Wichita State's influence in the community is particularly evident at the Wichita Children's Home. In recognition of WSU alumna Sarah Robinson's 26 years of service at WCH, Wichita State and the WSU Alumni Association are holding the first Shocker Service Celebration for Robinson and about 30 children from WCH, as well as WCH staff and board members.

The celebration will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, in the William H. Smith Bowling and Recreation Center in Rhatigan Student Center. President Don Beggs and Wade Robinson, vice president for campus life and university relations, will honor Sarah Robinson and the Wichita Children's Home between 4:30-5 p.m.

The celebration will include pizza, bowling and more.

NOTE: Media are welcome to attend, but because of privacy issues, no children's faces can be photographed.

"The home is so honored to be selected as the first recipient of the Shocker Service Celebration," said Robinson. "Both WSU and the home have a long and rich history of meeting the needs of the great citizens of the Wichita area. We are thankful for the ways in which we have partnered already and look forward to new opportunities to strengthen our community."

As the only state university in an urban setting, WSU has a special obligation to the welfare of its community and the people who call it home, according to Beggs.

"Like Wichita State, the Wichita Children's Home prides itself on continually adjusting the services it provides to meet the community's ever-changing needs," said Beggs. "From the earliest days of Fairmount College, Wichita State has been involved in all facets of the Wichita Children's Home, from its day-to-day operations to counseling and long-term planning."

Sarah Robinson has served the Wichita Children's Home since 1983. She earned a Master of Arts in community psychology from WSU in 1986.

"In earning this degree, I learned about prevention, education, collaboration and research," said Robinson. "These skills have been essential in my role with the home. I was very fortunate to work on my master's and at the home at the same time, thanks to WSU."

Robinson also said the home has been fortunate to have some of WSU's finest alums and students serve the children as trustees, advisers and staff who are "wise, energetic and community minded. The students and professional staff are highly qualified to meet the needs of the children in crisis. It is wonderful to watch students complete their practicums or start their careers at the home."

Plans are to award the Shocker Service Celebration twice each year, during the fall and spring semesters. A panel of WSU's Office of University Relations and WSU Alumni Association staff will choose an individual or organization to honor, who either on his or her own or in association with a local organization is making significant contributions to the overall betterment of the community.

"Anywhere there's a worthy cause in our community, you'll find Shockers stepping up, reaching out and helping others," said Debbie Kennedy, executive director of the WSU Alumni Association. "These events are intended to shine a spotlight on those who best exemplify Wichita State's urban-serving mission."

Another example of WSU's commitment to its community is the formation of the Wu Crew, a 500-plus member organization of faculty and staff who regularly serve groups such as The Lord's Diner, American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Special Olympics. More information is available at http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=wucrew&p=/index.

During an economic time similar to today, the Wichita Children's Home was founded. In 1888, a grieving and unemployed father, who lost his wife during the birth of their seventh daughter, was looking for help. Fortunately, 20 local women, led by M.L. Garver, worked to provide a small home on Lincoln Street to care for the girls.

Once word got out about the home, more children arrived, some because of poverty and others maltreatment. WCH has been located near Wesley Medical Center since 1912, serving children ranging in age from birth to 18 years old.

During the past 30 years, the home has served as the only local children's emergency residential agency. WCH is open 24/7, so law enforcement, social workers and parents can admit children caught in a family crisis or unsafe situation.

More recently, WCH has added a street outreach program that uses a van to bring in youth who indicate they need help through the Safe Place Program, and a transitional living program for teens and young adults, some of whom are parents, who are learning to live on their own.

WCH has provided care for more than 2,000 children and youth, and offered services to more than 7,000 youth in FY2009.

Wichita State encourages the community to donate to the Wichita Children's Home. Its holiday wish list is available at http://www.wichita.edu/wishlist.

For information about the Wichita Children's Home, go to http://www.wch.org/.