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Rosewood Aktion Club donates coloring books and crayons
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Rosewood Miracle Workers Aktion Club members and Clara Barton Hospital staff stand among the donations of coloring books and crayons recently donated to the Hoisington hospital and clinic. Pictured are, from left: Kurtis Coleman (RW), Jen Funk (CBH), Sydney Dolezal (CBH), April Gatton (CBH), Michelle Moshier (CBH), Angela Miller (CBH), Josh Trimmer (RW), Lauren Lamatsch (CBH), Tyler Michaelis (RW), Jessica Stefek (CBH), Macy Ingham (CBH), and Frankie Peslter (RW).

A Rosewood Miracle Workers Aktion Club community drive has resulted in spreading good cheer to children across Barton County and beyond. This year’s coloring book and crayon drive netted 458 coloring books and 604 boxes of crayons that have been delivered to Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington; University of Kansas Health System, Great Bend Campus; Ellinwood District Hospital; and St. Francis Community Services, Great Bend.

“We had such a tremendous drive during a very difficult year,” said Rosewood Aktion Club sponsor Frankie Pelster. “We outpaced last year’s successful drive, and that allowed us to donate to four organizations, covering Barton and neighboring counties. Our members are excited about their service project benefiting area children. They are so appreciative of everyone who donated to our community cause.”

For the second straight year, the coloring book drive turned into a fun competition as Rosewood Aktion Club challenged Rosewood employees to generate donations for the drive. Community donations were counted in the Aktion Club’s collection, while Rosewood employees in Day Services, Residential and Administration each collected coloring books and crayons for their respective teams. Day Services won the competition, accounting for 177 coloring books and 235 boxes of crayons. Those numbers outpaced Aktion Club’s donation counts by just one item, as the club and community accounted for 195 coloring books and 216 boxes of crayons. 

The simple act of donating coloring books and crayons has a significant impact on young patient experiences, according to Clara Barton Hospital and Clinic officials.

“Whether it’s on the hospital floor or in our clinics, we strive for great patient experiences and it’s the little things like a coloring book and crayons that could make a child’s day while they are here,” explained Michelle Moshier, director of Clara Barton Hospital Foundation. “This is going to help us deliver on our great patient experience.”

Added Sydney Dolezal, director of public relations for Clara Barton Hospital, “It’s so nice of Rosewood Aktion Club to think of us and our young patients. We do a lot of children’s surgeries and we see a lot of them in our clinics. These donations give us more of an opportunity to make their day a little brighter.” 

Rosewood Aktion Club is an affiliate of the national Kiwanis organization that promotes service in action for people with developmental disabilities. The area club allows Rosewood representatives to be actively involved in the community and to positively impact the lives of others.