Operation Santa - KKOW Radio

In 1966, the late Dan Willis, a radio personality at KKOW radio station, wanted to do something to brighten the lives of all individuals living at PSH during the Christmas holiday season. He was the driving force behind Operation Santa, ensuring that each person received special Christmas gifts selected specifically for them. Although Dan lost his battle with cancer in 2005, in his memory, the tradition has continued. KKOW radio station continues to hold fundraisers, including the Memorial Dan Willis Poker Run, to raise money for Operation Santa. PSH Endowment also ensures that each person receives three gifts.

 In recent years, other worthwhile projects have been established by other organizations and volunteers to assist with Operation Santa. The Labette Community College Nursing Department purchases approximately 50 gifts from individuals’ lists, wraps them all, and delivers them to the hospital for distribution on Christmas morning. 

Donations are accepted throughout the year from memorials, benefactors, and parents.  All proceeds from donations are used to purchase Christmas gifts for the residents. PSH Endowment provides additional funding support to help ensure each resident at PSH receives at least three of the items on their Christmas list.

 For more information or to contribute to Operation Santa, contact 620-448-3091 or email Marlys.Shomber-Jones@ks.gov.

Gary J. Daniels Sunbelt Rodeo

The primary sponsor of the Annual Gary J. Daniels Sunbelt Rodeo is the PSH Endowment Association. Since 1981, this unique event has offered the thrills of rodeo competition to individuals with intellectual and other disabilities. Participants are divided into four divisions based on their riding skills and compete in events such as goat tying, horsemanship, trail course, flag racing, pole bending, barrel racing, keyhole, and mechanical bull riding. Volunteers, service organizations, schools, and businesses return year after year, volunteering their time, horses, and other resources that contribute to the rodeo's success.

Participants travel for the competition from Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas. The event begins on Friday with two "Go-Rounds" in various events, including barrel racing, trail course, pole bending, mechanical bull riding, keyhole, flag racing, horsemanship, and goat tying. The evening culminates with a barbecue and dance.

Starting at 9 a.m., Saturday’s events conclude with the top 10 finalists in each event and division competing for the top prize in their event. Over the 44-year history of the rodeo, awards have been added to include “Top Hand,” and “Legends” awards in each division, and Top Cowboy and Top Cowgirl in each division.  Belt buckles and plaques are awarded to the winners of these categories. 

For more information about participating in or volunteering for the rodeo, call 620-448-3091  or email Marlys.Shomber-Jones@ks.gov.

Zimmerman Family Indoor Riding Arena

The most recent addition to the rodeo was the completion in 2009 of the Zimmerman Family Indoor Riding Arena – an indoor riding arena to allow year-round riding for residents at PSH. The 100’ x 200’ arena, with a 100’ x 200’ seating area, was funded through the Endowment Association and a generous donation by a parent of one of the residents. The arena has been named the “Zimmerman Family Indoor Riding Arena” in honor of that donation.

Parent Advisory Board

The Parent Advisory Committee was established in August 1980. Membership then consisted of parents of individuals with developmental disabilities, self-employed individuals, bankers, teachers, attorneys, pharmacists, and railroad employees. The purpose of the committee was to solicit citizen advice by creating and supporting active citizen advisory boards, serving as one means of making the facility accountable to the state. This was achieved by monitoring the implementation of new policies and procedures, assisting in setting budget priorities, overseeing programs, ensuring patient rights, and training staff.

In 1982, the committee split into two groups, establishing the Parsons State Hospital Endowment Association. The focus of the Endowment Association was to provide a source of funding for the various projects, entertainment, equipment, benefits, and other charitable programs for residents of PSH. One of the first projects of the Endowment Association was the Sunbelt Special Rodeo. The Endowment Association is a community-oriented, not-for-profit organization controlled by a board of directors composed of parents and business leaders within the community.

Today, the Parent Advisory and Review Committee members are parents of individuals who are or have been residents of PSH. They continue to advise the administration on matters related to programs and community relations that represent the interests of parents and residents of persons served by the facility. The Superintendent advises the committee on current legislation affecting the hospital, budget issues, and numerous other ongoing projects. The parent group is instrumental in communicating with legislators throughout the state, providing valuable insight into the services, care, and treatment provided to individuals receiving services through PSH.

The Parsons State Hospital Citizen Advisory Committee was started in 2023 and meets biannually.  Current programs, staffing, challenges, partnerships, and overall hospital philosophy are shared and shaped by this committee.  The committee consists of:

• PSH leadership
• Southeast DCF regional director
• Labette County sheriff and under sheriff
• Labette Community College president
• Parsons police chief and deputy chief and COPPS and  accreditation manager
• State legislators
• Parsons City and Labette County commissioners
• Parsons city manager, mayor, and economic development director
• USD 506 and USD 503 superintendents
• Labette County Mental Health and the Labette County Medical Center directors
• Parsons Ministerial Alliance
• Parsons Recreation Commission director
• CDDO of SEK representative
• Parsons Chamber of Commerce director