Jana's Day is March 6th

HAYS, Kansas. On March 6, Hays will once again be honoring the life of a former resident, Jana Mackey, with a day of service. From 1-4 p.m. at Chucks Place in Wiest Hall at FHSU, students and staff will help wrap shoe boxes filled with birthday party supplies. The boxes will then be donated to Kansas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), who will provide them to homes that may not have the means to give a child a proper birthday party. Volunteers will also be given the chance to pass out flyers around the city, participate in a letter writing campaign and more.

The day comes after Jana Mackey, daughter of Curt and Christie Brungardt, professors in the Department of Leadership Studies at Fort Hays State University, died in July of 2008, at the hands of an ex-boyfriend. In 2009, former Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius proclaimed International Women's Day, March 8, to be “Jana Mackey Day” in the state of Kansas. Since that day, the community of Hays has honored her name by engaging in a day of service.

Jana was an advocate for women's rights and a law student at the University of Kansas. Jana prided herself on being a voice for women who were silenced by domestic abuse and sexual assault and spent years volunteering at the aid of such victims. Her vision and memory launched the campaign 1100 torches, a call to volunteering for the rights of others.

Jana Mackey Day of Service was designed to engage citizens to volunteer for a good cause. For more information on Jana's story and cause visit the Jana's campaign at http://www.janascampaign.org/. For more information on Jana Mackey Day of Service, call 785-628-4312.

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