LARNED — The Camp Pawnee Revitalization Project and Larned Pride conducted a successful benefit all-you-can-eat soup lunch recently at the J.A. Haas Exhibit Building. The menu featured chicken and noodles, ham and beans, stew and dessert.The Pawnee Valley Community Hospital contributed $1,000 to help exceed the $2,000 goal with $3,257 donated. Free-will donations provided matching funds for a $2,000 donation from United Way of Central Kansas, which is working with Larned Pride. Business donations are also accepted.
“It went really well and we reached our goal,” said Jenny Manry, Pride member. “The hospital donated $1,000, which helped us surpass our goal. The support we received from the community in a matching-fund effort shows they believe in the project. We had an extremely good turnout.”
Camp Pawnee is also in contention for a Kansas Wildlife and Parks grant, which would support various ongoing projects.
“United Way has graciously given us $2,000 towards the playground, requiring $2,000 in matching funds,” Manry said. “We appreciate that organizations, businesses, and individuals helped towards the project. This project will be a great opportunity for organizations, businesses, individuals, churches, youth groups to fellowship with one another. Every donation helped reach our matching fund goal of $2,000.”
Donations were also provided to the United Way through Marsha Reece in the Pawnee County Extension Office.
Current Camp Pawnee projects include a basketball court, a volleyball court, fishing dock, clubhouse renovations, new trees and a new playground.     
“2011 brought about tremendous success as the Pawnee County Community collaborated to see the Doerr-Vernon Park Renovation completed,” Manry said. “Today the park and splash pad stand as a testimony of what a community can accomplish when it works together. Larned Pride recognizes that much of the past success was related to the businesses, organizations, individuals, churches and congregations of Pawnee County.”
Manry said it is with that thought, that Larnd Pride unveils the 2012 community project: The Camp Pawnee Revitalization Project. Walking through the camp with volunteers and contractors has brought a wealth of childhood memories through stories recanted as adults.
“Larned Pride values the importance of family and community togetherness and feels that Camp Pawnee will serve as a place where children, adults, families, can visit and spend time with one another,” she said.