State gets grant for mentally ill who work

Topeka — The state of Kansas on Thursday was awarded a $5 million federal grant to help working individuals with serious mental illness.

“People who are able to work in spite of potentially debilitating disorders should be given the support they need to remain productive and independent for as long as they are able,” Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said.

Under the grant, Kansas will provide support to people with a number of different conditions who are enrolled in the state’s high-risk insurance pool.

In addition to Kansas, two other states, Minnesota and Louisiana, received grants.

Kansas is eligible to receive up to $13 million over the next five years for the program.

Winter bazaar tonight

New York and Quail Run schools will hold a winter bazaar tonight with food, a silent auction and a special set by the combined band and orchestra from the two schools.

The food includes homemade soup and bread.

The event will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the gym at New York School, 936 N.Y.

Bookstore donates to literacy campaign

A Lawrence bookstore has donated money to help create a “giving library” and office space for a nonprofit literacy campaign.

Hastings Books, Music & Video last month donated $2,671 to the “Why Wait To Read” program. The money will allow the program to lease space for book storage and offices in a room at the United Way, 2518 Ridge Court.

Since it began in 2003, the Why Wait To Read program has gathered more than 5,000 books to be given to nonprofit agencies including the Ballard Community Center and Douglas County Dental Clinic.

The book drive is affiliated with Lawrence-Douglas County Promise, a youth-oriented agency. It’s been organized by Mary Olive Thompson, a Kansas University graduate who’s assigned to the agency through the federal AmeriCorps program.