It’s always a crowd favorite when the team at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) visits our Day Treatment program to host an ice cream party for the children! DFA has supported The Children’s Place for more than eight years, including serving as presenting sponsor to Party for The Place 2024 and giving a total of $120,000 over the years, along with their annual tradition of hosting an ice cream sundae bar for the children.
“With 9,500 farmer-owners and 19,000 employees across the United States and worldwide, we provide monetary and product donations, volunteer with partner organizations, provide disaster relief, educate youth through scholarships and organizations — like The Children’s Place — and support veterans,” said Danelle Bender, Senior Vice President and Chief Treasury Officer of DFA. “Supporting The Children’s Place — and the youth in our local Kansas City community — is a natural fit for DFA and our core values.”
DFA not only gives as a corporation, but the staff have also leaned in, with many staff giving personally after getting to know The Children’s Place’s mission. Danelle has been on The Children’s Place’s Board of Directors since 2021, including serving as our Board Chair in 2024. Together with her colleagues at DFA, Danelle has connected The Children’s Place with other potential corporate partners and individual donors to help support our mission.
“If the generosity of our staff and organization can help one child change the trajectory of their life, honestly, that would be enough because that one change is going to have a ripple effect for the other people in that child’s life, and for the community, and on and on,” Danelle said. “I’ve seen the work firsthand; I know the impact it has. DFA has a long-term perspective and makes investments with that in mind—what better investment than an investment in our community’s kids!”
The Corporate Champions of Philanthropy Award was awarded at the Gratitude Bruncheon on June 5. Meet the other honorees of Gratitude Bruncheon 2025 here.
