MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas PRIDE program has honored eight communities across the state with its Community of Excellence award for their ongoing accomplishments in community development.
The Kansas PRIDE program is a partnership of K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce, the Kansas Masons and Kansas PRIDE, Inc.
This year’s recipients include Alton, Blue Rapids, Caney, Iola, Lecompton, Norton, Potwin and Randolph.
“The award is given to local PRIDE volunteer groups that continuously work to improve their communities through activities such as determining the community’s needs, establishing goals, creating projects and celebrating successes,” said Jaime Menon, state leader for community vitality and co-coordinator for Kansas PRIDE. “Volunteers form a local PRIDE organization that works with K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Department of Commerce to accomplish their goals.”
As Community of Excellence award winners, each community is eligible to apply for Volunteers Impact PRIDE grants of up to $15,000 to fund future community improvements. The Community of Excellence designation is awarded to a community for three years.
“Kansas PRIDE is a volunteer-led organization,” Menon said. “These awards highlight the hard work the volunteers provide for communities in the state. Each community has its own unique structure, culture and assets, and Kansas PRIDE volunteers work to bring out the best in their communities and promote what they have to offer. It is through the work of these volunteers that Kansas communities continue to thrive and be a great place to live and raise a family.”
More information about the Kansas PRIDE program is available by calling 785-532-5840 or sending email to [email protected].
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FOR PRINT PUBLICATIONS: Links used in this story
Kansas PRIDE, http://www.kansasprideprogram.ksu.edu
K State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K State campus in Manhattan.
Story by:
Jan Steen
[email protected]
For more information:
Jaime Menon or Jan Steen
785-532-5840
[email protected]
