Stepping up as Tastemakers two years in a row, fundraising for The Children’s Place at our Taste at The Place event, Cole Buckman and Jordan Diggs have been an unstoppable duo of impact for The Children’s Place.
Cole joined the Young Ambassador Board in 2023 and invited his friend Jordan to apply to join the board the following year.
Cole initially got involved because he was looking for a way to give back to the community in his free time outside his role as Vice President and Senior Commercial Relationship Manager at UMB Bank. A mentor encouraged him to join The Children’s Place’s Young Ambassador Board, and he was quick to apply because of his passion for helping kids and families.
“Every child deserves love, respect, and the freedom to dream big without the constant weight of worrying about things like their next meal or what might go wrong next,” Cole said. “The Children’s Place gives them that chance. It offers not just stability, but a path to healing and thriving—helping them catch up to or even surpass their peers. Being a small part of that journey is something I consider an incredible privilege.”
Jordan, Associate Director of Project Management at Barkley, became involved with our Young Ambassador Board after an invitation from Cole and his own passion for helping ensure children have the chance to grow up safe and healthy.
“Once I learned more about The Children’s Place—its trauma-informed care, its commitment to early intervention, and its holistic approach to healing—I knew it was where I wanted to serve,” Jordan said. “It felt like a calling. I wanted to be part of something that restores joy and belonging to children who’ve experienced the unimaginable.”
Cole and Jordan enthusiastically stepped forward to join the inaugural class of Tastemakers in 2023, fundraising on behalf of The Children’s Place and kickstarting the party at Taste at The Place. They raised $3,103 their first year and had such a great time that they signed up to be Tastemakers again the following year.
They have raised a total of more than $10,000 for children’s mental health as Tastemakers and have already volunteered to be Tastemakers again this year.
“More than anything, I want every child who walks through the doors of The Children’s Place to feel like they belong. Like their pain is acknowledged. Like their joy is celebrated. And that they are deeply seen,” Jordan said. “If my efforts, combined with others, help even one child move closer to feeling whole and safe, then every bit has been worth it.”
The Emerging Philanthropists of the Year Award was awarded at the Gratitude Bruncheon on June 5. Meet the other honorees of Gratitude Bruncheon 2025 here.
