Annual Les Collins Memorial Youth in Government Day scheduled for Nov. 8

This event engages selected leadership students to learn and interact in the roles of governmental officials. Students will spend a portion of the day with their counterparts, attend a K-9 demonstration at the Kings County Sheriff’s Department, as well as attend a luncheon featuring guest speaker, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Doug Verboon.

For 39 years this event has been sponsored and spear-headed by Mr. Les Collins and the Hanford Optimist Club from 1974 until 2014. Collins passed away in June of 2014. Collins recognized the importance of mentoring the youth of Kings County and giving them insight into County Government. His efforts did not stop there. He was known as the hardest-working philanthropist in Hanford, raising money and forming The Community Foundation of Kings County, now known as the Les Collins Community Foundation of Kings County.

The Foundation raises money to help local families hurt by tragedies and disasters. He was a decorated World War II veteran earning both the Combat Infantry Badge and the Combat Medic Badge. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star in Operation Straight Line, a day that saw only two of the 33 medics who went ashore that day in 1944 survive.

When Collins passed away, the Hanford Optimist Club dissolved shortly thereafter. The Hanford Rotary Club has stepped in and has been gracious to sponsor this event from 2015 and again this year.

As a tribute to Mr. Collins for his outstanding service to Kings County, and as a decorated veteran, staff has prepared a Resolution for Youth in County Government Day to be renamed The Les Collins’ Memorial Youth in County Government Day. Mr. Collins’ family has been invited to attend.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Campbell, Assistant County Administrative Officer, at (559) 852-2379.