The Kansas Leadership Center embarked on an ambitious quest in 2020 and 2021 to help eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic in our state. Over six weeks at the end of 2020, 851 community meetings took place and thus showcased the fast pace at which Kansans mobilized to slow the spread of the virus. In 2021, 1,008 locally generated action projects were launched with a significant focus on traditionally underserved communities. A sincere thank you to all who were involved. Kansas Beats the Virus was a testament to the capacity of Kansans to exercise leadership on a daunting challenge!
Purpose:
End the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas.
Strategy:
Mobilize Kansans to generate local solutions.
Focus:
Encourage vaccination and testing.
KANSAS BEATS THE VIRUS 2020 AND 2021
Meetings Held
Action Projects Launched
Grants Approved
Kansas Beats the Virus 2021 impacted an estimate of 1.45 million through locally generated action projects.
UPDATES AND STORIES
Relationships, trust and incentives engage Latinx community
2021 Annual Report
Safe Shopping is Common Ground in Crawford County
Connections and engagement empower civic-minded residents
Groups addressing disparities found valuable resource through virus initiative
News Release: Kansas Beats the Virus Evaluation Report
Voices on Vaccinations
Pandemic produces ray of hope for Kansas communities
Subsidized therapy addresses mental impact of COVID
NEWS UPDATES
PRESS RELEASES
Sept 28: ‘Kansas Beats the Virus’ Evaluation Report
Feb 1: “Kansas Beats the Virus’ initiative mobilized more than 7,000 Kansans
Dec 22: ‘Kansas Beats the Virus’ initiates 695 Action Plans
Dec. 16: ‘Kansas Beats the Virus’ initiative creates 174 Action Plans in 72 Counties to Date
Dec. 16: Buenas Nuevas en la iniciativa “Kansas Vence al Virus”
Dec 9: ‘Kansans Beats the Virus’ initiative mobilizing Kansans in 72 Counties with 34 Action Plans to Date
KANSAS BEATS THE VIRUS IN THE NEWS
- KSNT.com: Student event encourages vaccines at K-State
- Abilene-RC.com: Arts council uses grant funds to make take-home art kits for community
- KSN.com: Walnut Valley Festival prepares for hybrid event, launches vaccination campaign
- KWCH12: Wichita organization says to engage, not shame when it comes to vaccinations
- Salina Post: 🎥VaxHero art contest for ages 18 and under launches
- Derby Informer: Derby’s Woodlawn UMC works to bolster vaccination rates
- Emporia Gazette: Campaign #VaxtoNormal sees promising numbers in first four weeks
- Derby Informer: Incentivized vaccine clinic coming to Derby Library
- Eminetra: Health, Safety & Love For All’ – celebrated with music, festivities, and food
- KSN: Wichita City Pride 2021: Health, Safety & Love For All’ celebrated with music, festivities, and food
- Wyandotte Daily: Extra efforts being made to convince people to get vaccinated
- Great Bend Tribune: Sharing smiles, one vaccination at a time
- Derby Informer: Knowledge is power: Rotary Club prepares annual dictionary donation
- Atchison Globe: County extension groups urge mask-wearing
- KVOE Radio: Emporia Chamber President pleased with local results of KS Beats the Virus initiative
- Abilene Reflector-Chronicle: Vitamins to impact COVID-19 available
- Pratt Tribune: Big View participants share Kansas Beats the Virus highlights in Zoom meeting
- Derby Informer: Derby makes effort to help Kansas ‘Beat the Virus’
- Emporia Gazette: Emporia nonprofit distributes free window clings for “Spread Kindness, not the Virus” campaign
- Hutch News: Reno County initiative created to reward mask-wearing
- Kake TV: New program in Hutchinson wants to reward mask wearing
- Pratt Tribune: Virtual Big View meeting Monday will focus on how to beat the virus in Pratt
- Manhattan Mercury: The “Manhattan Beats the Virus: Stay the Course” bookmark in Spanish and English
- KSN.com: Initiative to encourage wearing masks announced in Reno County
- 13 WIBW: Topeka organizations team up for #KSbeatsthevirus campaign
- 13 WIBW: Topeka groups join statewide campaign to slow spread of COVID-19
- Newton Kansan: Emerge offering businesses COVID-19 prevention equipment
- Emporia Gazette: CrossWinds hosts mask challenge for $100 prize
- Atchinson Globe: USD 409 Reaching Out for Public Opinions About Central School
- Great Bend Tribune: Pilot Club shares 2021 New Year’s COVID resolutions
- Derby Informer: Derby Organizations Helping KLC “Beat the Virus”
- Leavenworth Times: Local Group Distributes Window Decals
- KRSL 95.5 FM: Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Exceeded one Million COVID-19 Tests in 2020
- WIBW: Kansas Gives Over 1 Million COVID-19 Tests
- Abilene Reflector-Chronicle: Mask Issue Still Front and Center
- The Beloit Call: First Day Hikers
- Pratt Tribune: Jeanette Siemens was named a 2020 Distinguished Kansas by The Topeka Capital-Journal
- Noticias: Hispanos Participan en Campana Contra COVID-19 en Kansas
- Pratt Tribune: Mask Advocates in Pratt Give Rewards with ‘Run, Run, Rona’ Campaign
- Univision: Hispanics Participate in Campaign Against COVID-19 in Kansas
- Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas Leadership Center, communities step up
- The Kansan: The Leadership Newton Course
- KVOE Radio: Coronavirus: Chamber President Pleased with Initial Results of ‘Kansas Beats the Virus’
- KVOE: Coronavirus: Lyon County Health officer, Governor Kelly note slowdown in caseload
- Abilene Reflector-Chronicle: Vitamin Drive Idea Catches Fire
- Great Bend Tribune: Pilot Club Joins KLC to Inspire Kansans to ‘Beat the Virus’
- McPherson Sentinel: Bethany Picked for Leadership Grant
- KC Jewish Chronicle: Local Jewish community taking part in ‘Kansas Beats the Virus’ campaign
- KSAL: 4-H Leading Local Efforts to “Beat the Virus”
- KU Health System: Morning Media Update 12.17.20 , Morning Media Update 6.9.21
- Wyandotte Daily: Small Groups Creating Ways to Fight COVID-19
- KHSB (KC): Kansas City COVID-19 Daily Briefing for December 17
- KVOE Radio: Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce’s Involvement in KLC’s COVID-19 influence campaign
- Derby Informer: Derby Joins Effort to Help Kansas Beat the Virus
- KSN.com: Kansas Stop the Spread Health Campaign Gains Momentum, Officials Push for COVID-19 Testing During Holidays
- KSN TV: Kansas Leadership Center Inspiring People to Find Solutions to Beat the Virus
- KVOE Radio: Kansas Leadership Center Begins Influence Campaign to Enhance Local Support of COVID-19 Safety Features
- WIBW: Gov Kelly to Host COVID-19 Update
- KSN: More than Half of Kansas Counties Have Mask Protocols
- KVOE: Coronavirus Statewide Public Service Campaign Face Covering Protocol Both Begin This Week
- WIBW: Gov Kelly to Announce New COVID-19 Precautions
- Topeka Capital Journal: Kansas governor issues second statewide mask mandate
- Kansas City Star: Kansas Gov. Kelly issues new statewide mask mandate as COVID-19 infections soar
- Kake: Kansas governor issues new mask mandate as COVID-19 cases surge
- KWCH: Gov. Kelly announces new statewide mask mandate as COVID-19 cases soar
- Wichita Eagle: Kansas Gov. Kelly issues new statewide mask mandate as COVID-19 infections soar
- Office of Governor Laura Kelly: Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Steps to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
More Ways You Can Help Kansas Beat the Virus
- Get resources you can use to share COVID-related information with your friends and family at Stop the Spread Kansas.
- Find a free testing site near you at Go Get Tested.
- Hear from those who have survived the virus at Faces of COVID.
For all media inquiries:
Carrie Lindeman
316-393-1076
[email protected]
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