Kansas Children’s Service League Christmas for their Families

Pilot Club members who assisted with the Kansas Children’s Service League Christmas Party on December 12, 2023 are: Chris Rippel, Amy Mayhew, Betty Schneider, Vicki Richardson, Marcia Johnson, Rhonda Knudson and Mary Ann June. In front is Santa (Chet Cale) and Connie Cale. VIcki and Connie work for Kansas Children’s Service as well as being Pilots. The families were taken by bus to see the Christmas lights, had supper, met Santa and received a gift.

BABIES & Little Tykes Day Out

The event was sponsored by Kansas Children’s Service League on November 8, 2023 at the Great Bend City Auditorium from 10am to 2pm. The free event was for families with children ages 0-3 in Barton, Rush, Pawnee and Stafford Counties. There were multiple booths with community resources, learning activities, the Imagination Playground, helmets from the Pilot Club, alpacas from Heartland Farm, games and many prizes.

Betty Schneider demonstrates how the strap from the helmet should fit under the chin. The little girl is wearing a helmet fitted for her at the event. Some of the booths are pictured in the background.

19 helmets were fitted for children attending the event. Pilots fitting the helmets were (front) Betty Schneider and Mary Ann June, (back) Barbara Watson and Daniel Watson. Rhonda Knudson and Vicki Richardson (organizer) were also in attendance.

Ros Neeland (Pilot member) assisted young children who played on the Imagination Playground.

Pilots assisted the Healthy Families with supper at their graduation class.

Great Bend Pilots who assisted for the supper for the Healthy families graduation are: Celia Wells, Betty Schneider, Marcia Johnson, Rox Neeland, Malissa Zimmer, Sandra VanBebber, Connie Cale and Vicki Richardson. Connie & Vicki both work at Healthy Families.

Graduating students at the Healthy Families supper.

Great Bend Pilots donate hygiene products to the GBHS closet for use by students.

Great Bend Pilot Club collected & donated items to the Great Bend Hygiene Closet. Left to right: Marty Aldrich, KathyDdavis, Vicki Richardson, Joyce Beadles-Fry, Rhonda Knudson, Jari Marietta & Betty Schneider.

Pilot members took one hour shifts to help collect items for sruff the bus.

Pilots Betty Schneider and Rhonda Knudson help collect items for the Stuff the Bus project at Walmart. Items for school children were collect at Dillions also. Multiple pilots took shifts at both sites to help stuff the bus.

PILOTS VOLUNTEER TO FILL FOOD BAGS FOR THE ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN , MARCH 25, 2023

The Orphan Grain Train is a Christian volunteer network that ships donated food, clothing, medical & other needed items to people in 69 different countries including the US. The first Kansas Mercy Meal project was a success. The Orphan Grain Train semi-trailer was filled to capacity when it left the Larned collection center bound for the home base in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Volunteers filled bags with dehydrated soy, chicken base, dehydrated vegetable & rice in a bag, then weighed & sealed the bags for shipment. Our team was called the Crazy Train which incuded Connie Cale, Vicki Richardson, Betty Schneider and Ros Neeland. Ros’s family, including her grand children, husband, daughter & son-in-law completed the team. We filled 16 bags to a box & 14 boxes all total. Each bag feeds 6 people. The goal for the day was 50,000 bags. Nancy Rogers worked all afternoon filling in where there were not enough team member. Celia Well (our newest Pilot) volunteered on another team.

Orphan Grain Train semi-trailer was filled with bags of meals.

Crazy Train members: (left) Connie Cale, Ros Neeland, (right) Emerson, Oliver, Hillary & Betty Schneider filling food bags.

Pilots: Betty Schneider, Roz Neeland, Vicki Richardson, Nancy Rogers, & Connie Cale. Celia Wells (not pictured) volunteered at the Orphan Grain Train on another team.

GREAT BEND PILOTS DONATE $200 TO THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM AT GREAT BEND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Barbara Watson (president), Vicki Richardson (projects coordinator), Marty Aldrich (treasurer), Judy Fox (Projects member) & Marcia Johnson (projects coordinator) present Amy Mayhill with a $200 check to support the summer reading pogram. Amy is a Pilot as well in charge of the children’s reading programs at the Public library

PILOTS SERVE THE MEAL, HELP WITH CRAFTS & READ TO CHILDREN AT OUR FAMILIES VALENTINE'S PARTY

Ruthann Friedman & Linn Hogg

Vicki Richardson serves water to family members

Betty Schneider & Connie Cale serve sundaes to children at valentine’s party

Roz Neeland reads to the children.

Jari Marietta suggests age appropriate books to a mother at the party

Chriss Rippel, Betty Schneider, Vicki Richardson, Barbara Watson, Daniel Watson, Marcia Johnson & Connie Cale.

STOCKING ARE STUFFED FOR THE OUR FAMILIES CHILDREN

(left) Marilyn Kopke, Connie Cale, Mary Cramer, Marty Aldrich, Nancy Schuetz, & (right) Mary Ann June, Nancy Rogers & MyrnaSchrepel stuff stockings for the Our families Christmas party.

ITEMS DONATED FOR THE HYGIENE CLOSET AT GREAT BEND HIGH SCHOOL

Mary Cramer. Sandra Henry (Heartland District Tresurer), Kathy Davis, Barbara Watson, Renee Johnson, Marcia Johnson, Marty Aldrich & Jari Marietta. Roz Neeland seated.

PILOTS VOLUNTEER FOR THE ALZHEIMERS WALK AT JACK KILBY SQUARE, OCTOBER , 2022

(back) Vicki Richardson, Kathie Luke, Mary Ann June, Joyce Beadles-Fry, Rhonda Knudson, Mary Doherty, Mary Cramer, Ruth Ann Friedman, Betty Schneider. (front) Sheri Williams, Amy Mayhill & Marcia Johnson

Ruthann Friedrick, Kathy Luke & Joyce Beadls-Fry fight to end Alzheimer’s

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, SATURDAY OCTOBER 16, 2021 AT JACK KILBY SQUARE IN GREAT BEND

In 2020 about 5.8 million people were living with Alzheimer’s. The number of people living with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. This number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million by 2060. Here are some simple facts: Purple is the officail color for Alz. and stands for someone who died from the disease. BLue stands for I have Alz. Yellow stands for I am supporting or caring for someone with Alz. Orange stands for I am supporting the cause and the Alzheimer’s Association’s vision of a world witout Alzheimer’s. The new white flower symbolizes hope that there will be a cure for this disease.The Promise Garden contains 4 colored flowers: purple, blue, orange and yellow. Each participaant carries a colored flower while they walk. These flowers symbolize a promise to remember, to honor,to care and to fight for those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and the people who care for them.

Vicki Richardson, Mary Cramer and Betty Schneider standing in the Promise Garden after they put together all the flowers for the garden.

Vicki Richardson, Mary Cramer and Betty Schneider standing in the Promise Garden after they put together all the flowers for the garden.

A check for $270 was presented to Denise Vann (Alzheimer’s Outreach Coordinator from Wichita) by Betty Schneider, Vicki richardson and Mary Cramer. This amount was half of the money raised from the Applebee’s fundraiser.

A check for $270 was presented to Denise Vann (Alzheimer’s Outreach Coordinator from Wichita) by Betty Schneider, Vicki richardson and Mary Cramer. This amount was half of the money raised from the Applebee’s fundraiser.

Mercedes Helms holding the new white flower of Home.

Mercedes Helms holding the new white flower of Home.

Nancy in the Promise Garden.

Nancy in the Promise Garden.

Janice in the Promise garden.

Janice in the Promise garden.

A REMEMBERENCE FOR DEVIN - SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH

September is suicide awareness month. The purpose is to draw attention to the increased number of suicides in our society, especially in teenagers. Suicide awareness helps provide resources and tools to help people who are struggling with thought of suicide and help them identify the approopriate resources to hlep them from taking their own life.. This is a time to remember those affected by suicide, not just the person who committed suicide. Parents, siblings, and friends all need our attention, help, respect and love.too. Devin’s ride with over 150 riders on bikes, skooters, golf carts and a motorcycle helped honor Devin and awareness of suicide.

Pilot members were available to fit helmets for children, teenagers and several adults who didn’t have a helmet. Providing helmets for anyone who rides a bike or skooter and dosen’t own one is part of the Pilot initative to prevent brain trauma.

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Pilots at Devin’s Ride are (back) Rhonda Knudson, Daniel Watson and Vicki Richardson. (front) Betty Schneider, Barbara Watson and Billie Bonomo.

Pilots at Devin’s Ride are (back) Rhonda Knudson, Daniel Watson and Vicki Richardson. (front) Betty Schneider, Barbara Watson and Billie Bonomo.

GREAT BEND PILOTS PARTICIPATE IN THE CHAMBER/USD 428 BUSINESS SHOWCASE

PILOTS PROIDED INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR MISSION, PROJECTS AND UPCOMING AUTISM WORKSHOP APRIL 9, 2022 WITH PEOPLE ATTENDING THE COWCASE. NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND CONTACTS WERE MADE AS WELL AS RENEWING OLD FRIENDSHIPS. SOME PARTERSHIPS WERE FORMED FOR FUTURE EVENTS. MANY PILOTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS SHOWCASE.

Pilots behind their booth are Rhonda Knudson, Daniel Watson, Betty Schneider, (seated) Barbara watson and Joyce Beadles-Fry.

Pilots behind their booth are Rhonda Knudson, Daniel Watson, Betty Schneider, (seated) Barbara watson and Joyce Beadles-Fry.

Participants visiting Pilot Club’s booth and signing up for prizes,

Participants visiting Pilot Club’s booth and signing up for prizes,

YOUTH CREW: NEW PROGRAM FOR YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY

Youth Crew is a new coalition, open to students in grades 6-12 who want to be involvedproviden service to inprove their community. Youth Crew is a new organization within Central Kansas Partership directed by Marissa Woodmansee, director of Juvenile Services, with the support from Barton County Health Department and pilot Club of Great Bend.

Seven youths with their sponsors are shown with the bags of trash they collected Wednesday morning, August 11, 2021 at Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.  Betty Schneider (back right) from Pilot Club of Great Bend provided water and snacks for the group.

Seven youths with their sponsors are shown with the bags of trash they collected Wednesday morning, August 11, 2021 at Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo. Betty Schneider (back right) from Pilot Club of Great Bend provided water and snacks for the group.

FAMILY FUN BICYCLE RIDE - SATURDAY JULY 10TH 8:00-9:00 AM

This event was held at the Barton County Fairgrounds located 2.5 miles west on 10TH ST. Free bicycle helmets were fitted to individuals of all ages by the Pilot Club members. There was a bike check-up station, a bike route drawn on the concrete for participants to ride their bikas on and a bicycle registration Booth sppnsored by Great Bend Police Department to registetr individual children’s bikes.

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Pilot Club members participating in the bicycle ride are (back) Vickie Richardson, Barbara Watson, Betty Schneider, (front) Ruthann Friedrich and Marcia Johnson.

Barbara Watson and Vicki Richardson fitting idential helmets on brothers.

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A young girl having difficulty deciding which helmet she wanted.

Bicycles were checked to make sure there was enough air in the tires.

BICYCLE HELMETS PROTECT THE BRAIN FROM INJURY

May is bicycle safety month. Great Bend Piloits encourage everyone to wear a properly fitted helmet to protect their brain whenthey ride their bikes. Approximately 40% of all bicycle related deaths are due to head injuries and 3/4s of all bicycle related head injuries occur among children 14 years or under. Follow the 2x2x2 rule for a properly fitted helmet.

Students with perfect attendance in all the Great Bend Elementary schools were give brand new bicycles as a reward for their perfect attendance. COVID-19 didn’t keep these students from attending school. Great Bend Pilot Club gave each student a new helmet to go with their new bicycle. Pilots adjusted these helmets for a proper fit for each child using the 2x2x2 rule.

Stick with cycle safety: 1. PROTECT YOUR HEAD -Always wear a properly fitted helmet; 2. OBEY TRAFFIC LAWS - Bicyclists must follow the same road rules as drivers; 3. FSTAY ALERT - Don’t talk on the phone or listen to music while riding; 4. AVOID RIDING AT NIGHT - If you must ride at night, use adequage light to avoid hazards; 5. STAY VISIBLE - Wear bright colored clothing so others can see you; 6. USE HAND SIGNALS - Signal other bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians.


Jefferson children with perfect attendance show off their new bicycles and helmets.

Jefferson children with perfect attendance show off their new bicycles and helmets.

Pilots who adjusted the helmets for the children from Jefferson are Betty Schneider, Joyce Beadles-Fry,   Nancy Schuetz, & Barbara and Daniel Watson.

Pilots who adjusted the helmets for the children from Jefferson are Betty Schneider, Joyce Beadles-Fry, Nancy Schuetz, & Barbara and Daniel Watson.

Vicki Richardson, Daniel Watson, Barbara Watson and Maty Aldrich fit      helmets at Riley School for children with perfect attendance.

Vicki Richardson, Daniel Watson, Barbara Watson and Maty Aldrich fit helmets at Riley School for children with perfect attendance.

Autism Awareness Acceptance Letter was signed at the Barton County Commission Meeting April 5th

Ruthann Friedrich, Sharon Mauler, Rhonda Knudson, Betty Schneider, Ros Neeland and Alyson Burkhart and Star, the new facility dog at Sunflower Diversified, were present for the signing of Autism Acceptance letter and to support Ros Neeland who gave an informative and heartfelt presentation about Autism and the effects of Autism on the individual’s family & community.

Autism Spectrum Disorders refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. Caregivers, focus on helping their child with ASD, which may put stress on marriages, other children, work, finances and personal relationships and responsibilities as time and resources are directed to treatment and interventions for their child with Autism, to the exclusion of other priorities.

World Autism Acceptance Day is recognized on April 2, by a Presidential proclamation in the United States of America.

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Alyson Burkhart introduced Star, Sunflower Diversified’s new facility dog to the commissioners on April 5th at their meeting.

GREAT BEND PILOTS ALONG WITH OTHER GREAT BEND AGENCIES HELP OUR TENT PEOPLE

Amy Ferguson waiting to hand off the sleeping bag to Nathan (Tent person)

Amy Ferguson waiting to hand off the sleeping bag to Nathan (Tent person)

Vicki Richardson and Betty Schneider went with Amy Ferguson to visit the Tent People at their living area by the bridge to find out what they needed to make their living conditions more habitable. They told us what they needed and we set out to help them. Two boxes of winter coats, sweatshirts, long sleeved shirts, hats & scarves were donated by Birthright. A collapsible chair for outdoors was provided by Betty and a new tent with a floor was donated by Rhonda Knudson after the wind destroyed one of the tents. The weather was turning colder and 2 people needed cold weather sleeping bags. With funds from Emergency Aide with Nancy Sundahl’s help, two Coleman sleeping bags for zero temperature were purchased and delivered by Vicki & Amy. The next problem to be solved was how to keep the cold wet ground from seeping up into the sleeping bags. Betty made 6 x 4 x 2 foot waterproof mats for under the sleeping bags which were delivered by Amy. Birthright also donated long socks and more caps. Multiple agencies and Pilots worked together to make their living conditions better. People working together can make anything possible.

Mats made by Betty, they fold in thirds to make easier carrying & storing.

Mats made by Betty, they fold in thirds to make easier carrying & storing.

NOVEMBER 8th - 14th INTERNATIONAL CARE & KINDNESS WEEK

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Nancy Schuetz & Ruthann Friedman place appreciation labels on the popcorn.

The second week of November has been named International Care & Kindness Week. It was created to bring awareness to show how simple acts can change a day , a life, or the world by simply showing someone you care. During this special week, Pilots engage in numerous activities to emphasize and encourage kindness, caring and general good will to all.

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Pilots present popcorn bags with an appreciation message to the staff at the Center for Counseling during Care & Kindness week. Pictured are Nancy Schuetz, Center staff member, Barbara Watson, Daniel Watson, Nicci Henderson, Ruthann Friedrich, and two Center staff members. Rhonda Knudson, photographer) also helped with this project.