For more information, contact John Simmons, 620-792-9335.

May 19, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Jerke

Rep. Jerry Moran has commended a Barton Community College instructor’s adoption of two Ethiopian orphans and his project to raise funds to help orphanages in Ethiopia. Moran brought the efforts of Barton life sciences instructor Dr. John Simmons to the attention of the House of Representatives in a floor speech on Dec. 10, 2008.

Simmons will appear at Barton’s Board of Trustees meeting May 20 to present the framed document of Moran’s speech to the trustees.

Along with their four children, Simmons and his wife, Lori, adopted two young girls from Ethiopia, Faven and Diborah, sisters now ages 9 and 5, and led the college and community in raising $10,000 for orphanages in Ethiopia in 2008. Most of the money was raised as college students, faculty, staff and community members purchased “Barton-to-Africa” T-shirts printed with the word “Barton” in Ethiopia’s official language on the front and a map of the United States on the back with a star in the center marking Barton County, Kansas.

During a special “Ethiopia Night” at a Barton basketball game in November 2008, the $10,000 check was presented at halftime to Gladney International, an organization that subsequently used this money to provide food and develop biogas systems for orphanages in Ethiopia.

In April of this year, Chelsey Gillogly, Hays, district representative for Moran’s office, presented to Simmons and Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman the framed document of Moran’s speech, which he gave from the floor of the House of Representatives recognizing Simmons’ acts of compassion and the support of the community.

In part, Moran told the House he wanted to share the story about “one family that proves the way we change the world happens one person at a time.”

Moran went on to say, “While adopting two young girls is alone commendable, what sets John and Lori (Simmons) apart is their effort to serve other children at the orphanage and involve the Great Bend community in that mission.”

The congressman described the November basketball halftime presentation, telling how Simmons and Barton Admissions Representative Louie Ochoa had their heads shaved as part of the fund-raising challenge.

“After nearly five months of speaking with civic clubs, church members, neighbors, colleagues and students, John had exceeded his fund-raising goal,” Moran said in his speech.

“I imagine most people would rest on such an accomplishment, but John dreams of more,” Moran continued. “It is his hope that the trip to Ethiopia will be the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between Ethiopians and the citizens of Great Bend who joined him in his effort.

“John envisions providing orphans with educational opportunities at Barton Community College. Doing so would not only offer disadvantaged children a brighter future, but also further facilitate relationships between Kansans and Ethiopians,” he said.

“John’s fund-raising effort raised awareness about the needs of others in a far corner of the world,” he concluded. “It galvanized the community around a common goal and showed that when people work together, there is no limit on what can be accomplished.”

Barton Community College life sciences instructor Dr. John Simmons and his wife, Lori, hold their adopted daughter, Diborah, and their daughter, Emma, as Chelsey Gillogly, left, district representative for Congressman Jerry Moran’s office, presents the framed document of the speech Moran presented in the House of Representatives in recognition of the Simmons family’s efforts to help the orphanages of Ethiopia.