Wichita Committee of 100 Fund assists those who protect and serve

During a traffic pursuit, a state trooper gets critically injured. While putting out a fire, a firefighter experiences a heart attack. When investigating a crime, a police officer is fatally shot. These are some of the dangerous and unexpected situations that public safety officers run into while in the line of duty. 

When officers in our community are struck by catastrophic circumstances, the Wichita Committee of 100 Fund at WF steps in to lend a helping hand. For more than three decades, the committee has supported local officers and their families. 

“These officers are there for our community, ready to protect and serve,” said Board Chairman of the Wichita Committee of 100 Fund Mark Hansen. He is also the General Manager of Resthaven Mortuary, the business who first established the committee in 1991. 

"The Wichita Committee of 100 Fund's purpose is to financially help public safety officers working in Sedgwick County that are injured or have fallen in the line of duty."  

After an incident occurs on the frontlines, there can be a delay before benefits kick in. The Wichita Committee of 100 Fund, a WF fund holder, works with the Honore Adversis Foundation to review each case and immediately assist the injured officer and their families in a time of crisis or financial hardship.

“We wanted to be a group that can… get them through the next weeks or months after the event happens,” said Hansen. “It’s a chance to help them out with expenses until they can return to normalcy.” 

WF oversees the administration of the fund, providing fund management support to the committee, and maximizing their impact to its fullest extent. Hansen notes that their investments with WF have grown to where the fund is now self-sustaining, allowing them to accomplish their mission. 

“We know it’s a tough job and there is a group of citizens that stand behind them… for taking life risks to keep the citizens of Sedgwick County safe and secure,” said Hansen. “The Wichita Committee of 100 Fund is just a way for the community to say we appreciate them.”