Kearney Community Steps up Again

The biggest news last week was the weather as record low readings plagued the Kansas City metro area with sub-zero temperatures. For over two weeks, Carol Dixon has been leading an initiative to help homeless and less fortunate people who are sheltering in the Scott Eicke Warming Center at Bartle Hall in Kansas City.

Photo courtesy of the Scott Eicke Warming Center

The warming center is a historic joint effort between the city of Kansas City, grassroots community organizers, and local nonprofit and outreach organizations.

When Dixon saw the overwhelming need, she rallied friends and family including Mindy Boyd, Emily Boyd, Don Duffy and former Bulldog defensive back Buster Lawrence to help out. Once they saw the desperate needs in person they began to reach out for donations of items from the community.

Dixon and Boyd have been asking the community to help with donations of new or gently used items like clothes, blankets, pillows and other supplies. They have been driving to the warming center every day for the last two weeks with the donations.

“Kearney, [you] have donated from your hearts. Each day my apartment has been FILLED with donations from YOU,” wrote Dixon in a Facebook post. “Everyday as they’ve received your gifts, KCMO has been in awe and moved by our citizens’ kindness.”

Dixon has posting needs, sorting items and coordinating this effort from Kearney.

Mindy Boyd coordinates all donations and manages the donation room at Bartle Hall. She also works with volunteers to help sort and organize donations and assists the guests in getting items they need. Her daughter Emily works the floor upstairs, working directly with the guests.

Current needs for people at the warming center include coats, shoes, underwear, socks, belts, jeans, sweatpants and shirts, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, hygiene basics and backpacks. If you would like to donate new or gently used items, you can drop them off at Tracy Tucker’s State Farm office at 751 Watson Drive, suite D in Kearney.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story