Johnson County Museum’s “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation” temporary exhibit

receives award from Greater Kansas City Attractions Association

The Johnson County Museum recently received the 2022 Special Achievement Award from the Greater Kansas City Attractions Association for the temporary exhibit,  “REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation.”

“The museum is honored by this recognition from GKCAA, and grateful to have the opportunity to serve the community through our work,” said Johnson County Museum Curator of Engagement Lindsey Arnold Seevers. “We would like to thank our 20-plus community partners who helped develop REDLINED and created programing to continue the community conversations. Without their support we would not be able to share this hard history of a short-lived federal policy that is inextricably intertwined with the development of our suburban cityscape. We would also like to thank the tens of thousands of you who have visited the exhibit, taken a group tour, and attended programs and panels. The support of the community has been overwhelming!

The award honors an individual or organization who coordinated a unique event, program, or campaign to go above and beyond in furthering the goals, objectives, and spirit of the tourism and hospitality industry.

REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation opened Jan. 29 and will run through Jan. 7, so there’s still time to visit the exhibit. This nearly year-long temporary exhibit, which is tied into to the museum’s 55^th anniversary, is extensive, chronicling more than 175 years of history related to redlining, its foundations, and its continuing legacies. Redlining - the system of disinvestment that went from a private prejudicial practice in the early 20th century to a federal policy during the Great Depression - shaped and continues to impact daily interactions, neighborhoods, cities, and the nation.

Learn more about the exhibit and plan your visit at www.jcprd.com/Redlined.

For more information, contact:

Johnson County Museum Curator of Engagement Lindsey Arnold Seevers, 913-715-2568

or Johnson County Museum Manager Mary McMurray, 913-715-2555

2022 Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat event collects and donates record number of canned foods

Young participants in the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s 66 Out of School Time Programs recently set a new record for donation collections during their annual Halloween-themed canned food drive.

In all, the Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat drive, which ran of Oct. 24 through 28, brought in a total of 22,584 items.

“This is the most JCPRD OST has ever gathered and donated,” said Children's Services Specialist Charity Coker. “A lot of the pantries we went to had empty shelves. The food pantries were so very amazed with what these kids were able to do.  Completely blown away. And so are we!!  They are making a huge difference in our community.”

This year’s collections compare to: 15,456 items collected through the drive in 2021; 16,589 collected in 2020, even with the campaign toned down because of COVID-19; and 12,272 items collected in the prepandemic year of 2019.

Since 2008, elementary-age (5-12) students in JCPRD’s OST programs have gathered food each October to help their less fortunate neighbors. This year’s Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat initiative took place primarily in the geographical areas of the schools in four Johnson County school districts (De Soto, Gardner, Olathe, and Shawnee Mission) where JCPRD OST programs are offered.

Officials said the annual Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat initiative has become important for both the participating children and for the Johnson County communities they come from. 

“We were able to teach our program participants so many valuable lessons and life skills through this project,” Coker said. “Kids checked expiration dates and counted items, practicing math skills.  They sorted canned goods and other nonperishable items, and kept track of incoming donations, building leadership skills.  We had discussions about community service and helping those in need. Community service is one of the best ways to teach children the value of empathy and kindness. We hope by making this community service project a priority, our program kids will develop positive habits to carry into adulthood. We know that we are proud of the impact they are making right now in our county.”

A JCPRD video about the Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat initiative can be found here: https://youtu.be/tIoOChH0Uhg

For more information, contact:

Children's Services Specialist Charity Coker, 913-715-2568

or Children’s Services Manager Jennifer Anderson, 913-826-3015