By Ferrell Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club Secretary/Programs Chairperson
Bob Bramlage, with the R2B4 Foundation and Rick Bazan shared information about the work the Foundation is doing with youth at Wednesday's meeting of the JC Breakfast Optimist Club. Bramlage said that the R2B4 Foundation was started 10 years ago to honor members of the Bramlage family who perished in a plane crash. The purpose of the Foundation is to enhance the lives of children in Junction City in a meaningful way and to give back to the community.
In recent years the Foundation has broadened their giving to include financial support to the Geary Community Hospital (now Stormont Vail Hospital); Children’s Mercy; Greater Geary Community Foundation’s Match Day; the C.L. Hoover Opera House; Playground Park; Rathert Field; provide seven scholarships to students and other non-profit organizations which fit with the Foundation’s mission.”
Bazan manages the day-to-day operations of facilities and youth programs supported by R2B4. He stated that “one of the facilities designed especially for youth is the Sports Academy located near Cracker Barrel on the east side of Junction City. That facility is 24,000 square feet. We had 520 students use the facility last winter. Other youth activities sponsored and coordinated include taking special needs students to the Manhattan Zoo; events for high school students to include job tours; mentorship programs; introduction to athletics and creating a four-part lecture series.”
The 4th Annual Filthy Monkey Obstacle Course Race for adults and kids sponsored by R2B4 will be held May 20 from 9:00 until 10:30 AM. T-shirts will be provided and free pancakes and smoked sausages we be served while they last. For more information see the Junction City Athletic Training Center Facebook page.
Next week’s JC Breakfast Optimist Club meeting guests will be members from the Junction City High School Future Farmers of America.