Join Lee’s Summit CARES’ Community of Character at our annual Kick Off to Character with guest speaker Dan Meers. This year’s event will be hosted by Summit Bank of Kansas City on September 14th, 2018 at 7:30 a.m. and includes a light breakfast. All Lee’s Summit businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders are invited to attend.

The Kickoff to Character is an inspirational event encouraging Lee’s Summit business leaders to promote character development. “Lee’s Summit CARES believes that when everyone is dedicated to upholding sound character, the community becomes a great place to live, work and do business,” states director Rachel Segobia. “Business leaders have the unique opportunity to impact hundreds of thousands of community members and are therefore imperative to our vision of creating a healthy and safe community for our youth.”

Following the Kickoff, join Lee’s Summit CARES for a Neighborhood Picnic on Sept. 15 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Lea McKeighan North Park at 120 NE Chipman Rd. Activities include lunch, face painting, pickle ball, sand volleyball and more. This event targets residents of the Downtown Lee’s Summit neighborhood and is designed to connect and engage neighbors. “Our data indicates that Lee’s Summit youth don’t have strong community supports. Lee’s Summit CARES’ Community of Character seeks to develop relationships and supports for our young people within the neighborhoods where they live, helping them grow and thrive,” says Segobia.

The Kickoff to Character and Neighborhood Picnic are Community of Character events presented by Lee’s Summit CARES, a nonprofit community coalition that provides programs for youth substance use prevention, parenting and character development. The 30-year old nonprofit agency works to maintain a healthy and safe community for children, youth and families of the Greater Lee’s Summit area. For additional information or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit LSCares.org or call (816) 347-3298.