By Dr. Ferrell Miller
The Junction City Association of Retired School Personnel (JCARSP) met at 9:00 AM on Friday August 11 at the Zion United Church of Christ to celebrate 60 years as an organization. JCARSP members are retired teachers, educators, cooks, nurses, paraeducators, administrators and their spouses who want to continue their life of service to fellow members, their active colleagues, and the community. Hosts were Susan Kamphaus and Karen Malec.
Joe and Sheila Markley gave an update on the remodeling project and shows coming to the C.L. Hoover Opera House. Kell Smalley from Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA) shared information about benefits to JCARSP and Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel members (KARSP).
JCARSP members showed their financial support by donating to the work done by USD 475’s Windy Hancock. Windy coordinates the district’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program for students who are defined as being homeless in accordance with that Act.
Nita Miller, JCARSP Secretary and Community Service Hours Coordinator said that “Retired school personnel continue to give of themselves and their time even after retirement from the school district. The unit of JCARSP was also recognized by the state association. During 2022-23 JCARSP members volunteered 6,568 hours in the community. If volunteers had been paid at the rate of $31.80, the value of service hours would have been $208,862.40. Collette Matthews was recognized by KARSP for her more than 900 hours of volunteer work.”
The next meeting of the JCARSP will be Friday, October 13 at Noon in the Zion United Church of Christ. That meal will be catered by Thomas’ Taste of Chicago and will be coordinated by Sheila Ritchie, Treasurer. Donations will be made to the Geary County Food Pantry/Wheels of Hope. Any retired school personnel who is interested in learning more about the organization may contact Dr. Ferrell Miller, JCARSP President at [email protected].