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2026 Operation Round Up awardees selected; more than $50,000 to be distributed
Nonprofits throughout eastern Kansas that serve community members in need will soon receive a total of more than $50,000 in contributions from Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative members through Heartland’s Operation Round Up program.
“It’s always impressive to see what a difference our members can make by contributing just a little bit of change every month,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO. “We continue to be proud of our board and our members for helping the neediest in their communities through this program.”
Through Operation Round Up, participating Heartland members’ electric bills are rounded up to the next dollar each month. The additional amount is collected and pooled into a fund for distribution to charitable organizations that provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and other direct services for those in need.
Funds collected through the Operation Round Up program are administered by a panel of volunteer trustees selected by the Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Directors from throughout Heartland’s 12-county service area.
Applications were accepted in October and November and were reviewed by the Operation Round Up Board of Trustees at its annual meeting on December 1.
Grant recipients for 2026 are listed below in alphabetical order. Each will receive between $800 and $2,400 in January, with a total of $50,400 distributed.
- Alliance of Churches for Christian Living – Chanute
- Beacon Food Pantry – Fort Scott
- Care to Share Cancer Support Group – Fort Scott
- Church of Christ Fontana – Heavenly Hotdogs Food Pantry – Fontana
- Columbus Christian Center – Manna Depot – Columbus
- Community Food Pantry – Girard
- Concern, Inc. – Mound City
- Elsmore United Methodist Church – Elsmore
- Erie Area Community Christmas Basket Fund – Erie
- Erie Federated Church – Erie
- First Assembly of God Baxter Springs – Hope Chest – Baxter Springs
- First Baptist Church – Cherokee
- First Baptist Church of Pleasanton – Pleasanton
- First Baptist Church of Riverton – Riverton
- First Christian Church – God’s Pantry – Chanute
- First Presbyterian Church of Iola – Iola
- First United Methodist Church – Columbus
- Friends of Library District #2 of Linn Co – La Cygne
- Galesburg Christian Church – Orange Swan Free Store – Galesburg
- Hope Chapel – Moran
- Humanity House – Iola
- Humboldt Ministerial Alliance – Humboldt Community Food Pantry – Humboldt
- Mound City Christian Church – Christian Women’s Service – Mound City
- Mound City United Methodist Church – Mound City
- Parker United Methodist Church – Helping Hands & Hearts – Parker
- Pitt Chapel Church of God – Pittsburg
- Prescott United Methodist Church – Reach Out Food Pantry – Prescott
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church – Mound City
- Second Chances – Blue Mound
- Michael Catholic Church – A Meal In His Name – Girard
- United Methodist Church – La Cygne Food Pantry – La Cygne
- United Women in Faith – Pleasanton
- Wings of Warriors – Gas
- Yates Center United Methodist Church – Bowls of Plenty – Yates Center
Current Operation Round Up trustees include Tom Bradbury of Uniontown, Rev. Daniel Davis of Iola, Carol Houston of Prescott, Nancy Hurd of Columbus, Kelly Perry of Bronson, Sue Stainbrook of Fontana, Mark Taylor of Girard, and Sharon Young of Erie.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas manages Operation Round Up contributions and disburses funds on behalf of Heartland.
About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.
Heartland REC is a non-profit, member-owned cooperative that traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives: Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company in Iola, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association in Mound City, and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in Girard. Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company joined with Sugar Valley in 1975 to form United Electric Cooperative; United Electric Cooperative joined with Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in 1996 to form Heartland
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 4
Death Notice for Barbara Lou Haggard
DEATH NOTICE
Barbara Lou Haggard, age 76, resident of Pittsburg, KS passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO. Services for Barb Haggard will be announced by the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main St.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports December 3
Story Telling Through Art: December 10
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Seeing Risk Clearly: Navigating Danger, Poverty, and Perception
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Presented by the Kansas Department for Children and Families and University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
| You’re invited…
At our previous community gatherings, many of you shared that we need to keep digging into how we see and respond to families’ circumstances. Whether you joined us before or are coming for the first time, this is your chance to be part of that ongoing conversation. DCF and the KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research are continuing their partnership to bring you Seeing Risk Clearly: Navigating Danger, Poverty, and Perception—a session designed to explore real-life scenarios, challenge assumptions, and strengthen how we respond to families in our communities. Through interactive activities and discussion, we’ll look at:
Your perspective matters. We hope you’ll join us in creating solutions that reflect the needs, strengths, and realities of the communities we serve. Lunch will be provided, please RSVP using the button below.
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 Location
Fort Scott Nazarene Church 1728 Horton Fort Scott, KS 66701 |
Thank You!We hope you’ll take this opportunity to learn more about ongoing efforts to help build support for children and families in Kansas. Thank you for being a part of these important conversations! |
Thank you to our partners:
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Match Week 2025; A Rousing Success!
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) and its affiliates in Columbus, Fort Scott, and Girard achieved record-breaking results during Match Week 2025, raising over $1,066,000 in combined donations for charitable funds benefiting Southeast Kansas!
Match Week took place November 10-14, 2025. Thanks to a generous matching challenge from the Patterson Family Foundation, additional matching funds were available for each foundation to amplify community contributions.
CFSEK brought in an outstanding $437,227 in community donations to support 48 local organizations. Columbus donors stepped up in a big way, with over 100 contributors giving $145,992, while Fort Scott supporters raised $67,452 for 13 different organizations. Girard donors kept the momentum going with $72,423 raised for 10 participating funds. And the excitement doesn’t stop there—the Patterson Family Foundation’s matching challenge is adding another $339,875, amplifying the impact for nonprofits throughout our region.
“We were blown away by the generosity of our community,” said CFSEK Executive Director Devin Gorman. “Expanding from Match Day to Match Week significantly increased support for local nonprofits in our area, and we are so pleased to help them grow their endowments while also providing immediate matching funds. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to all of the donors for their incredible generosity and steadfast support of their communities.”
Next year’s Match Week will take place November 9-13, 2026.
Visit SEKMatchWeek.org to see a full list of participating funds and updates about next year’s Match Week!
To view Fort Scott’s donations
https://www.fortscottgives.org/
Libraries with Heart Initiative Expands Access to Blood Pressure Monitoring Across Southeast Kansas
Libraries with Heart Initiative Expands Access to Blood Pressure Monitoring Across Southeast Kansas
Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke. In a collaborative effort to improve community health, five local libraries have launched the Libraries with Heart initiative, a program designed to increase access to blood pressure monitoring and education.
This initiative is made possible through a General Funds Basic Human Needs grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, in partnership with K-State Extension – Southwind Extension Education Foundation, the American Heart Association, and participating libraries.
Libraries with Heart empowers individuals to take control of their health by providing tools and resources to monitor and manage blood pressure effectively.
Program Highlights:
- Validated Blood Pressure Monitors for Check Out: Patrons can borrow monitors through the Library of Things catalog.
- Educational Materials: Staff and community members are equipped with easy-to-understand resources on how to use the monitors, understanding blood pressure, and how to take steps toward better heart health.
- Healthcare Connections: Resources of local healthcare providers for further support and follow-up care.
“This initiative is a great example of how libraries truly serve as hubs for community wellness,” said Tara Solomon-Smith, Healthy Heart Ambassador and Extension Agent with K-State Extension. “By making blood pressure monitoring more accessible, we’re helping individuals take proactive steps toward healthier lives.”
The Libraries with Heart initiative reflects a shared commitment to public health, education, and community empowerment. Each participating library brings its own unique approach, while maintaining core elements that ensure consistency and impact across the region.
For more information about the program or to find a participating library near you, contact Tara Solomon-Smith at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
Embrace Winter this Season by Tara Solomon-Smith
Embrace Winter this Season
Do you find yourself ready for bed as soon as supper is over this time of year? You’re not alone—many of us feel that way after the time change. But winter doesn’t have to be something we dread. With a few simple strategies, we can make the most of the season and enjoy it!
Brighten Your Days with Light Therapy
Light therapy can help combat the winter blues by mimicking natural sunlight. Light boxes or lamps produce bright white light that signals your brain, much like daylight does. When choosing a light box, Harvard Health Publishing recommends:
- Look for 10,000 lux exposure. (Lux measures light intensity; a sunny day is about 50,000 lux.)
- Position it correctly. Keep the box in front of you or slightly to the side, about a foot away. Don’t stare directly at the light—read, meditate, or watch TV instead.
- Use it consistently. Aim for about 30 minutes of exposure daily. You can break this into shorter sessions.
Lifestyle Tips for a Positive Winter
Oklahoma State University Extension suggests creating a plan to boost your mood long-term:
- Bundle up and spend 15–30 minutes outdoors for sunlight and exercise.
- Maintain a healthy routine of sleep, movement, and nutritious meals.
- Take medications as prescribed if managing depression.
- Limit alcohol, as it can worsen symptoms.
- Stay connected—make plans and follow through.
- Practice self-care and kindness toward yourself and others.
Find the Bright Side of Winter
Psychologist and author Kari Leibowitz encourages focusing on what you enjoy about winter. Make a list of things you look forward to—like lighting candles. Leibowitz notes that when you light candles with the intention of celebrating the darkness, it can transform your experience and give winter a new meaning.
Wishing you a wonderful season filled with new ways to embrace winter! For more information, please contact Tara Solomon-Smith at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
Bourbon County CASA Christmas Celebration Is December 12th
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