Kearney High School HOSA students are inviting our community to roll up their sleeves and help save lives during their upcoming blood drive.

The Community Blood Center is currently experiencing a severe blood shortage, making every donation especially important. At the same time, donors will be supporting KHS HOSA students as they work toward their goal of collecting 65 or more units of blood this year.

Friday, Oct. 9

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kearney High School Old Gym

715 E. 19th St.

Community members can schedule an appointment at savealifenow.org/group using group code 7H.

Donors should eat well and hydrate before their appointment, bring a photo ID and be feeling healthy and symptom-free. Donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent, and meet minimum weight requirements.

As an added thank-you, donors can receive a stainless steel flip-spout water bottle while supplies last. Please consider giving a little of your time to make a potentially life-saving difference for someone in our community.

Registration is now open for one of Kearney’s favorite Thanksgiving traditions!

The 15th Annual KSD Education Foundation Turkey Trot will step off at 8:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 26, at Kearney High School Stadium. Families, students, alumni and community members are invited to start the holiday together with a 4-mile or 1-mile walk/run, plus a free Tot Trot for the youngest Bulldogs. A virtual option will also be available Nov. 24-29 for those who want to participate wherever Thanksgiving takes them.

Even better, every step supports Kearney students. Registration fees, donations and sponsorships benefit KSD Education Foundation classroom grants and scholarships while also supporting the Kearney High School Cross Country team. The Foundation’s work helps provide learning opportunities and resources beyond what the regular district budget can support.

Early-bird registration is $30 through Oct. 11 and includes the 2026 Turkey Trot race shirt. Regular registration will be $35 through Nov. 8. Participants can also register later, although race shirts are not included with late registration.

Whether you plan to race, walk with family and friends or simply enjoy being part of a great Kearney tradition, the Turkey Trot is a wonderful way to begin Thanksgiving while supporting our Bulldogs.

Register and find complete race information through the KSD Education Foundation website.

Kearney School District was grateful to welcome members of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions yesterday afternoon, Sept. 23, for a hands-on afternoon of service supporting KSD students and families.

At Kearney Junior High, Centurions assembled KMO Kanteen food packs, sorted and restocked donated clothing and shoes in the KMO Kloset, and organized notebooks, folders and other school supplies left from the Resource Fair. A second group at Kearney High School helped prepare KMO Kanteen food packs for students in the weeks ahead.

Each of those tasks supports the larger work happening throughout KSD to make sure students and families have access to food, clothing, school supplies and other basic resources when they need them.

A special thank-you goes to KSD Social Workers Erin Thomasma and Amanda Textor, whose tremendous support helped make the afternoon possible. From preparing projects and materials to welcoming volunteers and helping coordinate the work, their efforts behind the scenes were essential.

KSD deeply appreciates the Centurions for sharing their time and energy with our schools. Partnerships like this are another great example of what can happen when people throughout the Kansas City region step forward to support students and strengthen their communities.

Thank you to the Centurions, Erin and Amanda for making a difference for our Bulldogs!