By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
There is still time to get homemade Valentine's Day cards to United Way of Central Kansas for the Box of Love project. UWCK Director Charell Owings said this is the seventh year for the program. Approximately 150 boxes of love were handed out to senior residents in Barton and Pawnee counties in the first year. That number is now closer to 400.
"It's been really impactful," she said. "It's a fun day to go out and make deliveries and get these homemade Valentine's Day cards into peoples' homes. It's a really good connection for the seniors in our community to know there are still people thinking about them."
In addition to homemade Valentine's Day cards, the boxes are filled with fun and useful items for the recipients. The boxes will be delivered to seniors who receive Meals on Wheels or ElderCare Home Services. Boxes will also be delivered to area senior centers and nursing homes. The Great Bend Public Library is helping out with a card-making station with materials to create unique, homemade cards.
"It's fantastic to have a partner like the library that will set up a station," Owings said. "It really helps to get the word out. A lot of times, if people aren't following the news very closely, they don't know about it, but when they stop into the library, they see this project is happening. It's just another way for people to get engaged."
Businesses that would like to donate items for the boxes are encouraged to contact UWCK by Jan. 19 to make arrangements. All donated items should be submitted by Feb. 1 to allow time for boxes to be packed. For more information, email unitedwaycentralks.hotmail.com, or call (620) 792-2403.