Olathe is blessed with an exceptional quality of life. But even here, too many children struggle to have their basic needs met: food, shelter, clothing, medical/dental services and school supplies. Our dedicated board members work with our generous community leaders, business owners, and neighbors to ensure these children have the resources to reach their full potential.

More than 20 years ago, the Olathe Noon Optimists raised money selling Christmas Trees. Their success grew as they built a sled, served cookies and cocoa, and invited the public to visit with Santa. The donations collected were the first to go toward the Mayor’s Christmas Tree fund.

The sale of trees stopped, but the holiday celebration and collection continued. The fund also began to receive donations from the Community Prayer Breakfast, which continues to be held each year the Friday before Thanksgiving.

Recognizing the greater capacity of Olathe’s philanthropic spirit, an endeavor was launched to broaden support for the fund. In 2007 Mayor Michael Copeland created a board of “big-hearted bigwigs.” Since then, the fund’s impact has grown exponentially. It is the most successful Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund in the metro, having raised more than $2 million and bettering the lives of thousands of local kids and their families.

In 2020, the fund’s name was changed to the Olathe Mayor’s Children’s Fund. The mission remains the same: to meet the basic needs of all Olathe children.

Make a Difference in the Lives of Our Children

Each year, the Olathe Mayor’s Children’s Fund campaign runs from October 1 to December 31. A few weeks later, the Mayor and the board then present the money to local charities, supporting their efforts to help kids in need.

Thanks for your support. Your tax-deductible donation will help us touch the lives of countless children, giving them hope for a brighter tomorrow!

Follow the Olathe Mayor's Children's Fund on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

• Mayor John Bacon, Honorary Chairman
• Jerry Barrios, Atmos Energy
• Valerie Bentley, Grandma's Catering
• Brad Cornell, Olathe Chamber
• Craig Cunningham, Jett Trucking
• Deanne Engstrom, First Security Bank
• Beverly Flores
• Brian Hamilton, TVH
• Kathy Hutchinson, Vice-Chair, United Office Products
• Lisa Kaiser, Garmin
• Brent McCune, Wealth Plan Partners
• Jeremy McEver, Olathe Ford
• Ruth Nelson, Olathe Noon Optimist Club
• Debbie Newton, Chair, Enterprise Bank
• Jamie Nordstrom, University of Kansas Health System
• Darren Odum, Newman Regional Health
• Harlan Parker, State Farm Insurance
• Jeff Rouse, Chick-Fil-A
• Jill Smith, Olathe Public Schools Foundation
• Bill Shafer
• Beverly Wittenborn, Olathe Noon Optimist Club

The Olathe Mayor’s Children’s Fund Board is excited to support these charity partners through the 2024 Campaign!

• Mission Southside
• KVC
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater KC
• Health Partnership Clinic
• El Centro
• Johnson County Christmas Bureau
• YMCA
• Center of Grace
• Catholic Charities
• Starfish Project
• Olathe Public Schools Foundation
• Angel Clothing Foundation
• Kids TLC
• Life Journey Foundation 
• CASA

Thank you to our dedicated charity partners for all you do for Olathe children, and for this opportunity to help improve the lives of so many!

Join Santa, Mayor Bacon and the Olathe Mayor's Children's Fund for our annual Eggstravaganza fundraiser! There will be a raffle, auction, celebrity servers and breakfast for dinner.

Click here for 2024 tickets and sponsorship information. 

Thanks to our partners at First Watch, CC Produce and Andy's Frozen Custard for bringing to life our biggest event each year!

Saturday, October 12
Warmup: 8 a.m.
Play Begins: 9 a.m.

Two Trails Park
1000 N Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66061

Register here.

Times are subject to change.

Each year, the biggest donor to the Olathe Mayor's Children's Fund is the Olathe Public Schools community. Students, families, teachers and administrators donate change in jugs throughout November and December at each Olathe Public Schools building. In 2021, students raised a record $38,525.26! Every penny donated goes to help buy children shoes and socks through the Center of Grace's Children's Shoe Fund.

Donate to Pennies for Shoes today!

The Olathe Mayor's Children's Fund Teen Committee is a new effort to re-energize fundraising and volunteer efforts in Olathe's high schools and to educate high schoolers about how to help those in need in Olathe.

The committee is looking to recruit members from each of the Olathe Public Schools high schools. If you would like to join, contact Assistant to the Mayor Liz Ruback at emruback@olatheks.org.