Author: Fred Atchison

Sara Carnahan signs people up for Midland Care Meals on Wheels. Sara has had various roles in health care and now assesses candidates for service. Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious meals to housebound seniors in Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas Counties. Program goals include keeping people independent in their homes, avoiding hospitalization, managing chronic health issues and checking on safety. Isolation for seniors is a serious problem and meal delivery provides an opportunity for a welfare and safety check. Eligibility is primarily for people 60 years of age who cannot leave the home unassisted. The program is funded by government sources, client contributions, fund raisers, grants and contributions. Meals are also served at twelve dining centers for seniors most in need of a nutritious meal. Some 39,507 meals were served in 2024. Lawrence Meals on Wheels is a separate organization that provides specialty diets and both organizations work together to serve seniors in need.

The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center has a new CEO, Dr. Christina Castellano, and she has big plans for the Zoo. Dr. Castellano brings to the job a Doctorate in Biological Sciences and over thirty years of zoo and conservation experience, including breeding endangered species. Her goal is to keep the zoo relevant and interesting by opening something new each year. In 2021 the Zoo began transitioning away from control by the City of Topeka and while there is some County support, the rest comes from admissions, donations and grants. The Zoo has a nine million dollar budget and employs 140 staff. Dr. Castellano is particularly proud of the various educational and conservation projects, like the new Tiger Trails and Den Academy that features hands on and interactive activities. The Zoo is involved in conservation work in 119 countries and has raised 252 million dollars for those projects. It is important that people make a connection with the animals, and accordingly, much of the staff care for the animals is now done in view of the public. Fund raising for the new Zoo is now a year round activity.

District Governor nominee Michelle Sink made a visit to talk about the programs and activities of Rotary District 5710. Michelle grew up in Pratt and attended Kansas State University and is an Area Director for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. She is a member of Konza Rotary Club in Manhattan and loves Rotary so much she got a Rotary tattoo. Michelle urged involvement in the numerous District committees, these include Membership, Environmental, Public Image, Rotoract and Interact, Education, International, Grants, Polio and Ending Human Trafficking. The District provides opportunities for making connections and having fun at events like Gathering for Good, District Annual Conference, and Team Training. District also sponsors Rotary Leadership Institute, President Elect Training and Training for District Leadership.

Nickie Harding is the 4H Youth Development agent for Douglas County, Kansas State Research and Extension. She and her son, Hunter, shared their experiences with the county 4H program. 4H got started as an agriculture related youth program, but it has grown through the years to encompass a variety of youth development opportunities. Young people ages 5-19 learn practical skills and important values through workshops, day camps, project groups and leadership development. Photography, robotics, public speaking, biology and pets are a few of the study topics. The annual county fair continues to be a popular event in the 4H year. Hunter Harding started the program at an early age and has served as an officer and as project leader for various activities. He has represented the club on the radio and also at local government meetings. Hunter believes the skills he has learned in 4H will serve him well.

Our own Kate Campbell and Maggie Chipman are enthusiastic members of the New Generation Society of Lawrence (NGLS). NGLS serves retirees and active seniors with life long learning opportunities, social events and philanthropy. The organization is affiliated with Watkins Museum of History and the Hall Center for the Humanities. Each fall and spring twenty-five one hour programs are offered by local experts. Topics include local issues, the arts, KU, sports, architecture, humanities and history. Most programs are presented at Watkins Museum, with occasional day trips to points of interest. NGSL also hosts four dinner parties each year and is supported by a $50 dollar annual fee and a modest program attendance fee. NGLS awards annually 5,000 to 10,000 dollars toward local children’s services and education. Kate spoke about how NGLS helped her connect with the community when she moved to Lawrence.