Project Summary

View My Proposal

In Wilson, Kansas, a broad group of citizens unite to create a plan to take action to strengthen the community. With an annual volunteer appreciation picnic for the whole community and participation from individuals and groups, we will develop a community enhancement plan and get to work.

About me

I am 45 years old and married with three young children. Though I am not a home builder by profession, I built six units of affordable senior housing in Wilson called Czech Cottages (www.strawbale-houses.com). I also enrolled and, for the first two years, funded Wilson's participation in the Imagination Library program for young children (www.imaginationlibrary.com). This program is now funded by the school district and has expanded to the entire district. I have a BS in biology and a Master of Public Administration degree. Until 2001, I worked for 10 years as a city and county administrator. In 1993, I received the Kansas Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer for Downtown Revitalization. Six years ago, I started Kansas Nutrition Stores, Inc., a company with small grocery stores located in larger Kansas cities. The focus of the Make It Your Own awards upon broad community involvement is a perfect match with our needs. Our most active Wilson Community Pride volunteers include Jane Galliart, retired Wilson teacher and EMT; Terina Templeton, Wilson Learning Center manager and local Girl Scout leader; Mike Just, local furniture company owner; Leroy Klema, retired auto repair shop owner and avid local historian; Dane Britton, retired financial planner and former mayor; Pastor Kris Bair, Presbyterian and Methodist minister and former English teacher; J.R. Burkhead and Cody Bristow, Wilson High School students and avid cyclists; Brian Smith, Wilson school principal.