Jim and Dawn Hampton were surprised with a We Kan! award September 28 at Currier Drug in downtown Atwood.
The presentation was made by Simone Elder of the Kansas Sampler Foundation with help from Jim and Dawn’s daughter, Sofia White, who helped plan the surprise. Locals from around Atwood gathered for the surprise, which had an extra layer of challenge since the Hamptons and White now live in Hoxie. Jim and Dawn Hampton had owned Currier Drug for 26 years and had purchased it as part of a business transition, and then were able to transition it to its current owner, Derek Chambers.
The short presentation included a colorful round plate with the words “Prescribers of Vibrant Community” engraved on it. The artist was Stacy Barnes of Greensburg. Pictures followed the ceremony.
Elder said, “The Hamptons have invested in this community in a number of ways, whether it was bringing things like drug compounding to rural Kansas, supporting youth entrepreneurship, and finding ways to listen to and welcome their customers. The way Jim and Dawn made people feel included in the community is part of why they were recognized for this award.”
The Kansas Sampler Foundation, an Inman-based non-profit, has been choosing recipients every year since 1993 to show appreciation for dedicated work in helping preserve and sustain rural culture. KSF's We Kan! Network is made up of community leaders, doers, entrepreneurs, volunteers and rural advocates who desire to help rural communities be the best they can be at being themselves.
Jim and Dawn Hampton are the third recipients of eight Kansans who will receive the We Kan! award in 2026.
To see a list of all previous We Kan! award winners go to kansassampler.org.