Olathe North High School Class of 1988

(Feb. 19, 1970 —              )

Joni founded the non-profit Starfish Project, a resource preservation organization that connects people to resources and acts of kindness. She built a team of volunteers who pick up and distribute clothes and household items to those in need and teamed with businesses and companies that donate food by the pallet. With approval from the state capital, Joni and Starfish Project volunteers collect leftover food from local middle and high schools. It is then distributed to Starfish Project, Mission Southside and Salvation Army families and clients in need of evening meals. Over 2,000 people benefit each month. Joni also founded Second Saturdays, which provides hot meals, haircuts and health screenings to those in need. Blessing Bags provide water, snacks, toiletries, socks, gloves and other items to the homeless. Dignity Bags provide toiletries to students who are displaced. In addition, Starfish teams with Beds of Bags to make and provide sleeping mats to the homeless. Joni was one of three finalists in 2023 for Fox 4’s Remarkable Women of Kansas City. Joni humbly shares all the credit for Starfish with her volunteers.