ALZHEIMER'S WALK AT JACK KILBY SQUARE OCTOBER 5TH, 2019

Alzheimer’s disease is a global crisis with significant local impact. Currently, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and 16 million individuals are serving as their unpaid caregivers. Right here in Kansas 53,000 families are facing this progressive disease which is devastating our families, our finances, and our future. 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2020, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million.

Nancy and Kevin Sundahl Honored

Barton County Community Foundation Board has chosen to recognize Kevin and Nancy Sundahl with the “Ol Bill Honorarium” at its annual Benefit Auction which is set for 6 p.m. on August 24th at the Breat Bend Columbus Club. The honorarium allows acution attendees to donate a scholarship in the name of the honorees. Kevin and Nancy were two members of the first Barton class in the fall of 1969. The Sundahls have recently established an endowed scholarship as a way to “pay back’to the college. They are both involved in the community. Nancy is a charter member of the Pilot Club of Great Bend. She serves as Corresponding Secretary and Co-chair of the Projects Division.

Nancy and Kevin Sundahl

Great Bend Pilots who attended the Pilot International Conference in Chicago

Rhonda Knudson (President-elect Great Bend Pilot Club) and Faye Kuhn (Govenor of Heartland District Pilot CLub) participated in the service project (Cradle to Crayons) at PI Convention which will benefit the children in Chicago that are at risk and unable to afford school supplies. Eaach student will be given a bag filled with supplies with the Pilot Club logo on it (a ship’s wheel).

CAMP HOPE WAS THE DESIGNATED PROJECT FOR THE HEARTLAND DISTRICT SRING CONVENTION IN JUNCTION CITY, MAY 2ND & 3RD.

Betty Schneider (projects chair) presents a van load of items collected at Pilot Club Spring Convention plus 9 digital cameras and $1150.00 in checks & gift cards to Gail Moeder from Camp Hope

Camp Hope - Heartland is a 501c(3) nonprofit camp whose goal is to provide a normal, active and safe camp experience where children can celebrate life beyond a cancer diagnosis. It takes place at Camp Aldrich near Claflin, Kansas June 16-22, 2019. Camp hope was started in 1983 by Donna Brown who lost two precious children to cancer (Kyle and Melanie). Camp Hope is open to children & teens between ages of 5-17 years of age who have or have had cancer. A day camp is offered for ages 4 or for youth unable to attend the the full week of camp. Camp Hope is FREE for all attendees. It costs approximately 41,000 per camper for the week. Campers coome from Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

Camp Hope is unique. It assists camper’s needs through a fully functional, on-site medical team 24-hours a day.Volunteers come from as far as Alaska and return year after year. Some of the campersreturn as volunteers when they become adults.It takes approximately 120 volunteers to run the camp. The campers enjoy traditional summer camp activities including, but not limited to swimming, bowling, golf, fishing, hiking, archery, arts, crafts, photography, and more.

Camp Hope is a time for children to be with peers who have or have had similiar life-altering illnesses and in a setting that lets them forget about their cancer, enjoy normal activities, and enjoy one of the best weeks of their lives. It gives them a sense of empowerment, self-determination anfd self-esteem. Some campers return year after year.

Great Bend Pilot Club Supports "Invest in Kids' Club

Pilots Ros Neeland, Janice Walker, Heather Quillan representing Sunflower Diversified, Betty Schneider presenting the check, Sally O’Connor and Barbara Watson. These Pilot Club members along with Heather are working on the next Autism workshop scheduled for April 18, 2020.

Great Bend Pilots collect their spare change in a can at all their meetings. Part of this money was donated to Sunflower Diversified Services to support their “Invest In Kids” Club. The “Invest In Kids” Club ensures the future of infants and children with develomental delays. Their mascot is Grant the Giraffe’

Great Bend Pilot Club donates $250.00 to Great Bend Public Library Summer Program

Great Bend Pilot Club Members - Seated: Rhonda Knudson, Darlene Mathers, Renee Johnson and Nancy Schuetz. Standing: Sharon Mauler, Judy Fox presenting the $250 check to, representing the library, Marty Aldrich, Mary Cramer, Nancy Rogers and Carol Hawk.

Great Bend Pilot Club is the first sponsor for the Barton County Walk to End Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s is a gradual and slowly progressive disease of the brain that destroys memory and other important mental functions. It is a neurodegenerative disorder chacacterized with impaired memory, reasoning, language and perception. Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia in the United States. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s increases drastically after the age of 70 and affects roughly one half of the population over the age of 85, although many people live into their 90’s and never develope Alzheimers.

The causes of Alzheimers is unknown. Living with the disease impacts an individual’s ability to function in everday life. Treatment options are available. The individuals with Alzheimer’s needs to feel safe and secure in their environment and need a solid sense of routine. Reducing clutter in the home and keeping everything in the same place can help reduce confusion. A healthy diet and daily walks and light exercise can be beneficial to reducing the symptoms of the disease.

Betty Schneider of the Great Bend Pilot Club presents a check for $500 to Denise Vann, Program Specialist/Walk Manager for the Barton County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Saturday5, 2019, location to be determined. Pilot Club is the first sponsor for the walk. Honor a loved with Alzheimer’s or who had the disease with a tribute donation to the Great Bend Pilot Club Alzheimer’s Walk Team.

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Great Bend Pilot Club hosted the Great Bend Chamber coffee April 18, 2019

Great Bend Pilot Club President Rhonda Knudson explains how Pilot Club got it’s name. The name Pilot was inspired by the mighty riverboat pilots of the 1920’s who represented leadership and guidance. Pilot Club’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in our community. Our focus is to Do More, Care More and Be more. Our emphasis is on brain related diseases and injury, research and how to prevent brain injury. Rhonda discussed our projects which aide our community and the fundraising that makes these projects possible. Geraniums and a pie were given as door prizes.

GREAT BEND PILOT CLUB SHARES BRAIN-O BINGO WITH COMMUNITY SENIORS

March 11-17 is dedicated as Brain awareness week. The Brain Awareness Week campaign unities families, schools, and communities in a worldwide celebration of the brain.The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiative founded the now- global campain in 1996.

Great Bend Pilot Club advances Pilot International’s goal to protect the brain through education and research. BrainMinders is Pilot International’s signature program origionally designed in 2001 to teach safety to chilren to help prevent brain injuries. Realizing there was a need to teach brain prevention to people of all ages, Pilots have expanded the program to include presentations for youth and seniors. One of these presentations is Brain-O Bingo for Seniors. Great Bend Pilots decided to support brain awareness by introducing Brain-O Bingo to four senior health facilities is in Great Bend, Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Riverbend, Medicalodge and Brookdale.

Instead of calling out bingo numbers the call-cards have a safety picture with a written safety tip on the card such as, a picture of a walking cane with a safety tip of “if you need a walking cane to walk independently, make sure you have one that will not slip on the floor.” Another example is a call-card with a picture of eyeglasses under the R heading. The safety tip reads: “if you wear eyeglasses, keep them clean so you can see better to prevent accidents and keep them in a designated safe place where you can easily find them.” Frequently Pilots give you a story or example of what happens if the safety tip is not followed. If the picture called is found on your card, you place a marker. Markers in a straight line up & down, across or diagonal give you a bingo. An owl picture in the center is like the free space on a regular bingo card.

On March 15, 2019 James, a resident at Great Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center, played Brain-O Bingo with Pilot Club. Note the pictures on his card instead of numbers.

On March 19, 2019 Great Bend Pilots Sally O’Connor & Norma Ward assist residents at Great Bend Health & Rehabilitation with Brain-O Bingo. Janice Walker calls out the picture on the call-card and gives the appropriate safety tip that matches the picture.

On March 22 Great Bend Pilots Renee Johnson, Joyce Fry, Janice Walker, and Darlene Mathers assist residents at Riverbend with Brain-O Bingo. Jari Marietta calls out the picture on the call-card.

Medicalodge residents play BrainO Bingo.

Pilot member Donna Kimber assists residents at Mediclodge. play Brain O Bingo.

On March 27, Pilot Club members assist Brookdale residents play Brain-O Bingo. Members are Betty Schneider, Janice Walker, Barbara Watson, Marilyn Kopke and Carol Hawk and Daniel Watson in the back.

Brookdale residents play Brain O Bingo.

Great Bend Pilot Christmas Luncheon was held on December 18th at Flavored Celebrations.

Mary Lou, Dee, Dalene, Renee

Marilyn, Barbara, Janice, Jari, Carol, Marty

Cindy, Norma, JoAnne

Becky, Nancy and Lois

Pilot Club members enjoyed a lunch of chicken club casserole, salad andchocolate turti cake for desert. Christmas games and drawings were enjoyed by all. Each member was given a Christmas name according to their month of birth and first name.

Nancy, Lynette, Dedra, Sally and Mary

Pilot Club sponsors the Military Moms program.

Pictured are some of the items collected by Pilot Club members for the deployed Military Soldiers in the war zones. The Military Moms program is in its 13th year and was origionally started and continues to be coordinated by Leslie Barrett. Pilot Club will also provided funds to mail some of the care packages. Pilot Club encourages others to donate items or money for postage to the club or Leslie Barrett. Packages are mailed randomly due to increased security in the war zones. Donations can be made by calling Barrett at 620-792-2838 or sending them to Great Bend Military Moms. Po Box 432 in Great Bend, Ks 67530.

Great Bend Pilot Club Display Their Banners and a Yearbook of Last Year's Events on a Table in the Library

Pilots motto is to Do More, Care More and Be More as displayed on their poster.

Membership Division of Pilot Club presented a Share Pilot event for new prospective members on October 30th at Perkins resturant.

(Back) Rhonda Knudson, script writer for the skit, Nancy Sundahl, who acted as the hostess, (Front) Mary Cramer and Janice Walker portrayed two friends who discussed starting a new club to be called Pilot Club, it’s colors and emblem. The skit was presented at the Share Pilot event on the 5th Tuesday of the month.

Members visit during Share Pilot Event.

GREAT BEND PILOT CLUB IS A MAJOR SPONSOR FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK

Sally O’Connor, Renee Johnson, Mary Cramer, Marty Aldrich, Joyce Fry, Rhonda Knudson and Carol Hawk participated in the walk against Alzheimer’s October 6th at the Activity Center in Hoisington. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that impairs memory, thinking and behavior. It’s the most common form of dementia, characterized by progressive and chronic deterioration of cognitive functions, including memory, thinking and reasoning.

Members are holding colored flowers to designate whether they are walking for someone who has Alzheimer’s, someone who died from Alzheimer’s or currently has Alzheimer’s.

Great Bend Pilots make quilts & blankets for the Comfort Embrace project

Great Bend Pilots display some of the 34 quilts that were donated to the children in the foster care system in our area. 386 quilts & tied blankets have been donated to this project in the past 10 years. Pilots sew quilts all year, then bring them to a meeting to be tied.

Great Bend Bend Pilots tie quilts at one of the meetings.

Great Bend Pilot Club Donates to BCC Food Bank

Nolan Elmore, Janice Walker, Nancy Sundahl, Rhonda Knudson, Coleen Cape (Foundation Director), Sally O'Connor, Sharon Mauler, Mary Lou Stewart, Patrick Busch and Judy Fox present a check for $200.00 for the Food Bank and will donate an additional check for $200.00 in January. 

Judy Fox (Projects coordinator) & Rhonda Knudson (President) show the Food Pantry. 

BCC students who utilize the food in the Food Bank.

The Food Bank at BCC was started 11/2017 by Patrick Bush and Nolan Elmore. They realized their was a need for "food insecure" students to have access to groceries on weekends and holidays, since the cafeteria is closed at these times. Many of the foreign students and those who live a great distance from BCC have no access to meals or groceries in town. The pantry is now thriving due to a partnership with the Kansas Food Bank (1 of 3 schools to utilize this program) and through private donations. This year a community garden was started by Kelsey Hall, a Food Service employee to supplement the pantry with fresh produce.  When students are hungry they don't function as well physically and academically. Pilot Club promotes education, research and brain injury prevention. Providing adequate food to students promotes strong bones and increased learning opportunities. If you are interested in more information or want to donate, contact Director of Central Kansas Upward Bound. Patrick Busch at BCC at 620-786-1182 or buschp@bartonccc.edu

Freddie's Event

Pilot members Janice Walker, Renee Johnson, Norma Ward, Sally O'Connor, Betty Schneider, Marcia Johnson and Marilyn Kopke at the Freddie's event

Pilots along with their friends and families enjoy supper at Freddie's in support of Alzheimer's and Pilot's projects.

Leadership and Learning Summit, August 25, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas

Marilyn Kopke, Fundraising coordinator and Rhonda Knudson, President (in back) and Betty Schneider, treasurer, Renee Johnson, Leadership coordinator, Marcia Johnson, president-elect and Mary Cramer, PIFF representative attend the leadership and Learning Summit in Wichita August 25. Over 100 Pilot members from Ks-Mo ans Ark-Ok attended the workshop.

At the Summit Marilyn Kopke and Marcia Johnson sell changes on 2 table runners made by Lynette Blakeslee and Billie Bonomo and sell Microwave bowl cozies (cut out by Pilot members & sewed by Billie Bonomo.

13 Members of the Midwest Battle Buddies, Inc.brought their service dogs to our meeting and explained their program and  how it impacted the lives of these veterans. One member demonstrated how his dog followed commands and how he helped him get to his feet after he was on the ground.

Midwest Battle Buddies is an organization that is dedicated to providing service dogs and training to Veterans of the US military who suffer from PTSD, TBI and other service related ailments. The Battle Buddies focus on reducing the number of suicides ( about 23 per day) and help to reduce the drugs necessary by using service dogs. 

Great Bend Pilots provide supper for the Circles of Central Kansas Program

Circles of Central Kansas, is a program designed to give people a road map out of poverty. Circles of Central Kansas is a joint effort between the Barton County Health Department, the 20th Judicial District Community Corrections, the Essdack Program at the Barton County Academy, and the Kansas Kids at Gear Up.  The Circles program connects people in relationships across income lines and helps develop clear goals for education and stable income.  Circles are focused on supporting families to help themselves completely out of poverty.

Nicci Henderson, Judy Fox, Joyce Fry and Ros Neeland provided desert for supper and  pizza for the Circle's meeting on August 16th. Janice Walker decided not to purchase a past president's pin and donated the money for the pizza.