Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) International held their annual International Convention July 18-23, at the Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center Overland Park. Lisa and Bob Baum, Coleen and Ira Cape, and Kim and Steve Kummer attended from Great Bend. Cape served as the convention chair of the 64th Annual Convention, Sunflower Serenade for the 500 attendees. IC President Dora Dill, Nebraska presided over the convention. She challenged ESA members to “Celebrate the Child” during the 2010-2011 year.
ESA members attended seminars throughout the week on various topics including “What makes you Tic” presented by Marc Elliott. Elliott has turret syndrome and encouraged tolerance beginning with one’s self to make a difference. BJ Clark, ESA Executive Director discussed “Putting the Pieces Together”, Kathleen and Annie Passanisi motivated attendees to move from stuck to superb in their daily life. Kummer was one of three presenters for the “Let’s Party in ESA” membership workshop open to all members. Kummer will serve 2011-2012 as the Jr. Membership Director for ESA International promoting membership and new chapters throughout the United States.
Wednesday evening a “Munchkin March” was held to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Attendees raised over $200 each to attend the event where Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion were all in attendance. ESA has been associated with St. Jude for 40 years and has donated 143 million dollars in that time. Terri Thomas, Danny Thomas’ daughter, recognized each state for their donations throughout the year. Kansas was recognized for donating nearly $84,000 of the $1,531,239 donated by ESA this year to St. Jude.
Saturday afternoon 160 book bags were filled with school supplies as part of the “hands on project” to Celebrate the Child. Twenty bags were distributed in Barton County by local members. The 2011-2012 IC Officers were installed Saturday evening. Rose Pasillas, Texas was installed as President and Susan Winters, Frankfort, was installed as 1st Vice President/President Elect.
Kummer was one of three State President’s recognized as a Top State President for 2010-2011. Under her leadership the Kansas membership participated in several philanthropic activities including birthday bags for local food banks; back packs for schools, boxes to service men and women for the Hope for Heroes event; as well as support of current projects for Heartspring, Easter Seals – Capper Foundation and Goodwill. ESA…Makes A Difference in the lives of others. Anyone interested in learning more about ESA can contact Kummer at 620-792-5415.