November events

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 While most Kansans will spend the holidays surrounded by family and friends, some of the state’s service members will celebrate Christmas thousands of miles from home.

Volunteer Kansas is asking the community to help ensure deployed Kansas service members know they haven't been forgotten by participating in its annual Presents in a Package event.

The holiday effort collects donated items, handwritten notes and Christmas greetings, then brings volunteers together to pack and send care packages overseas. Organizers are also asking Kansas families to submit the names and addresses of loved ones currently deployed so they can receive a package.

Names and addresses of deployed Kansas service members must be submitted by November 9, 2026, to PresentsinaPackage@gmail.com. When sending the email, be certain to include your name and phone number.

Three Ways Kansans Can Help

1. Submit a deployed service member. Friends and family members can submit the name and mailing address of a deployed Kansas service member by emailing PresentsinaPackage@gmail.com. Make certain to include your name and phone number in the email. The deadline is November 9th

2. Donate care package items. Donations can be dropped off at Southwest National Bank branches or KAKE TV through November 9.

Requested donations include individually packaged snacks, beef jerky or Slim Jims, protein bars, trail mix, instant oatmeal, popcorn, crackers, canned foods with easy-open lids, Christmas decorations, cards and letters, games, puzzles, toys, baby wipes, body wash, sunscreen, socks, and lip balm. A complete list can be found at www.volunteerkansas.org.

Because the packages are being shipped overseas, donated items must fit inside an 11 x 8.5 x 5.5-inch box. Do not include aerosols, medications, chocolate, hand sanitizer, fragile glass items, or batteries.

Monetary donations for postage may also be made at any Southwest National Bank branch, made online at Volunteer Kansas’ Facebook page, or sent to: Volunteer Kansas

PO Box 781598

Wichita, KS 67278

3. Volunteer to pack the boxes. Community volunteers are needed Friday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farm Credit Bank Building located at 245 N Waco, Wichita, to assemble care packages for shipment.

Volunteer information and registration are available at VolunteerKansas.org.

A Simple Way to Say “Kansas Remembers”

Brown says Presents in a Package is about more than sending gifts. The project gives Kansans a chance to connect personally with service members who may be spending one of the most meaningful times of the year far from the people they love.

Schools, churches, businesses, civic organizations, families, and individuals are encouraged to participate. Children and students can get involved by creating cards and writing letters of encouragement to include in the packages.

The messages don’t have to be elaborate. A few handwritten words of gratitude can provide a powerful connection to home.

2026 PRESENTS IN A PACKAGE AT A GLANCE

· Submit a deployed Kansas service member’s names and addresses: By Nov. 9 at PresentsinaPackage@gmail.com

· Donate care package items at KAKE TV or any Southwest National Bank location: By Nov. 9

· Donations for the postage fund can be given at any Southwest National Bank branch, on Volunteer Kansas’ Facebook page, or made out to Volunteer Kansas and mailed to

PO Box 781598,

Wichita, KS 67278.

· Volunteer to pack care packages: Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sign up at www.volunteerkansas.org.

· Complete information about the event at www.volunteerkansas.org.

This month's War Room Cry is presented by Home Health and Hospice of Kansas

Nov. 14th 6pm to7pm

at the American Legion Post 4

816 N Water

Wichita Ks

New exciting changes coming for 2027

 You Are Invited Veterans Appreciation Breakfast 6 November 2026 – Serving 7:30am-9:30am 

 John Deere Training Center in Wichita is hosting a Veterans Appreciation breakfast again

Come out and support our heroes

More deatails to come

 A quarterly education and networking opportunity.

The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,200 sites of care, and it is consistently ranked among the nation’s top health care providers.  Many Veterans who may be eligible for VA health care have not enrolled.  Join us to learn about eligibility requirements and the enrollment process.

You may have been exposed to contaminated ground water and not even know it.

Clearway Testing is a public health initiative offering free health testing for anyone who lives in or has spent time in Sedgwick County, Kansas, and may have been exposed to TCE or PCE, chemicals found in contaminated groundwater in parts of the area.

Exposure can happen without you knowing it, and not everyone who has been exposed will develop health problems.

Clearway Testing makes it easy to learn about your potential exposure, receive a free health test, and get connected with additional care if needed. 

If you live in or have spent time in Sedgwick County, don’t wait. Get your FREE health test today!

Learn more at ClearwayTesting.org.

Check back new events will be added as the become avaviable