The Great Bend High School Kayettes will sponsor a “black-out” for United Way of Central Kansas during the Oct. 12 football game against arch rival Hays at GBHS’s Memorial Stadium. However, orders for the black event T-shirts are being taken now, said UWCK Executive Director Julie Bugner-Smith.
The shirts are selling for $10 and $15 for sizes 2XL to 5XL. Youth sizes are also available in medium and large.
Orders can be placed by Oct. 4 at GBHS or the United Way office located in the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce building at 1125 Williams. Pickup for shirts will be from 3:30-6 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 at the school, and from 6-7 p.m. Oct. 12  prior to the game at the stadium.   
Smith said businesses that want to sponsor the black-out and have their logo on the shirt, can contact the Kayettes at the high School or the United Way by Oct. 1.
Checks are to be made out to United Way of Central Kansas and are a tax deductible contribution.
“The board of directors, co-chairs and I are thrilled that the Kayettes are involved helping the United Way to reach it’s 2013 goal,” Smith said. “They are setting a great example  by  being community leaders and making a difference in their community.”
All the money raised via the black-out will go to benefit the 21 agencies served by UWCK.  
“It takes all of us to help out each other,” Smith said. “Leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses.”
Sponsors for Kayettes are Karen Clark and Barbara Harris. Smith thanked them along with Unified School District 428 Activities Director David Meter for supporting the fundraiser and the Kayettes for all their hard work.
The goal for the 2013 campaign is of $235,00. Of that, Smith stressed that 99 percent stays in the community.