A short program at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee didn’t allow enough time to talk about everything the American Legion Family has to offer, said Bo Levingston, commander of the Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend. He mentioned Girls State and Boys State, providing educational opportunities for students interested in public service, as well as the Cadet Law Enforcement Academy.
With much more to share, he turned the program over to Chris Kruger with the Sons of the American Legion.
The Post Home at 1011 Kansas Ave. serves four entities: The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Riders.
They participate in various activities, including sending off and welcoming home service members and standing flag lines at veteran funerals. They are actively involved in community service, such as helping with local events like Party in the Park and Air Fest.
“We offer scholarships, another really well kept secret,” Kruger said. “We offer a number of scholarships, both here at the post level and at the state level.”
They host regular meals, including hamburger feeds, dinners, steak nights and brunches, offering free meals to uniformed military personnel and first responders.
The American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation helps veterans secure VA disability benefits and temporary financial assistance grants. The post has a holiday giving tree for the Fort Dodge Soldiers Home.
There is a drop-off bin at the post for old flags that need to be retired.
Volunteers are always needed. Finally, the Post Home is available to rent for special occasions.
The Golden Plains Quilts of Valor typically presents flags to veterans on the last Friday of each month. The group has a quilt on display and raffle tickets for that quilt are available at the post.
Announcements
• Cody Harris with Sunflower Diversified Services announced the Turkey Trot 5K will be Saturday, Nov. 16, starting at the north shelter in Brit Spaugh Park. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., the 5K starts at 10:30 and the one-mile fun run starts at 10:35 a.m. Food donations will be accepted for the Barton County Food Bank. Register by Oct. 31 for early bird price and guaranteed T-shirt. Sign up at sunflowerdiv.com/events.
Sunflower also has a raffle for a Chevy Trax Activ to be given away on April 3, 2025. For more information visit sunflowerdiv.com. Tickets are also available at the Westside Market, 5520 10th St.
• Kansas Children’s Service League will host Babies & Little Tykes Day Out, free family fun for children ages 0-3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Great Bend City Auditorium. For more information contact Vicki Richardson, 620-603-8442 ext. 1922 or vrichardson@kcsl.org.
• Heartland Community Church is taking entries for the Turkey Time BBQ Contest and Turkey Donation on Saturday, Nov. 23, in the church parking lot. Teams will cook at least two whole turkeys during the day. These will be provided and then delivered to families in need along with full Thanksgiving meals. For more information contact Kelly Wertz at 4legsup@gmail.com. The deadline to nominate someone for a turkey donation is Nov. 10. For more information call 620-603-6061 or send a text to 620-617-3651. Last year 54 turkeys and sides were delivered, said Sandra Burton.
• Sandra Burton Massage will host the next Chamber Coffee, at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Renue Salon. Burton said she and Buzz Birney with Life Like Jesus Today Ministries are on track to obtain 1,000 sleeping bags by the end of the year. They cost $15-17 each and come in cases of 10. LLJT will handle the storage and distribution. Email livelikejesustoday@gmai.com.
