Organization shares director with Harvey County
There's been an administrative shift but Big Brothers Big Sisters is still going strong in Marion County.
Jackie Rice, director of the Marion County program for the past two years, now is also the director for the Harvey County program.
"This enabled Marion County to hire a part-time case manager," said Rice.
Roger O'Neal of Peabody is the case manager and works directly with volunteers and children.
"He conducts interviews, does intakes, background checks, and follow-ups," Rice said. She noted one of the most noticeable differences between BBBS and other similar organizations is ongoing support and supervision.
Rice's duties will remain administrative which includes fund-raising and promotion.
Although Rice will split her time between offices in Marion and Newton, she is only a phone call or e-mail message away. She will check an answering machine and e-mail daily for both Marion County and Harvey County organizations.
This type of operation is a unique concept because the affiliates will remain the same.
"This is something nobody has tried before in keeping the entities separate," Rice said.
Independent funding efforts will continue with each entity.
"Money donated in Marion County will stay in Marion County," Rice emphasized.
Adult volunteers are always needed, she said, with 40 children in Marion County waiting for a big brother or big sister.
"We especially need more male volunteers," Rice said. "Women tend to volunteer more than men for this type of program."
Volunteers can commit 30 minutes once a week to participate in the school program or two to three hours three to four times a month for the community program.
For more information, call (620) 382-3800 or e-mail Rice at jrice@ksbbbs.org.
Moore receives
award for exhibit
Meredith Moore of Marion recently received the Best Senior Award for her exhibition at Commerce Bank in Manhattan.
Thirty-five Kansas State University students submitted 76 works of art with 19 selected for the Commerce Bank Student Comprehensive Exhibition. Moore is a senior in fine arts.
