LARNED – The Larned State Hospital sponsored a Giving Back Day recently for United Way of Central Kansas.
Larned State Hospital, spearheaded by Thomas Kinlen, LSH superintendent; Angela Wilhite, assistant; and Kerri Barnard, human resources director, set up a day to recognize each organization and the value they have to their community. Larned State Hospital officials are really working with us.”
“I felt that this would be an excellent way for our staff to be aware of opportunities to volunteer for or contribute to various services that impact their specific communities,” said Thomas Kinlen, Larned State Hospital superintendent. “Additionally, I thought this would be a helpful way for staff to learn about various organizations that assist community members in a myriad of ways.”
Kinlen said Larned State Hospital employees and staff learned valuable information about their United Way agencies.
“They learned that there are many organizations in the surrounding areas that provide valuable services — services that perhaps they or someone they know  could either volunteer for or possibly use. Every little bit truly does matter.”
Julie Bugner Smith, United Way of Central Kansas director, said Larned State Hospital and United Way teamed up to educate staff on ways they can give back to their community.  
“We are very excited to partner with LSH and educate the staff on the 21 agencies and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that we support, and show how they affect the community,” said Smith. “We appreciate their efforts for putting this event together and look forward to a positive relationship in future years. With 99 percent staying local, the United Way is able to help individuals and ensures the services that build stronger families, provide health care, food, intervention, prevention and treatment for those in need.”
Groups and organizations represented at Larned State Hospital were United Way, Pawnee Co. Health Department, United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas, Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, Child Abuse Prevention, Family Crisis Center, Golden Belt Home Health, Pawnee County Humane Society, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Catholic Social Services, Habitat for Humanity, Caring Hands Daycare, RSVP, Orphan Grain Train, Prairie Land Food, 20th Judicial District Teen Court, Lions Club, Elder Care and CASA.
United Way of Central Kansas supports the American Red Cross, Barton Co. Youth Care,  Barton Co., Young Men’s Org., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barton and Pawnee County, Boy Scouts, Caring Hands Day Care, Catholic Social Service, Central Kansas CASA, Child Abuse Prevention Education, Eldercare, Family Crisis Center, Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, Great Bend Children’s Learning Center, Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, RSVP, Salvation Army, Teen Court, United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Larned and Ellinwood.