4-H project will benefit McPherson fire department

By NANCY B. PETERSON

K-State Research and Extension

McPHERSON --- A talking dog may not be for everyone, but it is high on the list for Amanda Rush, a McPherson seventh grader. Rush, who is a member of the Young Pioneers 4-H Club, is coordinating fund- raising efforts to purchase a talking Dalmatian for the McPherson Fire Department.

"The dog --- Patches --- is a robot wired for interactive activities; it can be programmed to deliver fire safety messages and also is wired so that a firefighter stationed elsewhere in the room can listen to questions from the audience and then answer them through the dog. Patches is designed for children, but appeals to adults, too," said Dennis Thrower, McPherson fire chief.

Patches 'N Pumper (a miniature fire truck) have been on the McPherson Fire Department's wish list for a long time. The talkative canine is likely to become a fire-prevention teaching tool in the central Kansas community soon because Rush has chosen it as a 4-H project, he said.

"Amanda is an amazing 12-year-old --- she has incredible energy and organizational skills," Thrower said.

The seventh grader first approached the fire chief to identify interest in an educational project; she followed up with a presentation to the city commission, and has since organized a bake sale that raised nearly $300 (funds that will be matched by the local Wal-Mart) and a "Pennies for Patches" campaign in five area grade schools; and written and submitted a grant proposal to the Johns- Manville Corporation, which committed $5,000 to the project. To date, the energetic seventh grader has raised $6,200 of the $8,500 needed to purchase Patches 'N Pumper.

The young 4-H member also has learned something about finance; with the help of K-State Research and Extension McPherson County 4-H agent, Jana R. McKinney, she opened a bank account for the project and applied for a tax number.

Rush, who is close to seeing the project become a reality, admits the fund-raising effort has been hard work, but well worth it.

"I've met a lot of nice people and learned a lot," she said.

Her mother, Susan, who said her daughter's success as a grant writer has been a real boost, agrees.

For more information about the Patches 'N Pumper (or other educational 4-H projects for students ages seven and up) contact the McPherson County Extension Office, (316) 241-1523.

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