GCAP remembers Ronnie Peek with annual scholarships  for public safety employees’ children

To honor the Finney County men and women who provide for its citizens public safety, Garden City Ammonia Program, also known as G.C.A.P., has established the Ronnie Peek Memorial Scholarship Fund that will provide three $1,000 scholarships for the children and stepchildren of the Garden City Police department, Garden City Fire Department, and Finney County EMS.

Ronnie Peek

The scholarship fund was named in memory of 16-year Garden City fire department veteran Ronnie Peek who died during training exercises in January 2015. “We have done safety training with the GCFD for a lot of years and Ron had gone through many of our classes,” said Randy Williams, president of the Garden City Ammonia Program (GCAP). “We know these men and women put their lives on the line for us every day so we made the decision to offer scholarships for their children and stepchildren as a way of recognizing their efforts and saying thanks.”

The scholarships, which have been set up and will be managed by Western Kansas Community Foundation, will offer three $1,000 awards each year—one each for police, fire, and EMS. Only children and stepchildren of those departments’ employees are eligible for award consideration. These students must have graduated or be graduating from a Kansas high school, have attained a 2.5 or better GPA, and must complete a scholarship application form.

“The scholarships will be utilized toward the student’s tuition and/or books,” said Shea Sinclair, Western Kansas Community Foundation executive director. “The post-secondary school must be accredited and may be a four- or two-year college, a vocational-technical program, or other state-recognized certification program. We are so pleased and honored to be part of helping make this scholarship available to the children of those who serve and protect in Finney County.”

Funding to continue the yearly awards will be provided from the proceeds gleaned from the Region 7 Ammonia Safety Day held each May at the Kansas City Community College. Williams, along with his son Jeremy and several other staff members and instructors, present refresher courses and training throughout an entire day to 350-400 participants. Vendors are also on hand to display and demonstrate the latest equipment and technology being used in ammonia and carbon dioxide refrigeration, boiler operations, and process safety management.

“We provide recertification and OSHA training to groups of technicians with varied skill levels and sets,” said Williams. “We understand the importance of education and the challenges that can arise when trying to pay for that education. From Ron’s tragedy came the opportunity for us to offer some help as well as to show our appreciation for these unsung heroes. It’s a start.”

Melissa Gallegos, WKCF program officer, Shea Sinclair, executive director, Lana Peek, Rachel Williams, GCAP office manager, and Jeremy Williams, GCAP managing director.