Blue Valley Recreation News

Wed, Jul 7, 2010 - [Blue Valley]
Blue Valley Recreation is hosting a drive for individual powdered drink packets, like the kind your kids take in lunch boxes or to outdoor events. They’ll be sent to U.S. soldiers stationed overseas, to honor them and show our appreciation for their courageous service in protecting our freedoms — a timely reminder of what Independence Day is all about!
Average temperatures in Iraq exceed 100° from July-September. Afghanistan temperatures average 85° during those same months. Add to the scorching heat: the uniform, boots, helmet and 100+ pound backpack and you can understand why staying hydrated is critical to our soldiers. Although water is readily available to the troops, sometimes adding an extra “kick” is a welcome change for them!
 
Held at the Activity Center, located at 6545 W. 151 St., in Overland Park, the public is invited to contribute. Bring packets to the lobby and place in the orange cooler by July 12. We’re partnering with the military base at Fort Riley to get the packets shipped to soldiers who are stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
 
Major Byron Sarchet, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, served two tours in Iraq. He said the package contents didn’t matter as much to the soldiers he served with as the fact that people back home thought about them. Sarchet added, “My favorite thing to get was good coffee. We had a world map with push pins to evaluate all the different coffees we received and enjoyed.” One memorable gift he received was from a relative--a black scarf inscribed with “This is as merry as I get!” Sarchet said he loved the scarf and wore it at Christmas that year.
 
Help us make “more merry” for our troops!
 
by Connie Skeens
 
 
Hours of Operation

Activity Center
6545 W. 151st Street
Monday - Friday, 6am-9pm
Saturday, 7am-7pm
Sunday, noon-7pm
913.685.6000
For weather cancellations
call 913.685.6099

Recreation Complex Office (Sports)
9701 W. 137th Street
Monday - Friday, 8am-4:30pm
913.685.6030
For weather cancellations
call 913.685.6099
 

Administrative Offices
6545 W. 151st Street
Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
913.685.6000

Vision Statement:

"Enriching Lives, Strengthening a Spirit of Community"

Mission Statement:

"We will champion community and personal growth through dynamic lifelong recreation experiences."