Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Class Donates Money to Andover Tornado Disaster Relief Fund

The United Way Disaster Relief Fund received a donation today from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center's (KLETC) 293rd basic training class.  

The graduating students from the 293rd basic training class collected the funds as part of their class project. The $415 raised will go to the United Way of The Plains disaster relief fund, which was set up to aid families in need from the April 29th tornados. The funds will provide water, snacks, supplies, and more to those affected by the tornado that struck Andover, Kansas.

The class president for the 293rd, Officer Daniel Harshbarger of the Rose Hill Police Department, said that the tornado affected not only residents of Andover and Butler County, but also Sedgwick county.

“We had talked about a couple of other projects before this disaster took place. Some other class members wanted to get together and volunteer with a clean-up”, said Harshbarger. “With the chaos that follows days after something like this, we decided it would be just as good to set up a fundraiser.”

Michael Turenne, the class coordinator for the 293rd basic training class, knew that the students would do what they could to assist those in need. 

“In law enforcement, we know we are one natural disaster from all working in the same jurisdiction to assist the citizens and fellow officers for the area,” said Turenne. “Since the student officers are still in their training, they found another way to help through donations.”

KLETC Executive Director Darin Beck was proud that the students of the 293rd basic training class stepped up to help those affected by the tornado. 

“This project is an example of the ‘community first’ approach that is stressed throughout the new curriculum at KLETC,” said Director Beck.

If you would like to assist those impacted, United Way has set up a fund for long-term recovery efforts after natural disasters on their website.