Students from Barton’s Central Kansas Upward Bound (CKUB) group volunteered with United Way of Central Kansas (UWCK) on Saturday. 

More than 20 students and staff assembled more than 400 crafts and children literacy kits for UWCK’s child literacy program. These items will be given to children in Barton and Pawnee counties to emphasize the importance of early childhood education. 

Executive Director of UWCK Gaila Demel said she was impressed by Barton and the Upward Bound students. 

“I’m so excited to have Barton students here helping us,” she said. “Having the students take part in this project is a great example of the community service they strive for.”  

Student Kristen Meier said she appreciated the opportunity to give back.

“I’m glad that we can do something to help,” she said. “I really enjoyed it.”

Director of CKUB Patrick Busch said working on this project was a good project for the students and the organization.

“We’re a community college so being involved in the community and helping others is a natural fit for our students,” he said.

About TRIO and CKUB

For millions of students from low-income families who strive to be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college, seven federally funded competitive grant programs called TRIO have been making a world of difference for over 50 years. TRIO services include tutoring, personal and financial counseling, college visits, college application, assistance in applying for financial aid, and other academic support. 

Barton Community College sponsors four TRIO programs that motivate and support students from low-income backgrounds including Student Support Services, Barton County Upward Bound, Central Kansas Upward Bound, and Educational Opportunity Center. These programs serve more than 1,600 students each year.