Queen Bee 2023

My name is Abby Burrus and I am excited to be supporting St. Anthony Family Shelter and Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter as a Queen Bee. Born and raised in Wichita, I grew up on the west side of town and attended St. Francis of Assisi. After graduating from Bishop Carroll and the University of Kansas, I began my career with Koch in 2012, where I am now Director of Business Development for Koch Minerals & Trading.

My husband, Adam, and I have been parishioners of Blessed Sacrament since 2020. We have a daughter who will turn two years old in October and we are expecting our second child in December. In my free time, I enjoy chasing my toddler around and spending time with family. I am the youngest of seven and Adam is the youngest of four, so family keeps us busy!

I decided to participate in Queen Bee because I believe our ultimate calling as Catholics is simply to love others, especially those most in need. The family aspect of both shelters is particularly important to me because I believe there is nothing more precious than children and how we raise them is the foundation for our society. Parenting is hard, even when you have a strong support network and ample resources. Adults and children experiencing homelessness and/or domestic violence need to know that they matter, and they are not alone. It truly does take a village and both St. Anthony and Harbor House provide the respite and hand up people need to get back on their feet.

I would encourage everyone reading this to think of the impact you can make with your dollars. 

·         $1,000 buys new clothes and school supplies for four students

·         $500 provides two families with basic kitchen essentials

·         $250 supplies 82 individual meals to shelter residents

·         $100 provides a night of shelter, food, and supplies to one family

·         $50 buys a week of gas to get residents to work, school, appointments

·         $25 provides a family with new bath towels

As an added incentive, my husband and I will match the first $3,000 in donations to my campaign.  I hope you will consider not only giving but giving generously to help me support this excellent cause.

If you prefer to mail a check, please include Abby Burrus in the memo line and send it to the following address:

Catholic Charities

437 N. Topeka

Wichita, KS 67202

“Think of giving not as a duty, but as a privilege.” - John D. Rockefeller Jr.