'Sign the Beam' Campaign Raises More Than $90,000 for COVID Relief Efforts

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas Citians came together to support their neighbors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, raising more than $90,000 in just over a week. Their contributions were tied to the “Sign the Beam” campaign led by Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate, its design-build partner, Clark | Weitz | Clarkson and the Kansas City Aviation Department, the partners managing construction of the New Terminal at Kansas City International Airport.

Hundreds of individuals took advantage of the opportunity to leave their mark on one of the final steel beams to be placed in the New Terminal. The campaign garnered more than 600 unique donations – ranging from $25 to $25,000 to support United Way of Greater Kansas City’s COVID-19 crisis recovery efforts. The average community contribution was $75.

Several key members of the New Terminal project team also made significant donations to the cause.

“Kansas City has proven time and again that it rallies when there is a need,” said Pat Klein, Kansas City director of aviation. “Since COVID-19 has forced us to keep a safe social distance, we thought a virtual beam signing to benefit our neighbors in need would be a meaningful way to mark the occasion. We were blown away by the generosity of those who answered the call.”

In the coming weeks, the names of the donors, and those honored through a donation, will be printed on decals and placed on a steel beam prior to its installation, signaling the completion of structural steel operations at the project. A “Topping Out” celebration is being planned for January 2021 to honor the craftworkers who have been working to advance the iconic project since design and construction efforts began in 2018.

Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate and project partners Clark Construction Group, The Weitz Company, Clarkson Construction Company (CWC), Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, J.E. Dunn Construction, Capital Electric and U.S. Engineering kicked off the Sign the Beam campaign with a combined $50,000 donation to the United Way. Steel subcontractors ADF Structural Steel and Contract Services Corporation, and the project’s mechanical/electrical/plumbing and low voltage engineer Henderson Engineers also made significant contributions of $5,000 to support relief efforts.

“Kansas Citians have a vested interest in their airport. Everyone working on the project has a sense of pride in creating a terminal that will be a terrific first impression for millions of visitors,” said Geoff Stricker, Edgemoor’s senior managing director. “The Edgemoor Team is committed to supporting the Kansas City community and this was a great opportunity for us to come together with our client and key project partners to help support a critical need in the community during an unprecedented time.”

As the campaign came to a close on Friday, December 11, $90,085 had been raised in the community for pandemic relief.

United Way of Greater Kansas City will use the funds to support COVID-19 assistance in these key areas:

• Childcare
• Healthcare Access
• Rent/Mortgage Assistance
• Utility Payment Assistance
• Case Management

“We are incredibly grateful to the Edgemoor Team and Kansas Citians who provided contributions toward COVID-19 relief in our community,” said Brent Stewart, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Kansas City. “The pandemic has significantly impacted so many of our friends and neighbors. There is a tremendous need. We encourage the community to continue these generous acts of kindness to provide resources to those who are facing a really tough holiday season ahead.”

For more information on United Way programs, visit: unitedwaygkc.org/stories/covid-assistance.

To follow the latest in construction on the New Terminal project, visit BuildKCI.com.