HUMBOLDT — Never was a workshop more aptly named.
Saturday’s Day of PRIDE — where representatives from small communities across the state gathered to discuss how they work to improve their hometowns — also allowed Humboldt’s citizens to show how much can be accomplished with good old-fashioned teamwork.
Saturday’s daylong workshop, themed “Dollars For Dreams,” allowed PRIDE representatives from several southeast Kansas communities to exchange ideas on everything from seeking grants and fundraising to improving local volunteerism and developing popular festivals or other events.
Day of PRIDE was administered by the Kansas PRIDE Program, the Kansas Department of Commerce and K-State Research and Extension, with the assistance of several corporate sponsors.
Humboldt was one of three sites across the state to host Day of PRIDE activities.
There was plenty to boast about locally.
A bus tour of the Humboldt area showed how effective the power of cooperation between city government, the business community and local volunteers can be. Tour stops included the new USD 258 Sports Complex, the Humboldt Community Fieldhouse, Neosho River Park, the Southwind Rail Trail and local industrial leaders, B&W Trailer Hitches and Monarch Cement.
The Neosho River Park, developed using a combination of grant funds, tax dollars and plenty of volunteer work, was the centerpiece of the tour. Saturday’s bus tour participants gushed over the park’s stairwell and fishing platform, limestone amphitheater, butterfly garden and picturesque walking trail.
IOLA ALSO drew rave reviews when Saturday’s workshop turned its focus on the importance of community foundations.
Best described as a community’s savings account, Julie Roller of the Kansas Rural Communities Foundation discussed the benefits of a strong community foundation.
Her talk was fortuitous.
Donna Houser, representing Iola’s Community Involvement Task Force/PRIDE Program, noted just one week prior a massive fundraiser to benefit the Allen County Community Foundation.
The “Day of Giving” drew in more than $149,000 that day, Houser said, drawing gasps of admiration from the fellow attendees.
A SERIES of roundtable discussions focused on such topics as developing community events, earning grants for various purposes, marketing and involving volunteers.
PRIDE groups in Lucas, Lenora and Spearville received PRIDE Star Capital Awards for their various projects.
Five others, including Iola’s Kara Godfrey, received a PRIDE Community Partner Award for the work she does as a volunteer.
