Recently, the Pilot club of Great Bend initiated nine new and returning members to their club. 

The new members include Amada Staab, Maryann June, Myrna Schrepel, Dianne Willsden, Christy Suchy, Sherri Williams, Karen Schraeder, Mary Doherty and Connie Cale.

The Pilot club of Great Bend and Pilot International is a volunteer service organization offering its members vast opportunities to make a positive difference in the community and globally as they build lasting friendships in their clubs. Pilot Club volunteers conduct programs, projects, fundraisers, and Caregiver “Pick Me Ups” that include many areas of local charitable service.

In addition, Pilot Clubs support the overall service focus of Pilot International: brain safety, brain research, and assistance to those with brain-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, chemical dependency, traumatic brain injuries, brain cancer, Autism and numerous other developmental, emotional and mental disabilities.

Local service projects have emphasis on Brain injury prevention and brain safety from giving away bike helmets, and booster seats, to the Autism Spectrum disorder workshop, Strategies for Children with Autism at Home and in the Classroom to be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at Barton Community College. This workshop is open to the public. Educators, professionals, caregivers and families affected by Autism. In addition, they have been for many years been a major county sponsor of the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s”, support the Great Bend High School and the Barton Community college student pantry’s, the Barton County Food Bank, the local library reading program and other similar projects through the year.

The clubs major fundraising project of the year is their geranium sales. They also have a few smaller community and inter-club fundraiser and drawings. These activities make it possible to not have local club membership dues.