contributed to the Will to Succeed Foundation.--- Just prior to your donation’s arrival, the Foundation announced plans to improve reading proficiency levels in middle school aged children attending Operation Breakthrough. Recent test scores reveal that about 98% of the approximately 300 children tested at the facility are reading far below grade level. To remedy this problem, the Foundation will provide the means, materials and opportunity for these children to improve their reading proficiency. This will be done through the special purchase of age appropriate books and computer resources. Your $500 donation will be directly applied to this project! A personal Thank You letter from the Shields Family and the Foundation Board has been sent to your respective women's groups for your hard work and generous dontation!

THANK YOU! (04-10-04) ...to the many numerous citizens of Glen Elder for the many boxes of clothing you have personally donated. The Shields Family and the Foundation Board appreciates your support!

THANK YOU! (03-17-04) Cawker City Easter Star for the $50 you contributed to Operation Breakthrough in care of the Will to Succeed Foundation. A personal Thank You letter from the Shields Family and the Foundation Board has been sent to you and your members for your support!

1000 Books Donated (03-10-04)

St. John's students, along with many people in the Beloit area, have donated over 1000 books for the Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project. This is a newly created charitable action associated with Kansas City Chief, Will Shields. St. John's is sponsoring a "Book" Drive and are pleased with the results thus far. Collecting over 1000 books in a few short weeks is truly amazing!

Mrs. Kresin, St. John's grade school librarian and reading remedial teacher, is coordinating this project. She has explained to the students how these books will go to children that have very few books of their own, if any. She says many parents have told her their children have taken great pride in this project. They have carefully gone through their books and toys and have personally selected the ones they feel other kids will enjoy. She says it's heartwarming to see these kids so eager to help the less fortunate, and to be willing to share their most personal treasures. We are all benefiting from this project!

With the "Book" Drive being so successful, St. John's is asking for other items to be donated. These items include toys, school supplies, toiletries, all clothing, and non-perishable food items. This is an on-going project so feel free to bring these items to St. John's Grade School at your convenience. Information about this project can be found on the Supporting Hands Project website: www.supportinghands.com

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LIBRARY TO COLLECT BOOKS FOR THE WILL SHIELDS FOUNDATION

Library To Collect Books For The Will Shields Foundation (02-22-04)

The Cawker City Library is again sponsoring a book collection for Will Shields’, “Will to Succeed” Foundation located in Kansas City.

Books donated to the Foundation are distributed to children and low income families through shelters, medical clinics and other outlets.

Books for young children and teens are desired. As well, books suitable for adults including fiction, nonfiction and self-help are also wanted. Books should be new or, if used, in good condition.

Last year Cawker City collected over 500 books for the “Will to Succeed” Foundation and they hope to send as many again this year.

The books will be delivered to the Foundation free of charge by means of the recently established Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project.

Residents of Cawker and Glen Elder have also been collecting good, used clothing and other items that are needed at “Operation Breakthrough” and other supported Foundation organizations. News articles of these charitable efforts have recently appeared in the Ledger.

A complete list of needed articles is available at the library as are names of those who can provide additional information. The list is also available on the Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project website: www.supportinghands.com

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children.

St. John’s Schools K-12 are willing to jump on board and help the newly crated Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project that has been initiated in the area. Mr. Konda, St. John’s Grade School principal, feels that this will be very inspirational as well as a learning experience for the students to be involved in. The junior high and high school students are already performing Corporal Works of Mercy Service hours in connection with their religion courses. The Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project provides another opportunity for the students to participate in charitable actions.

St. John’s Schools would like to begin their efforts in helping this project with a “book” drive. They are asking for new or gently used books for youngsters ages birth to 15,which will be given to children, classrooms and libraries in need. Adult fiction, nonfiction and self-help books are also needed to be placed in clinics and shelters. Resource books and any school text books can also be helpful. Any one having books they would like to donate can drop them off at St. John’s Grade School. There will also be a drop-off place located by the front door of the final home basketball game at St. John’s High School February 20.

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Kresin at St. John’s Grade School (785) 738-3941, or e-mail at: skresinsjgs@hotmail.com

The Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project is a newly created charitable action associated with Kansas City Chief Will Shields’ Will to Succeed Foundation. It is the inaugural organization to participate in the Foundation’s budding “Special Teams Program.”

“Being the first to be involved with our Special Teams Program, we are hoping that the project will be a model for others to follow,” stated Shields. “My wife, Senia, and I are amazed at their continued generosity and caring since my visit there a few years ago.”

Mr. Shields also commented, “It's also important to take care of those in one’s backyard first.” His point being if there is a family or individual in the Solomon Valley vicinity that can benefit from goods collected, those people should be identified and assisted first!

The framework for this endeavor involves individuals, families, organizations, schools, churches and communities. The charitable project was initiated because of a growing, interest in assisting those less fortunate.

Created in 1993, the “Will To Succeed” Foundation was established to inspire, guide, and improve the lives of abused, battered and neglected women and children. The Foundation gives direct assistance to individuals and other organizations and agencies that provide aid. The Foundation also offers nurturing experiences and personal opportunities to those in the inner city with need.

Foundation spokesperson Greg German states that the budding “Special Teams Program” provides organizations looking for charitable projects an established strategy with links to identified outlets. The program provides a point of initiation for charitable actions.

Some of the outlets in the Kansas City area include: Operation Breakthrough, Marillac Center SafeHome, El Centro, Niles Home for Children, Keys Youth Services, and others.

Items sought for the Supporting Hands Project include: clothing, toiletries, diapers, toys, books, school supplies and educational tools, blankets, bedding and a host of other items. Monetary donations are also acceptable. Used items should be in good, clean condition. Community drop-off points for donated items are being established and will soon be announced.

If you or your group is interested in becoming involved with the project in some capacity, or if you have items that you would like to donate, please contact one of the following area project coordinators:

In Glen Elder, Marlene German (785) 545-3472. In Cawker City, Linda Clover (785)781-4470 or Margaret Pahls (785) 781-4734. Greg German, Will to Succeed Foundation contact, can be e-mailed at: ggerman9@aol.com. Additional local project leaders will soon be announced.

Information about the Project, details about charitable outlets and an updated list of local coordinators and organizations active in the project are provided on the Supporting Hands Project website: www.supportinghands.com

Donations To “Will To Succeed” Foundation & Operation Breakthrough Are Appreciated (01-08-04)

The caring and giving spirit of many individuals in Cawker City, Glen Elder and Tipton was very evident the two weeks prior to Christmas. Clothing, food, bedding, toys, books and special Christmas gifts, literally two overflowing pickup loads, have been delivered in behalf of Will Shields “Will to Succeed Foundation” to St. Vincent’s, “Operation Breakthrough” program in Kansas City, MO.

Operation Breakthrough is a not-for-profit corporation that began in 1971. It’s mission is to help children living in poverty attain their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment. Operation Breakthrough also strives to support and empower the children’s families through advocacy, referral services and emergency aid.

Each day, Operation Breakthrough cares for more than 450 children, ages 6 weeks to 14 years. Only 2% of the enrolled families live above federal poverty guidelines. About 25% of the children come from homeless or battered women's shelters. About 25% come from foster homes. The rest live primarily with single mothers who struggle to support them on annual earnings that are often not more than $10,000.

Many will recall that Kansas City Chief, All-pro, offensive guard, Will Shields, visited the Cawker City and Glen Elder schools two years ago. He spoke in many classrooms and addressed those attending the Athletic Banquet. His message included the importance of education and making the effort to help those who are less fortunate. At that time, the students of Waconda East and local citizens contributed over 5,000 books to Mr. Shields’ “Will to Succeed” Foundation, of which he was extremely grateful. The books were distributed to hundreds of children and families who cannot afford books and to some very financially distressed schools in the inner city. Since Mr. Shields’ visit, several hundred book donations from the area have continued to make their way through his Foundation.

Established in 1993 by Will & Senia Shields, the “Will to Succeed” Foundation seeks to guide, inspire and improve the lives of abused and neglected women and children. Numerous programs funded by the Foundation provide direct resources in addition to educational tools, opportunities and nurturing experiences to inner-city children and women who have little access to other assistance. The Foundation is especially attentive to the needs of St. Vincent’s, “Operation Breakthrough” and is one of their largest benefactors.

Most recently, there has been renewed interest by many in the Waconda Lake vicinity toward contributing to these very worthy organizations. “It’s amazing how people out in that area continue to support the Foundation. It’s really appreciated. It’s awesome,” Will Shields told Greg German, former resident of Glen Elder.

Astonished upon hearing that approximately 1000 books, over 500 pounds of clothing, shoes, coats, stocking caps and blankets, and 50 pounds of meat had been donated by Waconda area residents and delivered to Operation Breakthrough, Senia Shields said: “That’s incredible!” and extended a very, heartfelt thank you to those who contributed.

“The past two week’s donations are graciously appreciated and very timely,” Operation Breakthrough, co-director, Sister Berta Sailor, commented. “It just proves that there is a lot of good in the heartland of America. Those people out there so far away, caring about those here is a true blessing. I hope to get out there and meet them someday.”

Currently, there is rising interest among many local residents and groups who would like to contribute to the “Will to Succeed” Foundation and Operation Breakthrough. “This will take communication and organization by all parties involved, both in the Waconda area and Kansas City,” stated Greg German, Foundation board member. “Initial plans to increase awareness about these organization’s needs and to establish a line of communication with them, will be announced soon after the first of the year.”

Additional information is forthcoming. Or, inquire with Greg via e-mail at: ggerman9@aol.com

Date Published & Location	Click Article Title to Read Story
09-03-06 - Thank You! (website)	Glen Elder & Cawker City Communities
05-31-05 - Thank You! (website)	Glen Elder & Cawker City Communities
03-01-05 -- Thank You! (website)	Glen Elder, Cawker City and Downs Communities
12-17-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Beloit, Cawker City, Downs, Glen Elder Communities
09-07-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Cawker City, Glen Elder & Beloit Communities
08-17-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Cawker City, Glen Elder & Beloit Communities
07-08-04 -- Beloit Call, & Web Site* Please Read	St. John's Schools, Beloit ---CYO KC Mission Group
07-07-04 -- Beloit Call, & Web Site* Please Read	St. John's Schools, Beloit
07-06-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Glen Elder Christian Church
06-04-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Omicron Epsilon Sorority
06-04-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Beloit Heartbeat Pregnancy Center
06-03-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Glen Elder & Cawker City Methodist Churches
04-22-04 -- Cawker City Ledger / Thank You!	Cawker City Library
04-19-04 -- Beloit Call, Cawker City Ledger & Downs News	Letter to News Paper Editors
04-12-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Cawker City Churches
04-10-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Glen Elder Citizens
03-17-04 -- Thank You! (website)	Cawker City Eastern Star
03-10-04 -- Beloit Call	1000 Books Donated
02-22-04 -- Cawker City Ledger	Library To Collect Books For The Will Shields Foundation
02-11-04 -- Beloit Call	St. John's Book Drive: Books Wanted
01-29-04 -- Cawker City Ledger & Beloit Call	Solomon Valley Supporting Hands Project Initiated
01-08-04 -- Cawker City Ledger	Donations To “Will To Succeed” Foundation & Operation Breakthrough Are Appreciated

	*In The News*