Johnson County Kansas

Review a list of volunteer opportunities with Johnson County, Kansas Government.

Everyone likes to root for a champion in Johnson County. And when that champion is rooted firmly in the ground, it’s a win-win situation. Johnson County currently has 26 TREEmendous champs. They are among the 168 Champion Trees of Kansas on the 2020 list. The program, dating to the early 1960s, is managed by the Kansas Forest Service at Kansas State University.

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of March 2020 made funds for health and safety available to Johnson County’s Aging and Human Services Department. The CARES funds provided resources for several important safety net programs and services for aging adults in 2020. Here’s a look at some of those programs and the people they have helped.

Three newly elected members of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners along with re-elected Sheriff Calvin Hayden and District Attorney Steve Howe will take the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11.

The district’s New Horizons Band, a 50 Plus opportunity, is a local intergenerational group and a collaborative effort with University of Missouri at Kansas City’s (UMKC) Conservatory of Music and Dance. This group is typically composed of approximately 60 wind instrumentalists and percussionists. For the first time, band members, with an average age of 70, learned to play music together virtually.

A new season of Animal Tales Storytime will begin Jan. 5 at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Ernie Miller Nature Center, 707 North Kansas-7 Highway, Olathe. Physical distancing and COVID-19 safe practices will be encouraged during the programs.

Kansas adults age 65 and older are expected to be higher on the priority list for the vaccines as they are more at risk for serious complications and hospitalizations if infected with COVID-19. The initial vaccine distribution will be geared towards healthcare providers and long-term care residents and staff, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommendations.

Taking a few minutes to focus your mind each day can reduce stress, pain, depression and more. Meditation is a simple, cost-effective solution to a great number of health concerns. An introductory class, led by certified meditation leader Whit Welch, is being offered through Johnson County Park and Recreation District's 50 Plus program at the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Drive.

Since 1971, the 50 Plus program has served older residents of Johnson County and beyond by providing tools, resources and outlets to help them live and age well. The department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District plans to celebrate 50 years of operation in 2021. With the uncertainty of the pandemic, the golden anniversary will mostly take the form of small in-person and virtual events from January through April.

Welcome to the home of printed listings for the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. Our program listings are also always available at JCPRD.com/50Plus. In 2021, 50 Plus is marking its 50th anniversary and invites you to celebrate with us by participating in programs marked with (50!).