KCSL honors local family at event benefitting Finney County children and families

Kansas Children’s Service League

Garden City, Kan. – November 25, 2019 – Kansas Children’s Service League’s (KCSL) Red Stocking Breakfast offers a family-friendly holiday atmosphere and benefits two long-standing programs in the community, Head Start and Early Head Start. While these programs are federally or state funded and may receive additional support from United Ways and other grant sources, both rely on Red Stocking Breakfast funds to serve their area. The event featuring a breakfast buffet served by local celebrities will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center, 1911 E. Kansas Ave. in Garden City.

KCSL has named Lana and Frank Urteaga as the 2019 Honorary Chairs. Lana, sergeant in the Office of Public Information for the Garden City Police Department, joined KCSL’s local Community Leadership and Development Council (CLDC) in 2018. Since, she has brought new members to the CLDC and cultivated partnerships between KCSL and other community agencies. Lana and Frank, vice president of Bank of the West, have two daughters, Ruby and Ava.

“KCSL does amazing work with understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how that applies to child behavior,” said Lana Urteaga. “Some behaviors not identified early on may lead to crime later on if intervention is not there. KCSL is a great asset to have in our community for children and families.”

One hundred percent of the proceeds from Red Stocking Breakfast will help support KCSL’s Finney County prevention and education programs. Attendees will have a chance to win a family trip to Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark (Dallas area) and hotel accommodations for two nights. Mary Martha Good, KCSL’s Head Start and Early Head Start director, will emcee at the event.

Both Head Start and Early Head Start rely on volunteers and parent involvement, which is a big part of Red Stocking Breakfast.

“Community engagement is a vital piece of our local early childhood programs,” Good said. “By attending Red Stocking Breakfast, you help ensure that we can continue providing quality services to children and families in the Garden City area.”

Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Children 10 and under eat free. Advance tickets are available at tiny.cc/RSBtix. Advance ticket prices end Friday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m.

In addition to the Clarion Inn and Conference Center, major partners are Samy’s Spirits and Steakhouse; Golden Plains Credit Union; Southwind Broadcasting; Fry Eye Associates; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; Edward Jones Financial Advisor Tyler Stubenhofer; Accelacare Physical Therapy; Garden City Police Department; Burtis Motor Company; American Family Insurance, Neil Hawley; Price & Sons Funeral Home; Robinson Oil Company; and Valley State Bank.

A Holiday Tradition

The Red Stocking Breakfast is a continuance of a tradition of holiday giving to KCSL that started nearly 100 years ago. In the 1920s, the community was invited to take holiday gifts to children living at KCSL’s receiving home, a temporary residence for children awaiting a foster or adoptive home. These children would hang their “Little Red Stockings” in anticipation of the generosity of the community. KCSL will also hold Red Stocking Breakfast events in Wichita, Hutchinson, Topeka, Kansas City, Emporia and Liberal.