Blog

Empowering Communities: Washburn Athletics Partners with Envista

Washburn Athletics and Envista have joined forces to strengthen community outreach efforts, marking a significant step towards enhancing the lives of youth in the Topeka area. The partnership, officially launched on April 27th, is set to reimagine the way student-athletes engage with local schools and neighborhoods.

Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, president of Washburn University, expressed immense pride in the collaboration, stating, “Washburn is incredibly proud to partner with Envista as it invests in our student-athletes as well as youth in our local community. Envista’s support will allow us to involve more elementary and middle schools in the Topeka area and find additional ways to engage Washburn student-athletes. The impact of this program will be realized for years to come.”

At the heart of this partnership is Bods Care, a community outreach program initiated in 2018, which sees Washburn student-athletes making special visits to local elementary and middle schools. This academic year alone, they have reached out to 27 schools and interacted with over 12,000 children in the surrounding areas.

Ron Smeltzer, president and CEO of Envista, emphasized the shared commitment to mentorship, engagement, and education, stating, “Our partnership with Washburn Athletics, through the Bods Care initiative, signifies our joint commitment to empower future generations and positively contribute to the well-being of our community.”

The official launch of Bods Care, empowered by Envista, featured a celebration for Envista employees, their families, and a group of Washburn student-athletes. The event included games, food, and a short program highlighting the future plans for Bods Care.

Looking ahead, the partnership between Washburn Athletics and Envista promises even greater outreach. Val Williams, Envista's Assistant Vice President of Marketing, highlighted the company's commitment to investing in the community, stating, “We truly saw it as an opportunity to join forces and maximize the impact we could have together.”

This collaboration, months in the making, is set to expand further in the upcoming fall semester. Schools interested in joining the Bods Care schedule for the 2024-2025 academic year are encouraged to contact Washburn Athletics, as visits and events will resume at the start of the fall semester.

About Washburn University

Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with over 6,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. www.washburn.edu

About Envista Federal Credit Union

Envista Federal Credit Union helps members achieve their financial goals by providing quality products and services. Envista is a full-service financial institution established in 1957 that has approximately $540 million in total assets and serves more than 45,000 members with offices in Topeka, Lawrence, and Hutchinson. For more information visit www.envistacu.com