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Rosewood AKTION Club Completes Successful Coloring Book Drive
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Group Effort Nearly 30 Rosewood Miracle Worker AKTION Club members mingle with St. Francis Community Services employees while presenting coloring books and crayons to the Great Bend organization. In the foreground is St. Francis supervisor Lanie Trendel accepting the donation from Rosewood AKTION Club president Josh Trimmer.

Rosewood Miracle Workers AKTION Club recently completed a successful coloring book and crayon drive to benefit children within the community. As a result, more than 50 new boxes of crayons and coloring books were delivered to Barton County Health Department and to St. Francis Community Services, Great Bend.

“We’ll be able to give the coloring books and crayons to children who get their shots or to those who just seem like they need them,” said Barton County public health officer Shelly Schneider. “Our budget is so tight that we aren’t able to provide fun items like these, so this is an exciting gift that we get to pass along to the kids of Barton County.”

The coloring books and crayons are a small donation to the Health Department, which sees about 1,000 people a month – half of them children, but Schneider said her organization truly appreciates the effort from Rosewood AKTION Club and those who donated to the cause because “every little bit helps a great deal.”

Nearly 30 Rosewood AKTION Club members came to deliver the coloring books and crayons to St. Francis on a warm fall Friday afternoon. While the scene was somewhat chaotic, it put a smile on the face of Lanie Trendel, supervisor for St. Francis, Great Bend. 

“The fact that they are giving back and want to give back is truly amazing,” said Trendel. “They are so generous in their spirit and effort and we will definitely put the crayons and coloring books to good use.”

Caring for foster children in Barton County is a serious undertaking for Trendel and her staff of 30 at the Great Bend location. Currently there are about 125 children out of their homes in Barton County, she said. Trendel added that her organization is in need of more foster families. People can call her office at (620) 793-7454, if they are interested in finding out more.

Rosewood Aktion Club is an affiliate of the national Kiwanis organization that promotes service in action for people with developmental disabilities. The area club allows Rosewood clients to be actively involved in the community and to positively impact the lives of others.

“Our AKTION Club members feel good about contributing to the community with this coloring book drive,” said Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor Frankie Pelster. “They are excited that they have made a difference for families and children and now they are eager to start another project. Thank you to everyone who donated and made our drive successful.”