A new playground in Hoxie provides space for children and families to gather and enjoy outdoor time. It also serves the local school and area churches.  Many entities came together to complete the project, including local businesses, farmers, the city, churches and the Hansen Foundation. But it was the involvement of the students that stand out with this project.  Elementary students helped organize fundraisers, sold things, collected donations and spread the word about the project.  Students helped sort, count, and roll of the money that was placed in jars located all over town.  The students got to select the equipment and games that they wanted on their playground.  Several older students even helped build the structure on the final days.

A grant to purchase special equipment and training for tactical rescues will assist the seven agencies within the North Central Kansas Regional Special Response Team.  Previously, life saving measures were only available through specialized rescue teams which have varying response time of 30 minutes to 2 hours.  During critical rescues minutes count.  Now the North Central Kansas Regional Special Response Team can provide improved response time in accessing these victims to potentially save lives.  Equipment and training were provided to:  Ottawa County Sheriff Dept; Osborne County Sheriff Dept; Osborne Police Dept; Clay County Sheriff Dept; Mitchell County Sheriff Dept; Jewell County Sheriff Dept; and Smith County EMS. Additional trainings are upcoming with Salina Fire Department search and rescue, Bennington and Minneapolis Fire and EMS, and Ottawa County Emergency management.

It all started with a new driveway, courtesy of a grant from the Hansen Foundation. Then, when they say hos the new driveways improved the look and access to the visitor center, a family donated 2 gas pumps from the 1920-1930 era for the project. Then, because they were pleased with the progress of the renovation, another family donated funds to help restore one of the vintage gas pumps. Another family who grew up in Lebanon, helped to restore the 2nd vintage gas pump.  A transformation has occurred because folks got involved.

The visitor center is open daily and staffed totally by volunteers. They answer questions, water flowers, help clean the place clean, keep the tourism brochures, Visitor’s Guides and maps restocked. Others supply courtesy mints and single serve coffees.

During the peak summer months, the number of visitors who signed the guestbook increased from 175 in 2017 to 408 in 2018.  The local Market has reordered more souvenirs than usual. A comment box in the Visitor Center, open daily and operated totally by volunteers, has been filled with positive reflections from travelers as far away as Pennsylvania.

There seems to be daily activity on this corner, both of local citizens and travelers. In a town of 185 people, that is very important for promoting community pride and volunteerism toward other projects and events. Many of the locals just like to drive through and hear the driveway bell that was installed for old times’ sake. So far, they all understand that no one is going to come to wash their windshields or sell them 17.8 cent/gallon gasoline, as the pump reads. But they smile anyway…as the back tires go over the air hose to the bell. The new driveways make this possible.

Here are a few of the 68 interns (35 more than last year!) that worked in NW Kansas last summer as part of an internship program funded in part by the Hansen Foundation. In addition, for the 2017/2018 school year 10 students participated in the apprenticeship/work study program and in the fall semester of 2018 13 students are in the program. 56 local businesses hosted summer interns and 23 businesses hosted apprentices. These businesses are mentoring by having them work, learn and be engaged in their businesses and community!

Volunteer coaches and parents help install the topping on new fencing at the ball fields in Belleville.  The new fence was installed in March, with a grant from the Hansen Foundation.  In May, the school was selected to host the Kansas High School Class 2A softball regionals tournament for the first time. Six high School softball teams and their families came into the community to stay, eat and watch good softball.  In July, the City of Belleville was picked to host the Pee Wee Assn State baseball tournament, bringing twelve teams and their families to town.  This had not happened in the 50+ years of the state tournament.  In April, the school board voted to add High School baseball to their sports.  Softball has been a girl’s sport there for 18 years.  Currently, they are working on a request to host the 2019 K-18 regional tournament for the Eastern league next summer.   we had volunteer work from other ball coaches and parents.