Category Archives: Fort Scott

Fort Scott, Youth

Toy Drive Next Week For Area Children

Leave a comment

Fort Scott Fire Department personnel wanted to get involved in their community at Christmas time.

Assistant Chief Mike Miles said the firefighters saw other departments in the region do a toy drive for the community and decided last year to organize one.

The toy drive will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11 in front of the fire station.

“We wanted to get involved,” he said. “I’d seen it done elsewhere. We also do a boot drive in front of the department at 1604 S. National from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for monetary donations which will raise funds to buy gift cards for older children.”

“We will direct people with toys through the bay where they can leave their toys and go onto Judson Street then,” he said.

“We lower the bucket (on the fire truck) and people can drop toys in.”

Bicycle donations for ages 4-12 are needed.

The Beacon,  a local helping agency and the local Elks Lodge will be the recipients of the toys that will be distributed to children.

About the Beacon

The Beacon Food Pantry in Fort Scott, KS, is dedicated to alleviating food insecurity by offering essential food assistance to households in need. Our mission is to ensure that individuals and families have access to nutritious food, supporting their health and well-being during challenging times, according to its website.

 

About the Elks

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the U.S.A. is a
 Fraternal Organization whose mission is to:

To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share, according to its website.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee Hosted by First Methodist Church

Leave a comment

Join us for Chamber Coffee hosted by the

First United Methodist Church
Thursday, December 5th

8am

301 S. National Ave.

(Coffee will be located in the Fellowship Hall Entrance off 3rd st. An elevator entrance is available nearest the handicap parking area along National Ave.)
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Entertainment, Fort Scott, Schools, Youth

FSHS Thespians Present Ho Ho Ho The Santa Claus Chronicles

Leave a comment

 

The Fort Scott High School Thespians present the children’s theatre production of Ho Ho Ho The Santa Claus Chronicles by Pat Cook at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14 in the FSHS Auditorium.

 

Pioneer Drama Service describes the play this way: “We join the host for a special live edition of “The Santa Claus Chronicles” at the North Pole just a few days before Christmas.  We start with a press conference where Saint Nick’s press secretary answers reporters’ questions about the jolly guy. … We also meet the elves, Eeny, Meeny, Miney, and Sol, who take care of the reindeer, and we hear from the elves who work the gift suggestion hotline.  But the biggest mystery at the North Pole is where Mrs.Claus has disappeared to.  Just what is she up to?  Find out in a surprising ending that will leave a smile on everyone’s face.”

 

The production involves 44 local students in first through eighth grade and 24 high school Thespians who serve as directors, coaches, and designers

 

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children. All tickets are reserved seating and are available at fortscotthighschool.ludus.com or at the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.

 

Ho Ho Ho The Santa Claus Chronicles is produced by FSHS Theatre Director Angie Bin and senior Directors Kaiden Clary and Cooper George. Junior Junie Fisher serves as Music Director and sophomore Ava Johnson is the Choreographer.

Business, Fort Scott

Fort Scott Barber Shop Waits To Reopen Their Business

5 Comments
This photo is from the opening of Fort Scott Barber Shop in 2021. From front to back are Jaylisha Montanez, Giancarlo Montanez, and Jose Montanez, the three barbers in Fort Scott Barber Shop. Mayra Montez stands beside her husband, Jose. Jose Montanez Jr is in the barber seat.

 

Fort Scott Barber Shop at 118 E. Wall is owned and operated by the Montanez family. They were winners of multiple awards including Best Barbershop in the Midwest when they had their business in the Kansas City area.

They moved to Fort Scott in 2021 and started a new barber shop in the historic downtown district, across from the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

A dispute with the City of Fort Scott over the safety of the historic building closed the business almost a year ago, ownerJose Montanez said.

“I am not wanting to fight with the city,” Montanez said in an interview with fortscott.biz when contacted about the business being closed for almost a year. “I just want to open my business.”

It’s been over a month since the city took down the street barriers on Wall Street.

“A lot has been said at the city commission meetings, but when I ask to sit down and talk, nobody wants it,” he said.

The work on the facade of the building has been completed, which the city had some concerns with.

“It took some time to get a reputable business to take on the project,” Montanez said. “We had a structural engineer come in who certified it wasn’t a structural wall, just the facade of the building needed to be fixed.”

“So we proceeded to replace the bricks on the facade, and the city inspector came in to give final approval. For some reason, he was stripped of his power to give final approval on this specific project, unlike any other project,” Montanez said.

“Ever since then, we have been going back and forth. For some reason we haven’t been able to open our business back up, even though it’s fixed,” he said.”The street has been reopened, which tells us the city feels safe. If they felt it was a hazard to the community they wouldn’t have opened the street back up.”

“It’s sad for us. We see many businesses closing and we want to stay,” he said. “It’s been a heavy burden.”

“The City brought its own private engineer which could not write a report as requested from the City and ended up quitting after fully inspecting the inside and outside of the property and charged no fees due to his ‘inability’ to write a report,” Montanez said.

“We fixed the facade, at this point they want to do an inspection on the whole building,” Montanez said. “It’s been a month and a half since the barriers were taken down. A dumpster has been placed in front of the building to make it look like they are keeping the public safe.”

The family of three barbers have been working in other studios and salons to make ends meet, he said.

“We want to open up the building, we want to show we are wanting to stay,” he said.

The Fort Scott Barber Shop, 118 E. Wall. Submitted photo.

To view the story on the opening of the business:

Opening Soon: Fort Scott Barbershop, 118 E. Wall

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda of the Fort Scott City Commission on Dec. 3

Leave a comment

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

December 3, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.     Call to Order
  2.     Roll Call

Tim VanHoecke,   Matthew Wells,   Dyllon Olson,   Kathryn Salsbury,  Tracy Dancer

III.       Pledge of Allegiance

  1. Invocation
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1373-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of November 13, 2024, to November 26, 2024, – $1,118,230.10
  5. Approval of Minutes for November 19, 2024, Regular Meeting.

 

VII.      Public Comment

VIII.     Appearances

 

  1. Unfinished Business
  2. Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 31-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 1105 S. STATE– Tabled from November 19, 2024,
  3. Consideration of Certificate of Appropriateness – 17 S. Main – Move Sign to New Location – Recommended by Design Review Board on November 12, 2024, and tabled by City Commission on November 19, 2024.

 

  1. New Business

Action Items:

  1. Consideration to Replace Charles Street Lift Station – B. Lemke
  2. Consideration of Verizon Tolling Agreement – B. Farmer
  3. Consideration to set a Budget Hearing on December 17, 2024, for amending the 2024 Budget pertaining to Stormwater Fund No. 719 and Golf Fund No. 219.
  4. Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 34-2024 A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH URBAN AREA BOUNDARY LINES and RESOLUTION NO. 35-2024 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE URBAN FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM– Wyatt
  5. Request to Pay Heck & Wicker – Project No. 6 U-2455-01 – EEI Project No. 24-414 – Payment No. 5 – $450,052.32 – J. Dickman

 

  1. Reports and Comments
  2. City Manager Comments
  3. Engineering Comments
  4.  Commissioners Comments
  5. City Attorney Comments

 

XII.     Adjourn

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Holiday Trolley Tours Start December 12

Leave a comment

Dolly Hollyday Christmas Light Trolley Tours

Come aboard Dolly the Trolley for a night of lights on the town! Sing with Elves, Enjoy Cookies & Hot Cocoa, and wear Glow Necklaces!

Nightly at 5:45 & 7pm

* An additional 8:15pm tour will be available based on demand.

$8 Adults

$5 Children 12&under

$125 to book the entire trolley for your family/group! (seats up to 22)
Pre-paid reservations are required. Call 620-223-3566 today!
A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below…
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Updated Calendar For Christmas On The Bricks

Leave a comment

Join us for the 2nd Annual

Christmas on the Bricks Festival

in Downtown Fort Scott!

First weekend of December

December 5th thru December 8th

See below for details!

*Some activities require pre-registration

Click HERE for our website with detailed information so you don’t miss out!

Also, Like & Follow the Festival

Facebook page to stay informed.

The festival will be packed full of holiday cheer, events, shopping, and activities for all ages with aspirations to be a destination for a Hallmark Christmas.

The weekend will kick off with the

“A Storybook Christmas” Parade of Lights

on Thursday, December 5th at 6pm,

followed by the Lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, Music by St. Mary’s School Choir,

Holiday Fireworks, and Pictures with Santa at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree!

Click HERE to enter the parade by 1pm on 12/3!

*****************************************

***NOTE: EVENTS IN RED BELOW REQUIRE PRE-REGISTRATION,

CLICK THE RED LINKS FOR INFO. AND TO REGISTER. ***

CLICK THE GREEN LINKS FOR ADDITIONAL INFO ***

Thursday, December 5th

  • 6pm – Christmas Parade, “A Storybook Christmas”, followed by the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, music by St. Mary’s School, and Fireworks. To register an entry in the parade click here, free to enter!
  • 5-10pm – Holiday Market Booths will be open, corner of Wall & Main
  • Pictures with Santa

Friday, December 6th

  • Downtown Business Tree Decorating Contest – ALL DAY – vote for your favorite tree!
  • 10am-10pm – Candy Land Adventure, Museum of Creativity, 102 S. National Ave.
  • 11am-3pm – Historical Narrated 50-minute Trolley Tours, from the Chamber & Visitor Center, on the hour, $6 adults, $4 12 & under, last tour leaves at 2pm
  • Throughout the evening – Live Music, Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St., bring a lawn chair or blanket.
  • 4-9pm – NEW this year, Synthetic Ice-Skating Rink at the Gathering Square Pavilion!
  • 5-8pm – Nativity Showcase, First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National Ave., over 100 Nativity sets from around the world!
  • 5-8pm – Pictures with Santa, Hedgehog.INK! Book Store, 16 S. Main St.
  • 5-8pm – Pictures with The Grinch, Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St.
  • 5-10pm – Holiday Market Booths will be open, corner of Wall & Main
  • 5-8pm – Downtown Stores Open Late for Shopping until at least 8pm
  • 5-9pm – The Artificers 8th Annual Christmas Showcase, 8 N. National Ave.
  • 5-9pm – Santa’s Workshop, Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St., featuring Free Gift Wrapping for gifts purchased Downtown, Letters to Santa, Kids Coloring & Crafts, and more! Any donations for gift wrapping go to CORE Community of Bourbon County.
  • 5:30-8:30pm – Living Nativity by Bethel Church, each set lasts 15 minutes, on the 1/2 hour, last set starts at 8pm, corner of 1st & Scott Streets across from the Courtland Hotel.
  • 6-10pm – Horse-drawn Carriage Rides, departing from the Depot, Wall & Scott St., pre-registration required, $40/carriage for up to 4 people.
  • 6pm until over – Outdoor Movies at Lowell Milken Park, 1 S. Main St.
  • 6-10pm – Firepits with S’mores on Skubitz Plaza, $1 per kit
  • 6:30-9:30pm – Annual Candlelight Tours of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, advance tickets required
  • 7-8:30pm – Bourbon Tasting of Kansas Bourbons, Green Lantern Speakeasy, 110 S. Main St.
  • 9pm-1am – Christmas Karaoke at Sharky’s North Pole Christmas Pop-up Bar, 16 N. National Ave., $10 cover

Saturday, December 7th

  • Downtown Business Tree Decorating Contest – ALL DAY – vote for your favorite tree!
  • Throughout the day – Live Music, Heritage Park Pavilion, 1st & Main St., bring a lawn chair or blanket.
  • 10am-3pm – Historical Narrated 50-minute Trolley Tours, from the Chamber & Visitor Center, on the hour, $6 adults, $4 12 & under, last tour leaves at 2pm
  • 10am-2pm – Nativity Showcase, First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National Ave., over 100 Nativity sets from around the world!
  • 10am – Gingerbread House Making Contest, Brickstreet BBQ, 3 W. Oak St., pre-registration required to ensure supplies.
  • 10am-4pm – Candy Land Adventure, Museum of Creativity, 102 S. National Ave.
  • 10am-9pm – The Artificers 8th Annual Christmas Showcase, 8 N. National Ave.
  • 10am-8pm – Santa’s Workshop, Empress Event Center, 7 N. Main St., featuring Free Gift Wrapping for gifts purchased Downtown, Letters to Santa, Kids Coloring & Crafts, and more! Any donations for gift wrapping go to CORE Community of Bourbon County.
  • 12pm-10pm – Holiday Market Booths will be open, corner of Wall & Main
  • 12pm-2pm – Pictures with Santa, Hedgehog.INK! Book Store, 16 S. Main St.
  • 12-2pm – Pictures with The Grinch, Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St.
  • 12pm-9pm – NEW this year, Synthetic Ice-Skating Rink at the Gathering Square Pavilion!
  • 1-3pm – Christmas Paint Party, Mi Ranchito, 17 S. Main St., $40/person, pre-registration required.
  • 1:30-3pm – Brew on the Bricks, A Craft Beer Tasting, Green Lantern Speakeasy, 110 S. Main St.
  • 3-4pm – Storytime, Hedgehog.INK! Book Store, 16 S. Main St.
  • 5-8pm – Pictures with Santa, Hedgehog.INK! Book Store, 16 S. Main St.
  • 5-8pm – Pictures with The Grinch, Lowell Milken Center, 1 S. Main St.
  • 5-8pm – Christmas Cookie Decorating, The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative, 12 S. Main St.
  • 5-9pm – Annual Candlelight Tours of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, advance tickets required
  • 5-8pm – Downtown Stores Open Late for Shopping until at least 8pm
  • 5:30-8:30pm – Living Nativity by Bethel Church, each set lasts 15 minutes, on the 1/2 hour, last set starts at 8pm, corner of 1st & Scott Streets across from the Courtland Hotel.
  • 6-10pm – Horse-drawn Carriage Rides, departing from the Depot, Wall & Scott St., pre-registration required, $40/carriage for up to 4 people.
  • 6-10pm – Firepits with S’mores on Skubitz Plaza, $1 per kit
  • 7-8:30pm – Bourbon Tasting of Kansas Bourbons, Green Lantern Speakeasy, 110 S. Main St.
  • 8pm – Late-night SINGO, Memorial Hall, $10 per card, 3 start times this year: 6:30-7:30pm, 8-9pm, 9:30-10:30pm
  • 9pm-1am – Visit the Sharky’s North Pole Christmas Pop-up Bar, 16 N. National Ave., $5 cover

Sunday, December 8th

  • 10:30am-2pm – Holiday Brunch, Liberty Theatre, register at fscrooners.com, $20 adults, 10 & under $12.
  • 12pm-2pm – Nativity Showcase, First United Methodist Church, 301 S. National Ave., over 100 Nativity sets from around the world!
  • 12pm-5pm – The Artificers 8th Annual Christmas Showcase, 8 N. National Ave.
  • 12pm-4pm – NEW this year, Synthetic Ice-Skating Rink at the Gathering Square Pavilion!
  • 1pm – Floral Centerpiece Making Class by Sunshine Boutique, 1pm, pre-registration required, 20 spots available, $40/person, will take place at the Courtland Hotel.

*****************************************

Be sure and look for the Christmas cutouts throughout

Downtown for photo opportunities with your friends and family, made by Mike & Danyell Miles.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Fort Scott express sincere thanks to ALL the sponsors, volunteers,

and staff who are making this event possible, including:

Event Chairperson and Chamber Board Member, Diane Striler

Chamber President & CEO, Lindsay Madison

Communications & Events Coordinator, Leslie Godden

Locals and visitors are encouraged to make plans to enjoy this

FUN weekend on the bricks of the Downtown Historic District!

Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at

(620) 223-3566 or [email protected]

for questions or more information.

See the full event flyer below,

or click HERE for a PDF printable copy.

We would appreciate you sharing with

your family & friends!

* A special recognition & appreciation to everyone who donated and helped make the Skating Rink a success.

The rink would not be possible without all of the support!
Facebook Share This Email
X Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email

Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below for their premium support of the Chamber year-round!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Exercise, Fort Scott, Government

Updates at Buck Run Community Center Ongoing

4 Comments
The Buck Run Community Center has seen some updates in the facility recently.

The renovations were done by employees at the center, Lucas Kelley the Recreation Director, Dustin Fly the Maintenance Supervisor, and Katie Chipman the Office Manager.

“It is all funded by proceeds from our fitness center,” Kelley said. “Total renovations cost us $2,000.
Renovations on the Buck Run Community Center. Submitted photo.
In the concession stand:
“We added new flooring to replace the old stained carpet and
reorganized/simplified our tables and serving machines,” he said.
The lounge area. Submitted photo.
In the lounge area:
“We removed the original unused office and replaced it with a new seating area,” he said.
The front desk area of the Buck Run Community Center. Submitted photo.
The front desk area makeover:
“We gave our front desk a new look using contact paper! This gives our front desk a more modern feel,” Kelley said.
Future projects at Buck Run Community Center include painting in the weight room, gyms,  and meeting room.
“We are also planning on installing 3/8” thick rubber flooring throughout our entire Fitness Center after the first of the year,” he said.
Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.
The Fort Scott Recreation Department is located at 735 S Scott St, Fort Scott.
To contact BRCC phone 620-223-0386 or email [email protected] or view the website at brcc.recdesk.com
Fort Scott, Jobs

Youth Services Supervisor at Fort Scott’s Library: Mackenzie Kaemmer

Leave a comment
Mackenzie Kaemmer. Submitted photo.

Mackenzie Kaemmer, 26, is the new Youth Services Supervisor at Fort Scott Public Library.

“The beginning of my journey here at the Fort Scott Public Library has now begun, I could not be more grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “A big part of my position will be planning, scheduling, and coordinating regular and special programs for preschool, elementary children, and teens. There are many exciting programs underway; once active, such programs and services will be posted on the library website, and Facebook page, and displayed in the library. We are currently taking part in a program, Grow your Heart with Reading, in which everybody can try to win a festive Grinch tree or a giant snuggly Grinch by reading a book or donating items to our local pantry. Every contribution will get your name into the drawing on December 20th!”

Kaemmer with the Grinch Tree at the Fort Scott Public Library. Submitted photo.

 

Her job responsibilities are to acquire new materials and remove or discard unneeded items for youth, catalog library materials, plan regular and special programs for preschool, elementary
children and teens, participate in the statewide summer reading program for youth, outreach to area schools, preschools, and daycare facilities,  develop book displays and other art forms in the children’s area, create publicity flyers for youth programs, assist patrons,  instruct youth and parents on how to use the internet at the library, assist with the library’s website and social media, spearhead new library technology, maintain program statistics and submit monthly reports to the director.

Kaemmer attended Pittsburg State University and received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Developmental Disabilities.

“Prior to university, I spent a summer as an instructional assistant at Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB),” she said. “During my time at Pittsburg State University, I was the head graduate assistant for the University Testing Center. Under this, I was also given the opportunity to instruct a college-level General Psychology course.”

 

She hails from Overland Park, Kansas, and attributes her family—parents Bobby and Suzanne Kaemmer and siblings Kassidi, Cody, and Cooper—with helping her along life’s way.

 

“Before attending college, I knew I wanted a profession in which the directive was to provide aid for the community; I knew I wanted to help others. Growing up I underwent around ten surgeries, while there were plenty of hardships there was also time to reflect. I wanted to apply my experiences and what they have taught me towards spreading such lessons to others in hopes of enabling a better experience and strengthening an optimistic outlook on the past, present, and future.”

 

About The Library

The Fort Scott Public Library is open Monday through Friday 9:00 am-6:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am-2:00 pm; holidays may differ.

“On November 27th we close at 12:00 pm, and we are closed on November 28th, 29th and 30th. We will reopen as normal on Monday, December 2nd at 9:00 am,” she said.

Fort Scott Public Library, 201 S. National Avenue.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Christmas On The Bricks Merch Orders Due at Midnight Tonight

Leave a comment

ORDER DEADLINE TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT

Christmas on the Bricks merch

Order HERE by clicking “Register” and checking out online.
Order your event merch for the 2nd Annual Christmas on the Bricks Festival!

Orders will be available for pickup at the Chamber office on Friday, December 6th and if not picked up by 5pm on the 6th, they will be at the Festival Information Booth that will be set up at Wall & Main St. over that weekend.

Design options are shown below.  Adult sizes only – unisex sizing All prices below include sales tax.
Sweatshirt – Gildan Brand

Gray/Ash Color

S-XL $34

2XL $36

3XL-5XL $38
Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Gildan Brand

Gray/Ash Color

S-XL $32

2XL $36

3XL-4XL $38
Sweatshirt – Comfort Colors Brand

Spruce/Green Color

S-XL $48

2XL $52

3XL $56
Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Comfort Colors Brand

Spruce/Green Color

S-XL $30

2XL $32

3XL $34
A special thank you to our Chamber Champion members below…
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  X  Instagram
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
 
Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott, Youth

The Beacon Sees An Increase In Local Families In Need

Leave a comment
The Beacon is located at 525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott. Submitted photo. Ashley Heathman, assistant director, David Gillen, director, and Destiny Holderfield, food administrator.

 The Beacon is an interfaith, not-for-profit network in Bourbon County that has been in existence for 40 years. They assist community residents with food, utilities, and other necessities during times of need.

“We are dedicated to providing an efficient link between churches, civic groups, and other service organizations to those in need,” according to Dave Gillen, the director.

This time of year, the community gears up to give gifts and food to those who need it.

“The Adopt-A-Family program is a project that The Beacon takes great pride in,” said Gillen. “We help local Bourbon County families bring Christmas to their homes. After the application is filled out, we make the families available for the public and organizations to come in and ‘adopt’.  They then purchase gifts for the children and The Beacon puts together a rather large holiday meal package for the family. The children’s Christmas gifts are purchased, wrapped, and tagged with the family number and dropped off at Community Christian Church, where we sort into the proper family group.”

Those who want to adopt a family can come to The Beacon, 525 E. Sixth, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday from 9  a.m. to 1 p.m. to pick the family they want to adopt or call 620-223-6869.

Community Christian Church, 1919 S. Horton is where the Adopt A Family gifts are sorted and distributed.

There is an increase in the number of local families in need this year.

 “This year we have 112 families, which includes 290 children that will be up for ‘adoption.’These families are current Beacon clients or families needing help in Bourbon County. Last year we had 77 families for the Adopt-A-Child program so we had a major increase in local families in need this year.”

“This program could not be possible without the help of individuals, businesses, organizations, and our local fire department,” he said. “It takes many volunteers to transfer and sort food from The Beacon to the Community Christian Church gym.” 

“The Beacon also helps supply food items for the Elk’s Christmas Basket that is delivered the Sunday before Christmas,” he said.

“We are very busy this time of year with food and toy donations, sign-up, and just everyday activities,” he said. “We average about 25 to 30 families a day for food distribution and do some financial assistance to help residents of Bourbon County. The Beacon celebrated our 40th year helping Bourbon County this year. “

“We are dedicated to providing an efficient link between churches, civic groups, and other service organizations to those in need.“