SOS and community members celebrated 10 years of SOS Strong and this year’s SOS Strong Ambassadors at a celebration dinner and reception Thursday evening at Champions Landing. A dinner was held to recognize the work of SOS Strong Ambassadors in raising just under $21,500 during this year’s campaign. Following the dinner, past SOS Strong Ambassadors and community members joined the group for a celebration to recognize the commitment and support given by past Ambassadors and the community during 10 years of SOS Strong.
The 12 SOS Strong Ambassadors worked from July 9 to August 19th, and during the campaign the Ambassadors talked about SOS and raised money to support the organization’s programs through a variety of creative means. Fundraisers included an open mic, barbecue sales, t-shirt sales, a group ride and brunch, a snow cone fundraiser, a mystery box from Dynamic Discs, a raffle, and more. A $3,000 matching grant by Kat and Tamir Zuckerman helped to set the campaign in motion, and as in previous years, the community stepped up to support the Ambassadors in their efforts. The 2024 SOS Strong Ambassadors were Sinjin Andrews, Scott Capes, Joe Corn, Jared Germann, Andrew Hawley, John Koelsch, Deon Morrow, Kerry Moyer, Joel Obando, Owen Reed, Bryon Rosine, and Brent Thomas.
To mark 10 years of SOS Strong, past and current Ambassadors, SOS staff, and the community celebrated at a reception Thursday evening. At the reception Ambassadors shared their experiences and reflected on what SOS Strong meant to them and the impact it continues to have. In 10 years, SOS Strong has raised over $350,000 to provide necessary funds that support SOS programs. Over 150 local men have stepped up to become SOS Strong Ambassadors, with a number of those men being a part of the campaign for multiple years. In 2019 SOS Strong was recognized as project of the year by the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV).
SOS Strong Ambassadors strive to be upstanders in the fight against sexual and domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse and neglect. Each SOS Strong Ambassador took a pledge to lead by example, never blame victims, be a positive up-stander rather than a willing bystander, not engage in any acts of violence, stand up for someone in need and always use their voice to speak up for what is right. In the SOS Strong Campaign, men are featured who display leadership, provide community support, and are dedicated to helping SOS stop sexual and domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse and neglect. SOS Strong is an annual fundraiser that began in 2015 to highlight masculine role models that demonstrate positive examples of strength, community leadership, and fatherhood. These Ambassadors also demonstrate that abuse isn’t just a women’s problem, it’s everyone’s problem.
All funds raised during SOS Strong go directly to support the services provided by SOS, which serves Lyon, Coffey, Chase, Osage, and Morris counties and includes SOS Crisis Services, CASA of the Flint Hills, the Child Visitation and Exchange Center, and the SOS Child Advocacy Center. More information about SOS can be found at soskansas.com. Those experiencing sexual or domestic violence, stalking, or human trafficking can call 1-800-825-1295 or text SOSKS to 847411 to confidentially speak to an advocate.
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