2025 Hall of Fame Awards

Tim Shultz began his service to KCSL as a Trustee of the KCSL Foundation in 2017 and joined KCSL’s Board of Directors in 2019. Throughout his tenure, he has provided invaluable support on employment-related matters and served as board chair during KCSL’s post-COVID transition. Tim played a key role in guiding policies and procedures. He consistently helped executive leadership think through complex challenges.

He also provided critical leadership during a difficult private adoption case, guiding mediation efforts and helping finalize a plan that prioritized the child. Tim’s deep care for children and families is evident in everything he does—from boardroom decisions to helping a mother manage her four young children at the Red Stocking Breakfast in Topeka. Tim is a passionate advocate for children and a steadfast supporter of KCSL’s mission, to protect and promote the well-being of children.

The 2025 Staff Achievement Award is presented to Mariah Lunson, who has worked at KCSL for over 25 years. Mariah played a pivotal role in developing what is now known as KCSL’s Center for Restorative Education—transforming it from a pilot program into a life-changing service for students facing long-term suspension, expulsion or difficulty maintaining in a traditional school setting.

Under her leadership, the program evolved into a comprehensive support system where students not only keep up with academic credits but also build critical thinking and life skills. Most of the youth served face serious challenges such as substance abuse, mental illness or behavioral issues. Thanks to Mariah’s commitment, the program has grown from two staff members to a robust team including a certified teacher, a social worker and support staff—and consistently exceeds state outcomes for graduation rates among suspended or expelled youth.

Mariah’s vision, dedication and compassion have left an enduring legacy at KCSL and in the lives of the youth she serves.

Since 1995, Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (FHLBank) has been a committed partner of KCSL. In addition to supporting KCSL’s Red Stocking Breakfast each year, FHLBank has made generous financial donations and helped provide backpacks and school supplies for children starting school. As an organization focused on financial services across a four-state region, FHLBank’s continued commitment to prioritizing KCSL reflects its belief in our approach to serving Kansas families.

Through partnerships with local lenders, FHLBank helps provide mortgage, small business and farm loans to grow communities while also investing in affordable housing initiatives. As one of only 11 federal home loan banks in the nation, FHLBank shares KCSL’s belief that early interventions lead to lasting positive outcomes. Their support aligns with KCSL’s motto, Stronger Families Start Here, which fosters long-term success through family and community-based approaches.

FHLBank’s charitable giving focuses on its mission, amplifies its business partners’ engagement and improves the quality of life in Topeka and surrounding communities. KCSL fits perfectly within FHLBank’s Family and Wellbeing and Quality of Life and Culture pillars, which aim to improve the lives of individuals and strengthen communities.

Sara Delgadillo exemplifies resilience, leadership and a commitment to breaking cycles of trauma. A single mother of four, Sara’s journey began with significant hardships, including being houseless and losing custody of her children. After completing inpatient treatment, Sara regained custody of her daughters and began rebuilding her life with support from KCSL.

With determination, Sara achieved sobriety, secured stable housing and is now pursuing a Licensed Practical Nurse degree as she continues advancing her career. KCSL played a key role in her journey, offering guidance, encouragement and access to vital resources that helped her create a stronger, more connected family. In 2024, Sara received national recognition as the Healthy Families America Parent Graduate of the Year for her incredible progress and dedication.

Today, she uses her story to inspire other parents, proving that with support and perseverance, it’s possible to create a better future for generations to come.

Stan Teeter first became involved with KCSL as an honorary co-chair, along with his late wife, Jody, for the Building Better Futures for Children capital campaign. It raised nearly $3.2 million to create the Bette and Mark Morris Center for Children and Families in Topeka. Stan’s became involved through his long friendship with the Morris family and Jody’s role on KCSL’s Community Leadership and Development Council.

Following the campaign’s success, Stan continued his service on both the KCSL Board of Directors and KCSL Foundation Board of Trustees. His financial expertise, especially as a member of the Foundation’s investment committee, played a key role in strengthening KCSL’s long-term sustainability.

Stan’s dedication, leadership and generous contributions of time and talent have helped expand KCSL’s reach and improve the lives of countless children across Kansas. He will conclude his final term in April 2025, leaving a legacy of service and commitment.

With over 30 years of human service experience, Dona has built a legacy of leadership, innovation and compassion. She began her career as an income eligibility worker, helping families access the concrete support they needed to thrive.

Her passion for children with special needs led her to champion for children and adults with disabilities to live in the least restrictive environments possible. During this time, Dona worked with parents who wanted to keep their children at home but needed support to do so. She helped develop home and community-based service programs that prevented institutional placement of children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

She later moved into child welfare, where she focused on keeping children safely with their families. As a leader at the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), she launched a pilot project that reinvested resources into child abuse prevention services. Many of those programs still exist in the Topeka area, and KCSL manages them today.

Topping off her professional career, Dona left public service and came to KCSL to follow her passion for the prevention of child abuse. Under her leadership at KCSL, Dona expanded the Healthy Families America program, advanced the Essentials for Childhood/Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) initiative and brought back private domestic infant adoption services. She also advocated for a Kansas childcare tax credit for businesses, which passed after her retirement.

Dona left a lasting impression on the employees she supervised by always remembering their names, greeting them with a smile and holding all of us to high expectations. Those expectations drove KCSL’s continued success and upheld its legacy as an organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of children and families.