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CFSEK Celebrates 25th Anniversary
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout 2026. This release is the first part of CFSEK’s new story series honoring the 25-year history of the organization, while also looking ahead to the next 25 years of positive impact in Southeast Kansas.
Wednesday, February 28th, 2001, was a day of philanthropic beginnings in Southeast Kansas that would create a positive impact for decades to come, even if the 23 community leaders present didn’t fully realize it at the time. That afternoon at Crestwood Country Club, the Pittsburg Area Community Foundation was founded to serve the people of the Pittsburg area.
Growing quickly, in May of 2005, it was determined that the name should be changed to the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas because the organization was already serving communities outside of Pittsburg and Crawford County. What started as a goal of serving people in one community quickly grew into a dream of helping people throughout the entire Southeast Kansas region.
“It’s incredible to see how a simple goal set by a small group of community leaders blossomed into a regional powerhouse for good,” said CFSEK Executive Director Devin Gorman. “Over the last 25 years, CFSEK has become the bridge between passionate donors and the most pressing needs of our communities, proving that when Southeast Kansans pull together, we can do incredible things. ”
In the 25 years since CFSEK’s founding, more than $28 million has been reinvested directly back into Southeast Kansas to causes and projects that help make our corner of the state a great place to call home!
“The $28 million we’ve granted since 2001 represents more than just a number; it represents new programs and services, new community amenities, vital healthcare support, thousands of student scholarships, critical support for our local nonprofits, and so much more. Past leaders of this organization have succeeded in growing from a single office into a regional catalyst for change that touches every corner of Southeast Kansas,” said Gorman.
CFSEK has seen many changes over the past 25 years. The Foundation’s physical growth mirrors its community impact—moving from a single, borrowed office at the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce to its current home in the Commerce Bank building, and expanding from a lone part-time employee to a dedicated full-time staff of six. Through it all, the goal has stayed the same: benefiting the common good and the quality of life in Southeast Kansas.
“Our first quarter-century was about building a foundation of trust and generosity that would be a permanent resource for our region. The next 25 years will be about building on that legacy—ensuring that Southeast Kansas remains a vibrant, thriving place to call home for future generations,” said Gorman.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2.8 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $28 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.
Looking for a college that gives you options? At Fort Scott Community College, students can choose from associate degrees in Arts, Science, Applied Science, and General Studies, along with a variety of certificates that lead straight to rewarding careers. Whether you’re interested in healthcare fields like Certified Medication Aide, Nurse Aide, EMT, Home Health Aide, Manicuring, or Phlebotomy, or want to take on a technical challenge with certificates in Ag Technology (John Deere), Construction, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Environmental Water Tech, Farm & Ranch Management, Harley-Davidson Technology, Heavy Equipment Operation, HVAC, Masonry, or Welding we’ve got you covered!
But college isn’t just about the classroom. FSCC offers plenty of ways to get involved through music and performance opportunities (band, choir, theater), student clubs and organizations (like Collegiate Farm Bureau, Phi Theta Kappa, SkillsUSA, STEAM Club, FSCC Media Team, and more), and even competitive judging teams in livestock and meat.
If athletics is more your thing, FSCC is home to intercollegiate sports for both men and women. Compete in basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, rodeo, track & field, or cross country, all while building friendships and representing the Greyhounds.
And the best part? We’re still growing. New programs, degrees, certifications, and athletic opportunities are on the horizon! There’s never been a better time to join FSCC!
Fort Scott Community College; where opportunity meets possibility.
I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Flag Salute IV. Invocation V. Approval of Agenda VI. Proclamations and Recognitions
A. Special recognition for city service awards.
B. Mayor’s announcement regarding upcoming community events.
VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes: Draft minutes from the February 17, 2026, meeting.
B. Appropriation Ordinances: Approval of city expenditures and financial reports.
C. Licensing: Review and approval of local business and occupational licenses.
The draft minutes provide a comprehensive record of the previous commission meeting. Key highlights include:
Public Comments: Summary of citizen input regarding local infrastructure and utility rates.
Old Business: Updates on ongoing park renovations and the downtown revitalization project.
Commission Action: Unanimous approval of the new city lighting contract.
This section details the city’s current financial standing:
Expenditure Review: Breakdown of departmental spending for the latter half of February.
Revenue Update: Analysis of tax collections and utility payments compared to the projected budget.
Audit Report: Briefing on the preliminary findings of the annual external audit.
Information regarding upcoming and current infrastructure improvements:
Street Maintenance: A schedule for the spring pothole repair and resurfacing initiative.
Water Treatment Facility: Technical specifications for the proposed upgrade to the filtration system.
Bid Awards: Review of construction bids for the East Side Drainage Project.
The Planning Commission submitted several items for final approval:
Rezoning Requests: Proposals for three residential-to-commercial conversions in the North district.
Land Use Plan: Draft updates to the 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan.
Signage Variances: Evaluation of a variance request for the new hospital facility.
Grant Applications: Authorization to apply for the state-funded “Clean Water” grant.
Legal Briefings: Updates on pending municipal court administrative changes.
Director Reports: Monthly performance summaries from the Fire, Police, and Parks departments.
Within a split second, I could have become a statistic when I came close to being run over by a speeding car. Dave and I were biking on a two-lane street, and the only reason I wasn’t turned into road-kill was that the female driver swerved into the far lane. The only reason she wasn’t killed was that no one was in that lane.
It was my fault. I pulled out of a side street, and instead of making a sharp right turn to stay on the edge of the road, I pedaled out too far in the direction of the car. You know, the car with the driver with the right-of-way. The driver who fortunately was not texting or applying lipstick or smacking her kids in the back seat. The driver who was alert and paying attention. Unlike me.
Dave was supportive.
“What in the world were you thinking?”
“Obviously I wasn’t.”
“Why didn’t you use your brakes?”
“Because I panicked.”
“Obviously.”
Sometimes, being alert is hard. I’ve left my credit card, my favorite jacket, and even my kids when I failed to take care of what was important. But there is a day coming when staying alert will determine where we spend eternity, which, in my case, could have come from not paying attention while riding my bike.
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV) we are warned. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
Noah’s neighbors certainly were not alert when God warned that the flood was coming. Only eight people believed and were saved. Lot warned his family that the city was about to be destroyed, but they did not listen. Starting in Genesis, all the way through Revelation, we are bombarded with stories of individuals with their heads in the figurative sand. Perhaps that description is fitting for us as well.
Hebrews 2:1 does not mince words. “Therefore, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Jesus voiced the same priority: “Pay careful attention to how you listen” (Luke 8:18). Careful listening (staying alert) is the first step to faithful living. It’s the difference between listening to a Bible app while also posting family pics on our Facebook account and giving God undivided attention to what He says.
Matthew 24 reminds us that being alert is critical. He warns his followers to remain steadfast and not be led astray by false teachings or distractions from the world. The command to “be ready” is not merely about anticipating His return but also about living a life that reflects His teachings and values—loving others, seeking justice, and maintaining a personal relationship with God.
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Jesus emphasized that His return—for us—will be sudden and unexpected. This calls for believers to cultivate a lifestyle of preparedness.
You know, exactly what I did not do on that bike ride.
Jan (Janice when she was in trouble) Elliott, 70, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at home with family by her side. She was born in August of 1955 to Charles and Virginia (Christner) Urano in Greeley, Colorado. Jan graduated from University High School in Greeley and attended Aims Community College.
In July of 1981 Jan married Dave Elliott and they raised one son, Steven. In 1993 the family moved to Ft. Scott, Kansas from Greeley. Jan worked as a paraeducator for USD234 schools for 24 years and became quite skilled in assisting students with autism to be successful. All of the students she touched, either at school or at the Keyhole Youth Center, knew that while she wouldn’t put up with much nonsense, she truly loved them and wanted to help them be the best they could be.
Jan retired in 2017 and enjoyed collecting, repainting and repairing Breyer horses. She staged these models in dioramas and successfully competed in photo competitions. She was an avid writer, creating many wonderful stories. She also enjoyed attending card making classes and sending the cards to family and friends. Throughout her life, Jan loved pets and the house was always full of critters, often to Dave’s dismay. One of her favorite pastimes was fishing and the family enjoyed many such outings with the boat.
Jan was well known for folding paper cranes for friends or family who were ill. Following Japanese tradition, she would fold and send 1000 paper cranes to each person as a wish and prayer for good health. She estimated that she folded easily over 10,000 paper cranes for others.
Jan is survived by her husband, Dave, of the home and their son Steven, daughter-in-law Nicole, and grandson Charlie, all of Ft. Scott. She is also survived by a brother, Ron Urano, of O’Fallon Illinois, and many friends who were very much part of the family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Y. and Virginia Christner Urano and a brother, David Urano.
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