Hunter Advocacy Award
This award is reserved for an individual who have shown outstanding devotion in supporting Family Child Care Providers in Kansas and whose leadership has promoted quality standards in the field. It is given annually at our professional event in April.
The Hunter Advocacy Award was established in 1998 in recognition of the critical role Kharon Hunter played in the formation of the state organization for family child care providers and her continued advocacy efforts. Kharon was well known throughout the State as a dedicated trainer and advocate, and an ever-present source of knowledge and information to all who knew her.
Kharon lost her battle with breast cancer after a 14 year struggle and passed away in December 2000. However, she left behind a legacy including many family child care providers who were proud to call her a mentor and friend.
This award serves as a continuing tribute to her life and untiring efforts on behalf of children, families and the profession of family child care.
2022 Hunter Award Recipient
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CCPC is honored to name Marie Treichel as the Hunter Advocacy Award recipient for 2022.
Marie works tirelessly in her community to support family child care providers. She creates a network of support by sharing information. She has even been known to drive to fellow child care programs, just to drop off paperwork or share information about a new grant opportunity.
Marie mentored and encouraged new providers to open and supported established providers to stay open during the pandemic. Marie also once worked with multiple agencies to acquire necessary materials to help a new provider start up their home day care.
Marie also advocates for family child care. She also helped to guide community partners to providing needed cleaning materials to providers during the pandemic. She has worked with community philanthropists to become more inclusive with their advocacy. University of Kansas, Douglas County's United Way, and other entities rose to support early childhood educators because of Marie's advocacy
Thank you for everything you do to support family child care!
Past Hunter Award Recipients
1998 Kharon Hunter
1998 Leadell Ediger
1999 Bill Anderson
2000 Becky Woerz
2001 Reva Wywadis
2004 Laurie Pigg
2005 Carolyn Weinhold
2006 Jane Wieler
2008 Janet Newton
2012 Beth Reeder
2013 Audra Kennison
2014 Mary Murphy
2015 Maureen Kitzi
2016 Carlos Gomez
2017 Bev Long
2018 Rachel Sisson
2019 Dawn Brown
2020 Caroline Teter
2021 Mary Baskett
2022. Marie Treichel