With a first-time event in Johnson County, KS, Guns to Gardens Kansas City is drawing attention for both its visuals and the volunteers behind it – many driven by deeply personal reasons for getting involved.

For Dianna Heffernon, a retired schoolteacher and member of Stilwell United Methodist Church, the issue is deeply personal.

"As an educator, and knowing guns are the No. 1 killer for children, and the majority of school shooters got their guns from their homes, I feel like we're making a difference in some small way," she said.

Heffernon also recalls a point in her own life when she wished she had a safe way to dispose of her late husband's hunting rifles after he died. "We had guns in house that nobody knew anything about. I thought I don’t want them in my house, but you can’t put them in the trash or give them to Goodwill. This program would have been a great outlet, and it's so super-cool we repurpose them," she said.

We’re on Facebook!

You can find Guns to Gardens KC there, and it would make a real difference if you took a moment to like, follow, and share the page. Helping spread the word is one of the simplest ways to support this work and keep these community safety efforts growing.

Expanding Through Pop-Up Events

The Stilwell UMC event is the first of what we hope will be many pop-up events across the Kansas City area. We are already working on plans for two additional events later this year that will follow this same model, partnering with host sites and inviting volunteers from across the network to participate. If you are interested in hosting a future event in your community, please let us know!

Ongoing Support Needed!

As this work grows, so do the practical needs that come with it. For the past two years, we’ve been able to rely on volunteers for a lot of tools and supplies, but as we expand, more of that needs to be provided by us. That includes things like safety gear, dismantling tools, replacement materials, and the basic costs of keeping things running like communication, publicity, and the website.

If you’re able to chip in financially, it really does make a difference. It helps us keep this work going and opens the door for more safe disposal events in more places.