LARNED — The Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) Foundation wanted to demonstrate its support for local young people and their families as they adapt to COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. The result is more than 900 sensory kits being delivered to all students in Fort Larned USD 495 and Pawnee Heights USD 496, explained Julie Bugner-Smith, Foundation director.
The kits include stress balls for those in high school; sensory bracelets for the middle school; and fidget strings for youngsters in elementary schools.
“A special thank-you goes to the PVCH Auxiliary,” Bugner-Smith said. “These great volunteers donated sensory board games that were delivered to elementary classrooms.
“This much-appreciated Auxiliary gift comes from memorial funds in Ann Gatterman’s name,” Bugner-Smith noted. “What a wonderful way to honor Ann, who contributed so much to our community.”
Gatterman had a passion for everything she did - whether it was volunteering for the Auxiliary, teaching, doing yard work, laughing with friends and, most of all, sharing time with her family, Bugner-Smith related.
Each sensory kit also contains a list of apps to download.
“These apps can help our local students deal with stress during this pandemic,” Bugner-Smith explained. “They come recommended by school counselors.
“Students of all ages have had to adjust to an ever-changing environment in their communities, homes and schools,” she added. “This service project is just a small token of acknowledgment that we care about each and every one of them.”
Country Living of Larned also contributed funds for the project and Office Products Inc. donated the printing costs.
The Culture Committee at The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus played a big role in collecting items for the kits, Bugner-Smith noted.
Brooke Harting, committee member, said “I have a child in the Pawnee County school system. Like many other parents, I see the toll the uncertainty has taken on children. We want them all to know we are thinking of them and they are important to us.
“I am so grateful for the community we serve,” she added. “We can always count on local residents’ willingness to help their neighbors.”
Harting added that she appreciates the efforts of Bugner-Smith and Kimi Bowman, another committee member.
Bowman said the entire committee got on board with this project “to support students during these difficult times. Julie Bugner-Smith took charge and brought all this together. Brooke Harting offered a lot of good ideas to make this happen.”
Harting and Bowman emphasized that other committee members played equal parts in getting the job done.
