MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson organization serving children and families is preparing for its largest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds dedicated to a campaign aimed at creating a permanent home and expanding services.
Megan Bartley said the organization’s annual benefit event will be held Oct. 10, with tickets priced at $50 per person or $350 for a table of eight.
“Our benefit event on October 10, which is our biggest fundraiser of the year, is coming up very quickly,” Bartley said. “It is shaping up to be a really incredible event that you don't want to miss.”
The "Fill a Jar, Fill a Heart" event will be from 4:45 to 9 p.m. at Cottonwood Court on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Admission includes a home-cooked meal prepared by Bartley’s family, a program, access to a silent auction and a special presentation from children served by the organization.
Bartley said all proceeds from this year’s event will support the organization’s Dream Building Fund campaign, an effort to establish a permanent facility in Hutchinson.
“All of these proceeds are going towards our Dream Building Fund campaign, so that we can create deep roots, permanent roots here in Hutchinson for continued growth and continued services for our community for the years to come,” Bartley said.
The need for additional space is becoming increasingly apparent as demand for services continues to exceed the organization’s current capacity.
Bartley said approximately 60 children receive services each week, while the waiting list consistently includes more than 80 children.
“That just shows the need, that our services matter,” Bartley said. “There's a huge gap in our community, and we are working to fill that gap every chance that we get.”
The organization also serves families well beyond Hutchinson. Bartley said some regularly travel several hours each way to access services, highlighting a shortage of similar resources in rural communities.
“The sooner that we can build permanent roots, the sooner we can grow and continue to provide services for those kiddos,” she said.
The organization has recently expanded its staff with the addition of occupational therapists Dominic Maldonado and Bailey Albright. However, Bartley said adding staff and serving additional children is becoming increasingly difficult because the organization is operating at maximum capacity in its existing facility.
A new building would provide more than additional therapy space. Bartley said plans include expanding programs designed to support entire families.
“This building is more than just a space for therapy sessions,” Bartley said.
Future plans include expanded parent support groups, conferences and additional sensory-safe events throughout the year.
“As we can build, as we can create more space with more resources, we can provide more support for the entire family, not just the kiddos that we see,” Bartley said.
The Oct. 10 benefit will also include a silent auction, and organizers continue to accept donated items. People do not have to attend the benefit in person to participate in much of the auction.
Bartley said registration to bid is free, and most of the auction will use a hybrid format allowing supporters to place bids remotely and pick up winning items the following week.
Beyond raising money, Bartley said the benefit offers community members an opportunity to learn more about the organization, the families it serves and its plans for the future.
“If you are curious about our mission, if you have any questions, this is the event to attend, to learn, to be in the room, to see our services at work,” Bartley said, “and to really help us reignite compassion in healthcare.”