By Dr. Ferrell Miller
JC Breakfast Optimists
Nicole Mader, Executive Director of the United Way of Junction City-Geary County and also serving Chapman and Enterprise, met with the JC Breakfast Optimist Club on June 3 in the Hampton Inn Meeting Room. She shared that the United Way started in 1961 in Junction City/Geary County.
In this area United Way serves Girl Scouts; CASA 8th Judicial District; Pawnee Mental Health Services; Junction City Family YMCA; the Food Pantry; JC Pacesetters/Special Olympics; Kansas Legal Services; The Crisis Center; S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology Engineering, Art and Math) activities at the Geary County Historical Society; tax preparation with the VITA Program; Day of Caring; Stuff the Bus and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Nicole told the Optimists that “community members supported the most recent United Way Stuff the Pantry Drive at Dillon’s and Wal-Mart. A total of $1,297.04 was collected and will be distributed to the Geary County Food Pantry, JC Pregnancy Center, Konza Cupboard, Clover Cabinet and other food pantries.”
The next project for the United Way organization will be Stuff the Bus. Nicole stated that “this is the 16th annual Stuff the Bus program and will be held on July 18, July 25 and August 1 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Dillon’s and Wal-Mart. This project will involve collection of school supplies for those students in need prior to the 2026-27 school year. Students in need are identified by the school Principals.
A companion project is Adopt-A-Backpack. There is an application process for this process, in which parents may apply for their student to receive a backpack by contacting the United Way office at 785-238-2117. The application deadline is July 17.”
The JC Breakfast Optimist Club has not only assisted with Stuff the Pantry but also donated $200.00 to the United Way Stuff the Bus campaign to help student’s in need receive school supplies for the next school year.