Heroes honored for saving teen; Lee’s Summit kids collect food for those in need

In July of 2021, 17-year-old Xavier King collapsed during soccer practice. Thanks to his teammates, coaches, the Lee’s Summit Fire Department and others, he survived. After a short time at the Lee’s Summit Medical Center, he returned to high school at Summit Christian Academy, and he graduated this month.

Those who moved quickly to save his life were honored for their fast actions during a Great Save event put on by the Medical Center on May 16.

“A Great Save allows us to acknowledge remarkable and heroic efforts made each day in providing immediate pre-hospital care to patients like Xavier when minutes matter,” said Lee’s Summit Medical Center Chief Executive Officer John McDonald earlier this month. “This Great Save is particularly poignant and significant, as Xavier will graduate this week — an event that he would not be celebrating had it not been for the patient’s teammates, coaches, first responders and hospital caregivers’ quick actions.”

In addition to the ceremony, Lee’s Summit Medical Center provided a hands-only CPR demonstration to those in attendance at Lee’s Summit City Hall.

UCM helps mom of three finish long path to graduation

Jo Riese, the mother of a young child, began college in 1994 at the University of Central Missouri when she was on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. Though she was close to completing her degree, she decided to drop out in 1997 to focus on her family which then included three children, one with special needs.

“When I returned to UCM in 2016, I was a civilian employee on base, and all of my kids had graduated from high school,” she said in a written statement. “I had the time and determination to see it through. I completed the last two classes I needed, and planned on doing my Honors Project, but my body started failing me. In 2019, I was finally (after 20 years of pain) diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It sent my life into a tailspin.”

Riese was contacted by UCM staff members with the news that she had the hours to graduate without the Honors Project.

In May 2021, she received her bachelor’s degree in modern languages and culture, French. Riese’s oldest daughter graduated from UCM in 2015, and her youngest is currently enrolled.

The non-traditional student also benefited from participating in UCM’s Degrees When Due, a national initiative of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, to help students who have some college credit to complete their degrees.

“Even though I may never use my degree as planned ... I earned it and I have it,” Riese said. “Nobody, not a thing, can take that from me. Life is about the journey, not the destination.”

Youth at THCF gather goods for food pantry

As part of Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council fundraising activities, more than 100 area high school students from Independence, Blue Springs, Raytown and Lee’s Summit organized an eight-hour food drive in April, which benefited local community food pantries. Student volunteers filled several trucks with food and household goods donations at participating Hy-Vee locations. Lee’s Summit students filled the Lee’s Summit Social Service van almost four times.

The Youth Advisory Council at the Community Foundation empowers area students to take an active leadership role in their communities, teaching them how to give back through fundraising, grantmaking and volunteering.

Prepare to be patriotic for this concert

Wear your red, white and blue and join the Lee’s Summit Symphony for a patriotic concert leading up to Independence Day.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. June 25 the The Pavilion at John Knox Village. Under Kirt Mosier’s direction, the orchestra will play many familiar favorites including “The Magnificent Seven,” “American Salute,” “The Star-Spangled Banner” and many other classics. Guest conductor Jim Oliver will take the stage. too.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults; $10 for students seventh grade through college; and free for kids sixth grade and under with an adult paid admission. Tickets may be purchased online at lssymphony.org/tickets or at either Lee’s Summit Hy-Vee and at Price Chopper at Raintree Lake and Lakewood.

Lutheran Urban Mission auxiliary celebrated 90 years

The Lutheran Urban Mission Agency Auxiliary celebrated its 90th anniversary on May 18 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit. Nearly 100 people attended to support the charitable work of the Lutheran Urban Mission Agency of Kansas City. Through the years the women of the Auxiliary have made items like baby caps and blankets for hospitals and baked cookies and candy for the Jackson County Detention Centers. Members have also supported food pantries.

The event featured music, a luncheon and a celebration of many years of service.