Announcing our 2022 Karen Viola Volunteer of the Year!

About the Karen Viola Award

Karen Viola is a longtime supporter of the YWCA and gave so much of her time and energy helping with our accounting when we were in a time of need.  She was with us full-time as a volunteer during a transitional period for this organization. In 2016 we honored Karen by naming our Volunteer of the Year Award the Karen Viola Award. Since then, we have recognized former front desk volunteer Vickie Deaton, former Advocacy Chair Kim Montoya, former Concealed Revealed and Resource Development volunteer Carrie Riordan, Human Trafficking volunteer advocate and veterinarian Allison Crow, and front desk volunteer Kevin Williams. All of these distinguished volunteers serve as an inspiration to staff and supporters alike for their incredible generosity and charitable spirit and continue to model our mission within the YWCA and throughout the greater Topeka community.

Meet Marcy Weekley, Volunteer of the Year!

Earlier this year, Marcy completed her final term as a member of the YWCA Board of Directors. In her six years on the board, she served as Governance Chair and contributed greatly to the resource development work of the board. Around the same time that her term ended, she retired from a career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. These two things turned out to be incredibly fortunate for YWCA Northeast Kansas, because Marcy wasn't done being a part of our work yet!CEO Kathleen Marker convinced Marcy to co-chair the 2022 Women of Excellence Planning Committee, and Marcy's leadership built the biggest and most successful event we've ever had! She put in countless hours and miles driving around town to confirm logistics, recruit donations, and raise awareness for this powerful event.In addition to her critical role as co-chair of the 2022 Women of Excellence Awards, Marcy is a front desk volunteer every Tuesday. Her kind, welcoming, and dedicated presence make our lobby a safe and warm place for survivors, families, visitors, and staff. When you see her at the front desk, stop and say hello!

"Marcy believes in every aspect of the work that we do, and she shows up, over and over, to be a part of it. her leadership, her service, and her passion are invaluable."-Kathleen Marker, YWCA CEO

Thank you, Marcy, for everything you do to support the mission of YWCA!