Meet our 2023 recipients!

2020 marked the start of a new Nancy Perry Day of Caring tradition, the Ad Astra Honors. Ad Astra Honors celebrate volunteers in our community who go above and beyond to serve others. They are the unsung heroes, rarely seeking recognition and often are happy working their magic out of the spotlight.

The Honors will eventually encompass a variety of volunteer awards, including the Marge Heeney Award that honors volunteers who work directly with United Way. In 2021, we split the Ad Astra honors into two categories. The Professional category accepts nominations of volunteers ages 22 and over. The Youth category accepts nominations of volunteers ages 21 and younger. Use the online forms below to nominate someone.

Professional Service to the Community nomination form for volunteers age 22 and older
https://forms.office.com/r/Z7skQk78Wp

Youth Service to the Community nomination form for volunteers age 21 and younger
https://forms.office.com/r/htBHLtJfZG

If you are unable to complete a digital nomination, please contact Jess Barraclough by email at jnb@uwkawvalley.org or by phone at 785.273.4804.

Who can be nominated?

Volunteerism is woven into the fabric of our community and of United Way of Kaw Valley. It brings strength, color and texture to everything we do. When you and those around you serve, the impact goes beyond the agencies and individuals in our community, but it makes a better place for all to live when we work together. Ad Astra Honors recognize community members who continually go above and beyond the call to support our neighbors in need. To be considered for this award, the candidate must meet the following:

Minimum Qualifications

• Create or support a program that created long lasting impact in Jackson, Jefferson, Douglas or Shawnee counties.
• Completed over 25 verified hours of service (From August 2022 – August 2023) in one of the impact areas below:
  • Education
  • Health
  • Financial Stability
  • Basic Needs
• Must live, work or learn in one of the counties that we serve (Jackson, Jefferson, Douglas or Shawnee Counties)

Ad Astra Honors nominations open each summer, and links will be posted here and on our social media channels. Build your volunteer resume now with opportunities from TopekaVolunteers.org or VolunteerDouglasCounty.org. If you have questions about the Ad Astra Honors or volunteering in general, please reach out to Jess Barraclough, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.

Prairie Glass Studio in Topeka creates the Ad Astra plaques.

Return to the main Volunteer page.