In bad economic times, it vital for communities to come together in order to withstand hardship. Emporia has more than stepped up to the plate when it comes to community service.
The most recent example of this community giving is the Polar Plunge. More than 160 volunteers risked discomfort, a mild cold or even hypothermia to raise money for the Kansas Special Olympics. It may be a small gesture to some, but the money raised by this event totaled over $25,000.
The Polar Plunge is not the only community project that has been beneficial to those in need. Recently, the United Way of the Flint Hills raised over its target amount of $575,000 with a total of $593,107 during the 2011 annual campaign. Philip Carselowey of Emporia Motors has also got into the giving act, donating $1 for every handshake and $80 for every car purchased in February to the Humane Society of the Flint Hills for the spaying and neutering of pets. Hunt 4 Hunger collected over 2,000 pounds of meat for families in need at its fifth annual hunting tournament in January. Emporia State University has several organizations that step up in the community to provide necessities and services to local people.
There are countless other local organizations that serve the Emporia community with charitable drives and campaigns, all with the idea of helping their fellow neighbors.
Thank you, to these local organizations and the citizens that put in the footwork to help their fellow human beings and furry companions. Keep up the good work.
John Giffin
Reporter