The Gallery Event Space

61 E. 14 Street, Kansas City, MO

11:30am – 1:30pm

The Whole Person invites you to attend our 6th Annual Celebrations Awards Luncheon on Friday, August 26 at The Gallery Event Space, located in the Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri. Our Keynote Speaker will be Colonel Greg Gadson, and John Holt, FOX 4 News will serve as Emcee. The event honors individuals and organizations that are working to further TWP’s mission to assist people with disabilities to live independently. 2016 Celebration Awards Winners: Individual Award: Adam Lane Corporate Award: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Civic Leader Award: Jackson County Sports Complex Authority Paul H. Levy Founders Award: Sally Firestone Lifetime Achievement Award: Posthumously to Finn Bullers Tickets and sponsorships are available to be purchase below. We have a variety of sponsorship levels which support this distinguished event in our community. See details below. Please contact Terri Goddard, Resource Development Manager at 816-627-2220, tgoddard@thewholeperson.or g for more information. KEYNOTE SPEAKER | COL. GREG GADSON Our keynote speaker, Colonel Greg Gadson, is a 25-year career Army officer whose life is a portrait of courage in the face of great adversity. In May 2007, as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, Col. Gadson’s greatest challenge came in Iraq, where an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack cost him both legs above the knees and normal use of his right arm and hand. Despite this, Col. Gadson remained on active duty in the Army and continued to inspire many with his message of courage, perseverance, determination and teamwork. Refusing to be defined by his severe and permanent injuries, he has continued to draw upon the lessons of Pride, Poise and Team, learned as a West Point linebacker, and apply them to his life, career and family.

CELEBRATION AWARDS LUNCHEON OVERVIEW

Keynote Speaker: Col. Greg Gadson

Our keynote speaker, Colonel Greg Gadson, is a 25-year career Army officer whose life is a portrait of courage in the face of great adversity. In May 2007, as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, Col. Gadson’s greatest challenge came in Iraq, where an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack cost him both legs above the knees and normal use of his right arm and hand. Despite this, Col. Gadson remained on active duty in the Army and continued to inspire many with his message of courage, perseverance, determination and teamwork. Refusing to be defined by his severe and permanent injuries, he has continued to draw upon the lessons of Pride, Poise and Team, learned as a West Point linebacker, and apply them to his life, career and family.
Keynote Speaker: Col. Greg Gadson

He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant of Field Artillery in 1989 from West Point. He has served in every major conflict of the past two decades, including Operations Desert Shield/Storm in Kuwait; Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina; Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Col. Gadson has served in various assignments throughout the world dedicating himself to leading the Soldiers, civilian employees and family members in living the Army Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. He is a passionate advocate for wounded warriors, veterans and those with disabilities; on several occasions testifying before Congress on issues related to these groups. In 2007, Tom Coughlin, New York Giants head coach, asked Col. Gadson to meet with the then-struggling team. Col. Gadson talked to the players about service, teamwork, duty, perseverance and adversity. Although he refuses to take any credit, the Giants players and coaches have heralded the key inspirational role he played in their unprecedented season culminating as victors of the 2008 Super Bowl. Col. Gadson currently maintains his mentoring relationship with the Giants. In addition, Col. Gadson has delivered his inspirational message and leadership counsel to numerous sports teams, corporate and non-profit organizations and government agencies.
Luncheon Emcee: John Holt

John Holt joined FOX 4 News in 1994. He co-anchors “FOX 4 News at 5 p.m.” and “FOX 4 News at 9 p.m.” John also serves as an investigative and special projects reporter for FOX 4 News. John has won numerous awards including Regional Emmy’s for anchoring, news writing, investigative reporting, general assignment reporting, and feature reporting. Media Mix, a media professionals group in Kansas City, named John its TV Personality of the Year in 2000, 2006, and 2008. In 2015 The Heart of America Boy Scout Council named John a Ewing M. Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Scout. John is also active in the community as a volunteer, including serving on the boards of the Head for the Cure Foundation, the KU Advancement Board, and the Kansas Bar Association Media-Bar Committee. He is a past board chair and member of Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports, and past member of the KU Alumni Association-Kansas City Chapter Board. John emcees and hosts numerous events for area charities, including Benedictine College, The University of Kansas, The University of Kansas Hospital, Blue Valley Educational Foundation and The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association.
The Whole Person believes that people who live with a disability – nearly 1 in 5 Americans – should have the same rights, access and opportunities as people who currently live without disabilities. Every day, The Whole Person helps people with disabilities live independently in our community.