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Care to Share outlines 2024 spending, new office and free community stage
Summary
Local cancer-support nonprofit Care to Share told the Fort Scott City Commission it distributed about $96,405 in direct financial assistance in 2024, opened a new office, and accepted a donated portable stage that the group will make available for city events.
Corey Briers, representing the nonprofit Care to Share, told the Fort Scott City Commission on Jan. 21 that the organization provided $96,405 in direct financial support to people affected by cancer during 2024 and described plans for 2025.
Care to Share’s mission, Briers said, is “to provide friendship and support through emotional and financial assistance to cancer fighters and their caregivers.” He said volunteers provide “sunshine visits” and regular check-ins, and the group supplements emotional support with gas vouchers and other financial help.
Briers said about 75 percent of the group’s 2024 financial assistance — some $73,000 — went to Bourbon County residents and their families, about 20 percent to Crawford County and about 5 percent to Linn County. He said those percentages “line up roughly with our donations.”
The group reported several operational changes. Briers said Care to Share opened an office at 9 East Wall, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., with two co‑occupants who will share rent. He said the nonprofit has an ongoing monthly rent obligation of $600; the two co‑occupants pay $500 combined, and a small grant covers the remainder for now.
Briers also said the Timken Foundation donated $73,600 to buy a portable community stage and that Care to Share will make the stage available at no charge or for a nominal donation to the city and local nonprofits. “To rent that stage, you'd have to call Joplin, maybe Kansas City, Wichita, and Springfield,” he said, explaining the donated stage will reduce event costs locally.
Commissioners and city staff discussed collaboration on a proposed concert and events series that would use the stage. Brad Matkin, the city manager, said the city will help with marketing and outreach and that the collaboration could reduce repeated fundraising requests to local businesses by providing a structured sponsorship program.
Briers said Care to Share has given and received about $1.6 million since it began fundraising in 2009, and emphasized the organization is all‑volunteer. He provided contact information and asked the commission and the public to share details about the group with people who might need help or want to volunteer.
Ending: Commissioners thanked Briers for the update and said city staff will continue coordinating with Care to Share on event logistics and sponsorship outreach.
