Ten nonprofits in Southeast Kansas and 12 local students have been selected to receive support from the Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ Foundation (GBL) funds at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas. Through grants to nonprofits, GBL reimburses up to $500 for projects involving youth volunteerism. GBL’s scholarships support local students whose schoolwork and extracurricular activities embody the values that Dylan pursued: adventure, fitness, curiosity, generosity, and a daily zest for life.
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GBL’s 2025 grants
GBL sponsors youth-volunteerism activities through an annual competitive-granting process. Grant applications are open during March. This year’s recipients and their projects are:
- City of Mulberry will invite students from Northeast and Girard school districts to help repaint and refresh the city’s ballpark.
- DBLO Association will host Columbus High School students to build bed frames for children in need.
- Fostering Connections will hold a self-care event for foster and adoptive moms at which youth will provide childcare.
- GBL Club (USD 250) will support numerous causes at Pittsburg High School and in the community.
- Miners Hall Museum Foundation will involve students from Pittsburg Community Middle School’s Kiwanis Builders Club in upgrading the Franklin Community Park playground with safer rubber mulch.
- Parsons Recreation Commission will connect youth volunteers from its summer camp with nursing home residents through games and activities.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States will host the inaugural Pop Tab Palooza, inviting students from more than 30 schools to tour RMHC’s facilities and learn about the power of volunteerism.
- Safe Families for Children will have kids from the Countryside Christian Church children’s ministry prepare and deliver frozen meals for families in crisis.
- Special Olympics Kansas will train youth volunteers to support athletes at inclusive sports events.
- St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools will teach third graders to make fleece baby blankets for families in need.
Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients, and thank you for everything you to do get kids active in our communities!
GBL’s 2025 scholarships
GBL scholarships are available for seniors graduating from Pittsburg, St. Mary’s Colgan, Frontenac, Girard, Northeast, or Southeast high schools that have shown through their actions excellence in academics, school and community involvement, athletics, or the arts, and a general desire to develop good character and leadership.
This year’s recipients are:
- Mia Conrad, Pittsburg High School
- Miriam Fleming, St. Mary’s Colgan High School
- Gabriel Kimsey, Pittsburg High School
- Houston McGown, Girard High School
- Addison Myers, Frontenac High School
- Chloe Nickelson, Pittsburg High School
- Katherine Smith, St. Mary’s Colgan High School
- Teagan Warner, Southeast High School
- Gabrielle White, Pittsburg High School
- Addison Zamora, Northeast High School
In addition, two students have been selected for athletic awards recognizing their leadership and dedication. T.J. Wesley from PHS is the Purple Dragons Inspirational Player of the Year, and Cade Howell from Conway Springs High School has been chosen as the Kpreps/GBL Kansas Player of the Year. Both have demonstrated strong commitment to their schools and communities.
Congratulations, students! Good luck as you start college!
A note from CFSEK
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is proud to be a part of Dylan’s legacy by hosting the Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ Foundation and its grant and scholarship opportunities. Since GBL’s establishment in 2011, it has provided nearly $34,000 in grants and more than $94,000 in scholarships. What a tremendous impact on Southeast Kansas communities!
For more information about how you and your family can work with the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas to pursue your own charitable goals, give us a call or email!