Monkey Brain Art – KC United Art Festival

Monkey Brain ArtBy Erik Andress, Sales Management Professional at Kenton Brothers

On October 8th, we joined veteran artists and local artists to raise awareness and funds for Monkey Brain Art held at the National WW1 Museum & Memorial for their second annual KC United Art Festival. Monkey Brain Art is a non-profit organization whose mission is to use art creation, meditation and mindfulness to calm the unsettled minds of Warriors who have PTSD.

Kenton Brothers participated alongside one of our partners, a sponsor of the event, Black & Veatch. Jon Gann and I helped with the silent auction and raffle. There was a signed Patrick Mahomes jersey, as well as a raffle to win a Garmin watch. And Alana Hanly and her family came by later to help with the take down of the booths. Thank you for allowing us to collaborate and support such a great event and an amazing cause!

To learn more about Monkey Brain Art, or,  if you missed the event and would like to donate to their cause, please visit Money Brain Art’s website.

Their Story

Founders, Gary and Trish Walker, have experienced the benefits of the healing practice of art, meditation, and mindfulness to combat the trauma of PTSD. Both having traveled the journey of the unsettled mind, continue to use these techniques to treat their own trauma. Gary, a Disabled United States Air Force Veteran and artist, practices art to quiet his crushing anxiety and depression.

Trish Walker, a licensed Yoga Instructor, and recent Breast Cancer Survivor, provides her experience and expertise to provide help and care for others in crisis. Together, Gary and Trish, bring a blend of art and meditation techniques that will assist in unlocking new ways to cope with restless minds and spirits associated with PTSD.

The Monkey Squad
Their team, The Monkey Squad, is made up of individuals who are warriors who have a huge passion for art and helping walk with their brothers & sisters as they find their way back to themselves.

Kenton Brothers Sponsors The KC Blind All-Stars Foundation 5K

KS School for Blind and Deaf 5KBy Erik Andress, Sales Management Professional at Kenton Brothers

It was a perfect (almost) fall morning on Saturday, September 24th, when Alana Hanly and I loaded up our families and met at the Kansas State School for the Blind. The children had donuts; the adults had caffeine. (Ok, ok, fine… maybe a donut or two for the adults as well.)

As soon as we parked, we heard the DJ playing fun, uplifting music! The morning started with a few announcements, a guided warm-up session and a welcome message from KMBC meteorologist Nick Bender and KCKS Mayor Garner. The National Anthem played, and it was at that moment we knew…today was the day we were going to break the world 5K record. Tensions build, the race starts…

So, there we were, walking at the very back of the 5K.  THE. VERY. BACK.

KS School for Blind and Deaf 5KWe had our very own police escort to make sure traffic understood that we were still, indeed, part of that 5K they just saw go by. But we weren’t alone!  We made several new friends that joined us on the walk. Spread throughout the entire 5K field were volunteers and local cheerleading squads that showed up to spread positivity and awareness.

It was a around mile marker 2 where I asked the police officer behind us for a ride to the end. To which the officer replied, “This ride only goes one way.”  I almost considered it!

However, we finished the 5K together and were almost sad it was over.

The conversation and fun we had was a great way to start our Saturday and it was for such a great cause. We can’t wait to do it again!

The event ended with a fun raffle and a blind soccer demonstration. (Thanks for having us!!!)

KS School for Blind and Deaf 5KProceeds benefit the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation (KCBAS), supporting the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB). The monies raised from this year’s event will go toward replacing the gym floor at KSSB. The goal this year was to exceed what they needed to renovate the gym, then begin work on their other athletic facilities.

At Kenton Brothers Systems for Security, we believe it is important to take an active role in giving back to our community. It is so rewarding to participate in these kinds of events. And we love raising awareness for various not-for-profits doing good work all over the Kansas City Metro and beyond.

Jackson County Frank White Jr. Charity Golf Tournament Benefiting FosterAdopt Connect

By Erik Andress, Sales Management Professional at Kenton Brothers

Jackson County Frank White Jr. Golf TournamentThe Jackson County Frank White Jr. chairy golf tournament was held on Friday Sept. 9 at Fred Arbanas Golf Course. This year, the tournament featured a 36-team field, the largest in its six-year history. Our KB teammates, Luke Bergin and Kevin Whaley, participated in the four-man scramble, 18-hole golf competition. (It didn’t take much convincing to be apart of a golf/charity event for these two!)

This year’s benefits go to FosterAdopt Connect.

FosterAdopt Connect works with children, youth and families as they navigate the complexities of the child welfare system. With the help of innovative tools, a dedicated professional staff and more than 20 years of experience working in the Kansas and Missouri foster care systems, they are equipped to connect children with families that provide love, healing and stability for a brighter future.

During the past six years, the golf tournament has raised more than $100,000 benefitting multiple organizations.

The tournament included silent and live auctions, which along with hole sponsors helped raise the donated funds.

The Jackson County Frank White Jr. Charity Golf Tournament helped raise $23,000 to go toward FosterAdopt Connect, the county announced Thursday!!!!!

Congratulations to Kevin and Luke for placing 3rd overall!!! Way to represent!

Newhouse: A place of hope for those experiencing domestic violence.

By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

newhouse logoOne in three women and one in four men has experienced some form of domestic violence in their lifetime. So that means someone in your family, one of your coworkers, someone you go to school with or graduated college with… someone you know and love has experienced violence.

Courtney Thomas is the CEO of Newhouse KC, a domestic violence shelter, where she’s instilling that hope for other survivors. Courtney knows the pain and fear of that environment, as she grew up living in a domestic violence household until she was a teenager. “Domestic violence is a thief of your childhood. It’s a thief of your self-confidence and your happiness as an adult,” Thomas said.

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Statistically, it can take a survivor seven to 10 times to leave their abuser.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline number is 1-800-799-7233. For the Kansas City region, that hotline number is 816-468-5463.

Thank you to the team at Newhouse KC, for doing great work in supporting the Kansas City community. Kenton Brothers Systems for Security is proud to be your security partner and to help bring peace of mind to your residents through a secure environment to live and heal.

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KB Sponsors the 1st Annual Troy Shaw Memorial Golf Tournament

By Justine King, Sales and Marketing Administrator at Kenton Brothers

Troy Shaw Memorial Golf TournamentBelton CARES:

Troy Shaw was the Executive Director of the Belton CARES Organization. Belton CARES is a Missouri Department of Mental Health coalition working with First Call and vital sectors of the community to affect positive change for Belton youth.

Their mission is:
To direct, support and actively coordinate efforts of the community to significantly reduce substance abuse, promote youth safety, reduce bullying, support mental health issues, and thereby improve the health and well-being of the community.

Troy’s dedication and passion for Belton’s youth is what motivated others in the community to join the Belton CARES initiative.

“He just always called it stupid cancer,” Troy’s mom Tina Hickam said. Stupid cancer took his life after a two-year battle with melanoma. With Troy gone, many have joined efforts to fill his responsibilities, though no one will be able to fill his passion the way he did.

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Troy Shaw Memorial Golf Tournament:

Troy Shaw Memorial Golf TournamentKenton Brothers was fortunate enough to support the Belton, MO community during the 1st Annual Troy Shaw Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday August 14th. The golf tournament was in tribute to Belton CARES Executive Director, Troy Shaw. Supporting companies and groups joined efforts to honor the dedication and commitment Troy showed to his family and community.

The tournament was intended to earn the $10,000 endowment for Troy’s Scholarship. However, the event was such a success that it doubled the intended goal thanks to all sponsoring companies and golfers including Kenton Brothers.

The Troy Shaw Golf Tournament is now confirmed as an annual event and Kenton Brothers looks forward to future support of this cause and encouraging the youth of Belton for years to come.

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