LARNED – The Fort Larned Foundation for Education is sponsoring two fundraising events appealing to runners, walkers and golfers June 4-5.
Entries are still being sought for the 5th Fort Larned Foundation four-person scramble tournament Sunday, June 5 at Larned Country Club. To register a team, contact Jennifer Anderson at (620) 285-3185; or Larned Country Club, (620) 285-3935.
The Ft. Larned Foundation for Education is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 2006 to support educational projects for USD 495 schools. The Foundation provides an avenue for grant opportunities and private donations which benefit USD 495 students in their pursuit of excellence through grants to educators, scholarships and other opportunities which will expand student achievement.
Anderson said donations and fundraising raises money for scholarships, mini-grants for USD 495 teachers and other notable projects.
The mini-grants provide an opportunity for teachers to purchase materials or update outdated information. The following grants were awarded:      Hayley Dicks – Student Take Home Bags, Lea Harding on behalf of Phinney Teachers – 1st & 2nd Grade Listening Centers, Heidi Ribordy – Speakers & Transparencies, Barb King – Student Reading Magazine Subscriptions, Jill Milhon – Speakers & Centers, Diana Webster – Vocal Music, Kevin Kneisley – Materials to build an Electrical Lab, Jennifer Fitzpatrick – Chemicals for Science Labs, Rosa Blattner – Character Education Books for Elementary Libraries.
“It’s a great way to support the teachers,” said Jennifer Anderson, USD 495 assistant superintendent. “The teachers come up with some great ideas.”
Individuals or classes that have reunions provide donations, which are generally tax deductible.
“Donations also allow the Fort Larned Foundation to help with special projects,” she said. “We’ve been able to help Larned Middle School purchase security cameras and a projector.”
The Foundation helped facilitate the installation of a new football sprinkler system. Another donor, Marge Page, targeted her donation for Westside School.
• A Fun Run-Walk is scheduled Saturday, June 4 starting with a fun run at 9 a.m. followed by a 5K run at 9:30 a.m.
Pawnee Valley Sport and Spine Physical Therapy and Pawnee Valley Medical Associates have organized the race as a fundraiser to purchase new football helmets at Larned High School. Safety concern about football concussions prompted Pawnee Valley officials to step forward with the fundraising idea.
“Pawnee Valley approached us and has organized everything,” Anderson said.
Registration is available at Pawnee Valley Medical Associates, 713 W. 11th Street. 5K age categories are 7 and under, 8-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. Students are $15 and 18 and over are $20. The one-mile race is $10. The races start and finish at 713 W. 11th.
• The Fort Larned Foundation golf tournament is $200 for four-player teams. Registration and the driving range starts at 8 a.m. A shotgun start is 9 a.m. Lunch will be served and prizes and drawings will be available. Midwest Bus is sponsoring the lunch. Pawnee Valley Sport and Spine Physical Therapy is sponsoring the green fees.
“We’ve enjoyed good sponsorship so far and now all we need is more teams to sign up,” Anderson said.
Foundation Scholarships are set up through the Golden Belt Community Foundation, which helps earn a maximum interest rate. Scholarships are Baird Family, Doyle Foster, Robert “Bobby” Foster and Victor Scholarship.
Anderson said the Foundation helps assist private donors support our students in their achievements by investing in the future of USD 495 students.
“Quality schools affect every part of our community, from property values and population growth to the quality of life and desirability of neighborhoods,” she said.