Dinner for Five Top RHS Seniors

The Rainier Lions Club annual "Dinner for Five" was held at the Mariachi Allegra in Yelm, WA at 6:00 PM on May 29, 2012.  We had 44 people attend.  The top five academic achievers were invited to attend with their parents and/or guardians.

King Lion, Evan Burnett welcomed our guests and the staff at the restaurant took our orders.  After dinner was served, Rainier High School Counselor, Kris, started the presentation.  She read the "10 Ways to Soar Through Life" from Dr. Dwayne Dyer's book "Unstoppable Me."  Kris started from the bottom of the list and announced the fifth place winner - and so on until she came to the first place winner.  The names of the 5 seniors from 2012 are:  Jessica Baker Reichel, Dalton Delio, Mikaila Mortlock, Cameron Campbell, and Lauren McMullen.

     10 Ways to Soar Through Life

1.       You’re Great-No Matter What!

2.       Persistence Pays Off!

3.       Welcome the Unknown

4.       You Have a Choice

5.       Farewell to Worry

6.       Peace begins with You

7.       Enjoy the Here-and-Now

8.       Healthy Me!

9.       Creativity Is the Key!

10.     What Can You Give?

Kris shared humorous, touching and meaningful stories about each young adult as pictures of them from their infancy to the present were displayed for everyone to view.  The presentation was truly inspiring.  One thing that surprised me was how many of these students thanked their math teachers.  One student's favorite subject was calculus "because it makes sense." 

The young adults at Dinner for Five in 2012 reaffirm my faith in humanity.  Besides doing well academically, these students were all involved in many outside activities:  sports, FFA, SADD, Young Life, community service work.  In short - these young adults are inspiring and joyful to be around.  The common thread throughout the presentation was their love for life, serving their community and making a positive difference in the world. 

The Rainier Lions Club wishes the best and brightest future for all of our graduates in the 2012 graduating class.  Rainier may seem like a simple country community, but at it's heart "community" is what makes our school and town a wonderful, enriching place to live and work.

King Lion:  Evan Burnett welcomes guests

Picture of Leon & his wife and Lions

Lion Rod Miller & his guest - Connie (former Rainier school teacher) Art Y& Charlotte Runyan & Leon & his wife.

Lions Evan Burnett, George & Linda Johnson, Gene Cinkovich & Larry Warner

Lions Sisters: Shirly & Gia

Top 5 seniors - picture 1

Top 5 seniors - picture 2

Top 5 seniors - picture 3

Rainier High School Staff & Cameron Campbell & his parents

RHS principle

King Lion:  Evan Burnett thanking everyone for coming

Lions Special Needs Kid Camp Picture

Lions Picture

Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research shared Donate Life......

Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research shared Donate Life America's status.

 

Facebook and Donate Life America announced an exciting partnership today that will save lives. Everyone can now share their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor through Facebook. Be sure to learn more at the link below!

 

Facebook has partnered with Donate Life America to save lives! You can now share your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor on your Timeline. Go to Timeline, click on “Life Event,” select “Health and Wellness,” choose “Organ Donor.” And make sure to click on the “Officially Register” link to make your decision to be a donor official by registering in your state. It’s that easy! Please sh...are this post with everyone you know.

Other great links about this exciting new partnership:

Story and Video on Mark Zuckerberg interview: http://abcn.ws/Ks4fd5

Story on How This Can Save Lives with Video from Facebook Explaining How to Use the Tool: http://abcn.ws/IGknGK

All ABC News coverage of the initiative will live here: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/organ_donation/

Blog Post from Mark/Sheryl: http://abcn.ws/Ks44P2See More

Lion in South America

STP Mini-Stop in Rainier

The Rainier Lions Club will be hosting a Mini-Stop in on Saturday, July 14, 2012 between 11:00 AM -
3:00 PM at Wilkowski Park in Downtown Rainier, just off of Highway 507.  We will be serving water, strawberry lemonaid, an electrolite drink and homemade treats to the riders.  (Donations.)

So far we have volunteers to make the following  home made treats:  lemon bar cookies, mini muffins & oatmeal - craisin - pecan cookies. 

We need volunteers to help in the booth as well as bakers to make the goodies the days before the race.

Together with Lacey Sunrise Lions

Lions Jean Durant and Don Schmidt participated in the Homework Club at McLane Elementary School. The year long program is sponsored by Together of Thurston County.

Let's Draw the Line between Youth and Alcohol!

YOU can help prevent underage drinking!
Find out how at LetsDrawtheLine.org.

A lot of local leaders and retailers are drawing the line and keeping youth safe. See their pictures here.

Yelm Free Health Clinic

Hi Free Clinic folks!

I hope your interest and enthusiasm for our free clinic initiative is hanging in there! All the information-gathering and strategic planning is taking time, but we keep hearing from everyone who has experience with non-profit organizations that it's all critical to the success of our's, so we feel good about what we're accomplishing.

Here is a brief update on our progress:

The Environmental Scan committee has completed data-gathering and is currently finishing their report to the Planning team. We should be able to use that information to complete our Business Plan within a few weeks. They have collectively spent, I would guess, hundreds of hour with this, and deserve our sincere gratitude and admiration for the systematic way in which they have gathered the necessary data.

The Legal Committee is poised to send applications to the state and federal government for corporate and 501-C3 status as soon as we can make some final decisions based on the Environmental Scan data. They too have spent many hours preparing for these applications, and I admire the terrific job they're doing.

Our Operations Committee has a new chair. Debbie McLean has hit the ground running and is leading this group toward preparations for our actual clinic operation. There's lots more to do, again based on Environmental Scan Committee work, but Debbie hasn't been content to simply wait on this. Her committee is looking at all the options and decisions to be made in terms of actual clinic operation, and will be ready when the necessary data is available.

We got some wonderful news earlier in the month when we were told that the Board of Directors of Yelm Community Services have voted to award our group a grant of $1000 to be used for start-up expenses, mostly state and federal applications. Not only was this a generous financial donation, but an encouraging expression of support from this key community agency. We are looking forward to a continuing close working relationship with YCS. If any of you know YCS board members, please personally thank them for their support.

So, the flame is burning ever brighter! Thank you who have participated thus far for your support as well. And for those of you who are waiting for the good news of an opening date, hang in there. And, if you decide that you have the time and interest to help in the meantime, please let us know. The Operations Committee needs willing hands; contact Debbie McLean if you want to get involved: debbiemclean1@yahoo.com Our Communications Committee will be forming within a month or two, and a Financial Committee will closely follow. We'll need help with both these committees, so stay tuned.

Again, I want to say thank you to all of you for your continuing support. Without you this wouldn't be possible. From just a preliminary look at the data gathered by the Environmental Scan Committee, it's obvious that we have the strong support of the entire community. That alone is validation of all our efforts, and is the kind of inspiration that keeps us excited! E mail or call me if you have questions.

Bill Elledge
w.elledge@comcast.net
(360) 628-1119 

Guess Who Joined the Great & Powerful Lions?

Recruiting and retaining women Lions is important to expanding our organization. Our clubs thrive when we understand the needs of our communities from multiple perspectives, and women and families help us achieve that goal.

In California, Lions displayed their commitment to women by holding their first women’s symposium in Redwood City. The “Mind, Body and Spirit” event devised by District 4-C4 featured a variety of health-related speakers designed to raise awareness of the critical health services offered to the community by Lions clubs. Keynote speaker Dr. Mehmet Oz encouraged participants to take small steps to improve their health and wellness.

In this video, you’ll learn why being a Lion is important and watch part of Dr. Oz’s presentation. You will also see Dr. Oz become one of the 1.35 million Lions around the world.

Visitation To Yelm Midday Lions Club May 24, 2012

Rodney Mitchell & I visited the Yelm Midday Lions Club at Mr. Doug's Restaurant.  Their next meeting is June 28, 2012.  They are friendly and very active.  Some of the activities they are working
on for this summer are:  Motor Cycle Poker Run,  Yelm Prarie Days, Benefit Concert in the Park (to get donations for food to fill backpacks with food and personal items for homeless children in Yelm & Thurston County.) 

Booths are still available to rent for vendors at the Yelm Prarie Days.  They have several different sizes and prices from - small non-covered at $65.00 to large covered for $100. 

The poker run will be held on Saturday, August 18th.  It will go from the park in Yelm with three stops in Pe Ell, WA - then Randal, WA, then Lucky Eagle and finally back to the park in Yelm for hot dogs and beverages.  The cost is $25.00 per rider collecting cards for a poker hand.  (If there are 2 riders on one motorcycle collecting cards, the cost will be $50.00.  If there are 2 riders, but only one is collecting a poker had - the cost will be $25.00 for that motorcycle.)

 In spite of all of their prior commitments to their community, they sent out our information on Peaches, Pears & Nectarines and the Bluegrass Festival to all of their members. They have decided to use Peaches, Pears & Nectarines as their fundraiser this year.  One member canned nectarines last year.  The nice thing about canning nectarines is you leave the peelings on and this makes the juice in the jar a beautiful, rich crimson color!

One Yelm Midday Lions Club memeber even wore last years Bluegrass Pickin' shirt  & printed up Bluegrass Festival Flyers for all of their team members! They are an absolutely delightful group of volunteers!  Thank you for allowing us to visit your Lions Club!  It was a wonderful, memorable experience!

Linda Johnson

Lions Measles Initiative

Lions are proud to work with the Measles & Rubella Initiative & its founding partners: American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, UNICEF, UN Foundation & World Health Organization — to end measles.

New measles cases have been reported in 46 districts of Uganda, making the measles and polio vaccination campaign which launches this Saturday vital. The goal is to vaccinate nearly 6.5 million children under the age of 5 from May 26-28.

Ugandan Lions are among the organizations helping with this effort!

RLC Board Meeting May 21, 2012

The Rainier Lions Club accepted Brenda Flaherty as a new member. Congratulations Brenda!
Brenda attended our board meeting and brought Lemon Bars. Yummy!

Rodney Mitchell brought his daughter Shanna. She spoke about the STP bike race. They would like to have a "mini-stop" in Rainier, WA for the riders. Hamburgers and hotdogs have been suggested, but we think the cost is prohibitive, so we discussed other options. Strawberry lemonade, lemonade, Gatorade (powder mixed with water in 5 gallon containers) & water for beverages. (Both Evan and Victoria have several 5 gallon dring jugs.)  For snacks, we decided on homemade baked goods. Lemon bars, mini-muffins, oatmeal cookies, etc. Shanna liked our ideas and we agreed to have a mini-stop this year at the STP bike race.  We have 3 volunteers to bake thousands of fresh goodies.  Rodney will need volunteers to help him set up and man the tables & donation jars for the STP Mini-Stop July 14, 2012.

We have approval from the Mayor of Rainier, Randy to have our trifold flyer inserted in the water bill for July billing. The flyers need to be folded and turned in by July 1, 2012 for mailing July 12, 2012. We discussed made corrections to the flyers. The corrections were written down by hand and will be corrected on the electronic copy. The corrections will be sent out for membership review prior to printing. We discussed each and every item in the flyer.

We discussed Peaches, Pears and Nectarines: We are waiting on confirmation from Longview Pioneers (Lions Club) of a visitation in June. We received a call from Covington Lions Club, as they would like to sell Peaches Pears and Nectarines as a fundraiser this year. The flyer, outside Lions Clubs order form and individual order list forms were approved. Members will need to send in electronic copies of their individual order lists, so we can update the total sales spreadsheet and keep track of all sales around the time of our regular Lions Club meetings. (Bi-weekly)

We owe LCI $10.57. We voted to write a check to them and mail it out.

Our final count at the bank for White Cane Days ended up at: $206.90. We voted to add to the amount and bring our donation up to $250 for the foundation.

We went over our actual working capital and projected budget for next year. We made corrections to our projected budget.

Evan Burnett received a letter from Bill Miller about a blind boy who needs money to pay to go to summer camp. We voted to donate $100.00 to help pay for the cost of his camp.

We voted to pay to have Victoria Fanton become a certified CPR trainer.

We discussed the tent rental for this year's Bluegrass Festival. This is the last year Art & Charlotte will be renting the tent. We will probably purchase a tent to use for next year's event.

Rodney Mitchell turned over the information on Peaches Pears and Nectarines to George Johnson, so that we know who the supplier and trucker are for future reference.

We have a conflict on May 29, 2012.  The Membership Retention Chair (George Johnson) and incoming Membership Retention Chair (Victoria Fanton) have been invited to Sugar & Nick Murphy’s house for an important meeting and we have the “Dinner for 5” scheduled.  It has been decided that they will attend the meeting and the Murphy’s house.  Their spouses, Linda Johnson & Chris Fanton (& daughter Grace) will attend the “Dinner for 5.”

The Nisqually Valley News and KING 5's Evening Magazine have both been contacted with information about our Bluegrass Festival's 20th Anniversary, Free Health Van and Free Dental Screenings & Immunizations for school age children under 19 years of age.

Our Treasurer will be emailing all local Lions Club Secretaries with information on:  Peaches Pears & Nectarines, in case they would like to have this as a fundraiser for their clubs.  She will also send
information on our Bluegrass 20th Anniversary, including mugs and wooden nickels. 

We appreciate the time, consideration and contributions of all attending members. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend our board meeting. We appreciate your commitment to our club and community!

Message fromChairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation

Dear Lion,

 Judy and I recently toured Louisiana and Mississippi, USA, to see the impact Lions had on communities that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. What I saw there made me proud of all the Lions that had worked to rebuild these communities for the past seven years.

In Louisiana, USA, we visited the Chalmette High School and saw a new building where ruins stood seven years ago after the hurricane. Lions and LCIF provided this school with new buses, a computer center with a Lions logo on each computer, a medical center and a state-of-the-art library. In meeting with the school administration, I even learned that the administrative staff and teachers had formed a school Lions club after personally experiencing the great work that Lions do.

This school demonstrated the "can do" spirit of Lions that was evident in each relief project that we saw throughout the area. Lions make a difference. We stay until the work is done and this is what sets Lions and LCIF apart. We remain committed and see disaster relief through until the end. Lions in Japan, New Zealand, Haiti and many other places around the globe know this as well.

LCIF is able to remain committed to long-term projects thanks to each of you. Your donations provide relief for disasters, support youth, save sight, and save lives through our newest measles initiative. While there are many honorable causes to give to, as this Lions' year nears its end, I ask for you to consider making a special donation for the measles initiative.

Through your measles donations, you can honor a community member or club member with a Melvin Jones Fellowship. There are also opportunities for club and individual recognition, including banner patches to recognize generous clubs. However, the most important reason to donate to the One Shot, One Life: Lions Measles Initiative is that you are saving a child's life with each dollar donated.

I thank you for continuing to support the efforts of LCIF. Together we are making a huge difference in the world.

Serving together today as a beacon of hope,

Sid L. Scruggs III
Chairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation

LCI: Vaccines are Victims of their own Success

Photo courtesy of Christine McNab/Measles & Rubella Initiative

If you have been following our blog, you know the importance of measles vaccinations.

And if you have read the recent measles study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners, you know that measles deaths have dropped by 75 percent in the last decade. Health officials estimate about 9.6 million children were saved from dying of measles from 2000 to 2010 thanks to large vaccination campaigns, according to an article in Business Week.

So, if the number of measles-related deaths is dropping, must we continue to vaccinate?

Yes.

Vaccines are mainly responsible for saving the lives of those 9.6 million children in the last decade. To eliminate measles, vaccination campaigns must continue.

Last year was the worst year for measles in the United States in 15 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were 222 cases of measles, up from an average of 60 cases seen in a typical year. Most of these cases were imported — either by foreign visitors or by U.S. residents who picked up the virus overseas, according to an article in USA Today.

England has been experiencing measles outbreaks due to lower vaccination rates. More than 200 cases of measles have been confirmed in the Liverpool region, making it the largest outbreak in the area since 1988, according to a BBC article.

England is not the only country experiencing outbreaks in Europe. Doctors say measles cases are rebounding in Europe because people do not realize how serious the disease is and are skeptical of the vaccine, according to the Business Week article.

More than 26,000 cases of measles in 36 European countries were reported from January to October of last year in the WHO’s measles summary last December. Despite strong health systems, Western European countries have reported 83 percent of these cases.

Vaccines are a victim of their own success, says an article in USA Today. Thanks to vaccines, the developed world has forgotten what it is like to live with the threat of diseases like measles.

“We’ve not only eliminated these diseases; we’ve eliminated the memory of these diseases,” said Paul Offit, chief of infectious disease at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, in the USA Today article. Because these vaccine-preventable diseases have been forgotten, vaccinations are occurring less.

Preventable diseases caused nearly two thirds of worldwide child deaths in 2010, according to a report in U.S. News. The lack of immunizations in areas where the vaccine is readily available and affordable is causing resurgence in places like the United States and Europe.

“Measles elimination requires focused attention on every country with measles and support to the developing countries which still carry the highest burden of measles cases and deaths,” said Dr. Stephen Cochi, senior advisor for immunization at the CDC, on behalf of the Measles Initiative.

Yes, vaccines are working and measles deaths are dropping where vaccination campaigns are present.

And yes, continued vaccination is needed worldwide to prevent outbreaks.

You can help eliminate measles by contributing to the One Shot, One Life: Lions Measles Initiative.

Story of the Week: Four-Legged Lions’ Mascot Earns His Keep at Fundraisers

 

May 18, 2012

 

by lionsclubsorg

Fundraising can be a chore for many of our clubs. But when you make an effort to keep the fun in your fundraisers, everyone benefits. This is the secret to success of the Lake Saint Louis Lions Club in Missouri. With the assistance of the club’s mascot, a 1-year old Golden Pyrenees puppy, their fundraisers have happily gone to the dogs.

Winston Niles Rumfoord dons a homemade lion costume before hitting the town. The dog’s owner, Lion John Ratcliff, says Winston helps the club collect four times as much money.

“He engages the public,” Ratcliff said. “He makes it more fun. He makes it more fun for me because I’m basically providing entertainment.”
Ratcliff rescued the dog when he was just six weeks old. Winston didn’t require any special training for the task, which includes wearing a mane Ratcliff made by cutting up a giant stuffed animal.
“We get such a reaction from everybody, the kids especially,” Ratcliff says. “Everybody falls in love with him; he’s a sweet dog.”

God Bless America - Celine Dion

The Rainier Lions Club is sponsoring the sale of delicious, tree-ripened, hand-picked, hand-packed, Yakima Peaches, Pears and Nectarines.  20 lb. boxes of free stone peaches or nectarines are $25.00 each and 20 lb. boxes of Bartlett pears is $22.00.  Contact your local club coordinator to place your order.  All orders must be in and paid for by August 5, 2012 for delivery shortly thereafter.   

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Peaches              #boxes______ @ $25.00 =  $________

    Pears                   #boxes______ @ $22.00 =  $ ________

    Nectarines           #boxes______ @ $25.00 =  $ ________  

     Total #  =  $ ________

                     TOTAL #Boxes_______ x $5.00 = - $________

                                                          (Subtract your club profit)

                                               Amount Due            $_________    

Information:

Rodney Mitchell (Chairperson)

Call Evan Burnett @ (360) 280-0205

                 George Johnson @ (360) 292-5363                  

General Meeting Monday 14, 2012

We had a general meeting at 7:00 PM at the Rainier Chapel.  Brenda Flaherty turned in her membership application.  She will be attending our Board Meeting next Monday, May 21, 2012. 

We discussed Bluegrass Festival, wooden nickels, 20th anniversary mugs and several other items.  The price of the mugs is:  $10.00 each.  We will offer them 2 for $15.00 for our members and a one time price at visitations.  Other then that, the price is fixed at $10.00 each. 

Rod wanted to offer hamburgers & hot dogs at the STP stop.  The cost of a food permit to do that would be $135.00 for 4 hours of service.  This isn't practical.  (Chris Beck will not be available to cook at the STP stop.  He usually manages the BBQ.)  Bernice Beck mentioned that most of the STP riders stop in Spanaway to eat a meal.  That being said, the following food items are being considered to sell:

granola bars
power aid
gator aid
apples
oranges
bananas
beef jerky
pop tarts
trail mix (individual serving bag)
nuts (shelled in individual serving bag)

Anyone who has suggestions of food items to offer to the riders, please call King Lion Evan Burnett, or George Johnson with your ideas. 

Peaches, pears & nectarines were discussed.  Where Rodney Mitchell will be the honorary "chair" for this fundraiser, Lions George Johnson and Evan Burnett will keep track of all sales and handle all details for sales, procurement and delivery.  The prices are: 

Peaches      $25.00 for 20#

Pears          $22.00 for 20#

Nectarines  $25.00 for 20#

An order form for other Lions Clubs will be posted on this blog later today. 

Bluegrass 20th Anniversary Mugs on Sale!

The Rainier Lions Club had mugs made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rainier Bluegrass Festival.   We have a very limited supply of mugs for sale at $10.00 each.    The mugs are cobalt blue

with microwaveable gold logos on the front and back.  To buy your mug, call (360) 446-4606.  Ask for Linda or George.

The sale of mugs and wooden nickels will help defray the costs of the health van on August 23, 2012.  We offer free sight, hearing, glaucoma, blood pressure & diabetes tests.  We also offer free immunizations and dental screenings for school age children under 19 years of age.  The van will be at Wolensky Park.  It will open at 11:00 AM and close at 6 PM.

Wooden Nickels

The Rainier Lions Club had wooden coins printed with a value of $5.00 each to presell for meals at the Blue Grass Festival.  The hamburgers cost $5.00, but people who buy the $5.00 token get a hamburger (or hot dog), bag of chips and a drink for $5.00.  This is a savings of $2.50 per meal.  We have a limited supply.  The coins can be purchased from any Rainier Lions Club member.  Call (360) 446-4606 for more information. 

The sale of mugs and wooden nickels will help defray the costs of the health van on August 23, 2012. We offer free sight, hearing, glaucoma, blood pressure & diabetes tests. We also offer free immunizations and dental screenings for school age children under 19 years of age. The van will be at Wolensky Park. It will open at 11:00 AM and close at 6 PM.

Lionism

TO CREATE and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.
TO PROMOTE the principles of good government and good citizenship.
TO TAKE an active interest in the civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare of the community.
TO UNITE the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship, and mutual understanding.
TO PROVIDE a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members at lions events.
TO ENCOURAGE service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works, and private endeavors.

America the Beautiful Mormon Tabernacle Choir

performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Kate Smith introduces God Bless America

America The Beautiful Ray Charles

Whitney Houston Star Spangled Banner Video

To date I have not seen someone perform the Star Spangled Banner better than this rendition by Whitney Houston during Super Bowl XXV

King Lion

Lions Children First shared a link.

Photo of the Week: Lions in Arizona Teach American Flag History to Students | Lions Clubs Internatio

lionsclubs.org

As Lions, we spend many of our service hours providing kids with the tools they need to become successful citizens. Our Leo clubs give young people leadership skills and our Lions Quest Program teaches self-confidence and problem solving. We found this week’s photo at the Eastern Arizona Courier. 

READ MORE

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    Lions Children First Tell us how your club assists with children's education.

Lions Note: State, local officials tally cost of measles outbreak

State, local officials tally cost of measles outbreak

Cost per case could exceed $100,000

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By Phil Cauthon
KHI News Service
May 3, 2012

TOPEKA — Total costs of this year's measles outbreak in Garden City are being tallied by state and local officials and ultimately could be more than $100,000 per case.

Charles Hunt, state epidemiologist at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, would not yet venture an estimate for the cost of the six cases confirmed in January in Finney County. However, he pointed to a recent estimate by the New England Journal of Medicine that put the average cost per case at $160,000 for investigation, follow-up and hospitalization.

"I would characterize the cost as substantial," Hunt said. "It's an all-hands-on-deck situation."

He said between 500 and 600 people in Finney County were suspected of having contact with the six persons known to be infected before they were quarantined. Health workers have worked to reach each of the hundreds of persons potentially exposed.

"Each one of those persons has to be contacted, assessed for their immunization status, determined whether they're at risk, whether or not they've been ill and so on," Hunt said.

Measles, 'every day, all day long'

That work was done by several KDHE officials and employees at the Finney County Health Department. Director Ashley Goss said for the first two weeks of the outbreak, staff worked cases for about 55 hours a week each.

"I would say an average of six staff worked on measles every day, all day long" for the first month, she said.

"But honestly it involved all of my staff. With the phone calls and everything else, at any given time it involved probably 20 staff members," Goss said. "That's all they did. Either in patients' houses, or following up on phone calls, or going to check on patients, talking to the doctors — that kind of thing."

She said an average total cost of $160,000 per person infected would not surprise her.

"The public health department would not foot all of that bill, but on the whole I can very easily see how it could get that high depending on how severe the complications were, how long hospital stays were, medications, machines used, things like that," Goss said.

At St. Catherine Hospital — where two of those infected were hospitalized — among the expenses incurred were 12 boosters at $20 each and a maximum of $4,700 in wages associated with measles care, said chief executive Victor Hawkins. Officials there were not able to provide a total cost of care.

Goss said the impact of the measles outbreak was more than financial. Women's health services and children's physicals at the health department were cut entirely for two weeks, and many services were scaled back while staff dealt in part with measles.

"We tried to maintain, just at a reduced level," she said.

At St. Catherine, two of 69 workers exposed to measles lacked immunization documentation and were kept out of the hospital for 21 days with pay.

Measles cases at 15-year high

In 2011, six measles cases were confirmed in Kansas, all in Johnson County. Before that, one case was confirmed in 2006.

Nationwide, there were more cases than in any of the last 15 years — 222 in 31 states, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While measles has not been common in the U.S. since the 1970s, cases are still occasionally imported from other countries by travelers who are not vaccinated or have not developed immunity. KDHE officials confirm that is how the cases in Garden City were introduced, but would not disclose further details, citing patient privacy concerns.

State law requires parents to have their children immunized before enrolling them in public or private schools or licensed preschools or day care centers. The law exempts children who are medically fragile, home schooled or belong to a religious denomination that opposes immunization. This year, some Kansans lobbied legislators to expand the exemptions to include a parent’s personal beliefs.

About 90 percent of Kansans have been vaccinated for measles, compared to 91.5 percent nationwide, said Dr. Dennis Cooley, a member of the Kansas Immunization Advisory Committee.

"Most parents today have never seen a case of measles and they don't know measles can be serious and cause even death. I think the result is some don't know just how serious these diseases are," Cooley said.

In Finney County, the population was well-vaccinated, particularly those in schools, said KDHE's Hunt.

"We think that helped suppress additional transmission," he said.

Goss said she hopes the outbreak will change the minds of parents who have chosen not to vaccinate their children.

"I did talk to some parents who do not believe in vaccinating their children and they are very well aware of the measles outbreak that was going on," Goss said.

"If they firmly believe that they should not vaccinate their children, nothing will" change their minds, she said. "I hope that some people who were on the fence (will) now go ahead and vaccinate their kids."

The KHI News Service is an editorially independent program of the Kansas Health Institute and is committed to timely, objective and in-depth coverage of health issues and the policy making environment. Read more about the News Service

Vote: Heads Up for Kids

Lions Clubs New Zealand

Please help us decide by voting on your preferred nomination

Nomination Pictures:

Please browse through these amazing photos and nominations letters for Kiwi Kids and help us to decide on the award recipients by voting with a 'like', and leaving a positive comment for your chosen nominee. Fastway Couriers and Heads Up for Kids are awarding successful nominees with 1 iPad 3, $200 of school supply vouchers and funding to attend an outdoor education programme. Please Note: You must be a Heads Up for Kid Facebook Fan to Vote. Lions Clubs and Heads Up for Kids will select the three award recipients from the top five nomination profiles. This nomination programme was not administered, nor developed by Facebook.