Source: Lynda Bachelor, 785-532-7607, bachelor@k-state.edu
Website: http://handson.k-state.edu/
Hometown connection/news tip: Olathe and Shawnee, Kan.; and Kansas City, Mo.
News release prepared by: Stephanie Jacques, 785-532-3452, sjacques@k-state.edu
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012
A different type of family: University observes National Family Volunteer Day by helping children with cancer
MANHATTAN -- In celebration of National Family Volunteer Day on Saturday, Nov. 17, the Kansas State University School of Leadership Studies, HandsOn Kansas State Academic Mentoring, Alpha Delta Pi sorority and the Johnson Cancer Research Center are creating a different type of family -- a volunteer family.
Courtney Weerts, senior in social work, Olathe, and Beth DeMars, junior in elementary education, and Amy Gasser, senior in elementary education, both from Shawnee, are coordinating Family Volunteer Day: Learn and Serve with Dr. Waddle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at USD 383's Head Start facility, 1700 Leavenworth St.
"We believe your family is inclusive of everyone you know, your friends, roommates, co-workers, neighbors, Greek affiliations, classmates and your Kansas State University family," said Lynda Bachelor, project coordinator in the School of Leadership Studies. "Volunteering as a family is a chance to communicate, create shared memories and thereby, strengthen relationships."
While the university has been honoring the service day with several events throughout the week, National Family Volunteer Day on Saturday will be dedicated to helping children and families experiencing cancer.
"Families and volunteers will be making and assembling Hope Bag craft kits for teen inpatients at St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and Children's Mercy Research Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.," Bachelor said. "Families will have an opportunity to learn from Dr. Waddle, a fictional duck scientist who assists parents, teachers and adults how to talk to and support children and families."
