Greater Salina Community Foundation

You'd probably want to be known for providing good jobs at decent wages. You'd also want to be known as a business that treats its employees well.

The people at Green Lantern convenience stores and four other local businesses believe so.

On Wednesday, the companies announced a major fundraising effort to help the people and town of Chapman, which was heavily damaged by a June 11 tornado. Besides Green Lantern, the other firms are Great Plains Manufacturing, Solomon Corporation, Salina Vortex and Pepsi Bottling of Salina.

Here's how it works. Boxes are set up at the Green Lantern stores in Salina where people can drop off donations. Donations can be made with cash, credit card or check.

The checks will go to the Greater Salina Community Foundation, which will send donors a receipt for tax purposes. If you want to give by credit card and receive a tax deduction, go online at www.gscf.org and click on "Current events." When you get to "Designation," type in Chapman.

The great part about donating to this cause is that the companies will match the gifts up to $37,500. The fundraising ends Aug. 3.

First, as Bud DeArvil, director of sales and service for Green Lantern notes, giving back to the community is just part of being a good business in the community.

Green Lantern has that reputation and wants to maintain it. Beyond that, DeArvil notes, "The people at Green Lantern really care."

This isn't the first time these companies have been involved in helping the community. Green Lantern has led other community fund drives for those affected by Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami that hit Southeast Asia.

Green Lantern again has the point, because its retail locations provide an easy way to give, 24 hours a day, every day.

"This time it was them (Chapman)," DeArvil said, and the next time it could be us. You never know when your time in need is coming. We're all one family, and let's do it together."

Salina Journal July 11, 2008
The Volunteer Connection office open house is today

An open house so visitors can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the community will be from 1 to 5 p.m. today at The Volunteer Connection, 239 N. Santa Fe.

Visitors also will be able to meet Alysun Curran and Bob Hunter, who have joined The Volunteer Connection staff this year as volunteer coordinator and information specialist, respectively.

On display will be a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander volunteer transportation van, obtained through grants from the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

Also featured will be a display of the original artwork submitted in this year's design competition for the 2008 "Connections of the Heart" Greeting Card Series to benefit The Volunteer Connection.

The Volunteer Connection serves as a clearinghouse for volunteer service in the Salina area, matching volunteers of all ages with needs in a variety of community service entities.

Salina Journal July 10, 2008
Companies come together to raise money for Chapman

Imagine you want to do something to help the folks up in Chapman after the June 11 tornado; maybe all you can afford is $5 or $10, and then there's rounding up a stamp and an envelope -- and what was that address again?

But what if you could drop five bucks in a box at the counter when buying your morning coffee or afternoon pop, or filling up the gas tank?

That's the idea behind an effort Green Lantern convenience stores announced Wednesday, in concert with four other local companies that are pledging to match contributions from the community.

The fund drive, which includes participation from Great Plains Manufacturing, Green Lantern, Solomon Corporation, Salina Vortex and Pepsi Bottling of Salina, will match public donations up to a total of $37,500, said Bud DeArvil, director of sales and service for Green Lantern.

This challenge, DeArvil said, is a way for local people to double the value of their donation; if the public donates $37,500, a total of $75,000 will go to the Chapman School District and the city of Chapman to help with rebuilding efforts.

Donations will be accepted at the three Green Lantern stores in Salina between today and Aug. 3.

DeArvil said the stores will accept donations by cash, credit card or check, and that checks should be made out to the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

DeArvil said the fund has already received $6,000 in donations and that Green Lantern and the other corporate sponsors are hoping other organizations will step up to provide matching funds, as well.

Green Lantern is also planning several events over the next several weeks, along with the Rockin' M family of radio stations, 95.5 FM, 92.7 FM and 101.7 FM. The first event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Green Lantern at Ohio and Iron. Others are set for July 16, 22 and 28 and Aug. 3.

The companies are also launching an Internet site within a few days at www.rebuildchapman.com, for updates on the town's recovery and the fundraising effort.

"It's a very small community having a very difficult time," said Chapman City Attorney Doug Thompson, who added that the combination of the tornado and obstacles to rebuilding in the town's flood plain constitute a "double whammy."

Tom Hemmer, sales manager and co-owner of Solomon Corp., said that given the Solomon-based company's proximity to Chapman, it seemed only right to help with the fundraising effort.

"Chapman is not only a nearby community but a customer of ours over the years," Hemmer said. "When the call came in, this was an obvious decision."

Salina Journal June 20, 2008
Grant applications being accepted

Applications are being accepted until Aug. 26 for grants from the Fund for Greater Salina, administered by the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

The Fund for Greater Salina is an unrestricted community grant fund supported through donations and investment returns. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded nearly $350,000 in grants from the fund. The grants have ranged in size from $250 to $5,000.

Applications, grant guidelines and supporting information can be found on the foundation’s Internet site, www.gscf.org, or applicants may call or write the foundation office for information and applications. The address is P.O. Box 2876, Salina, KS 67402-2876, and the telephone number is 823-1800.

Salina Journal June 12, 2008
Puppetry workshop gives children a chance to be part of river festival

Jordan Lerma was noticeably miffed at the comment that his paper profile puppet had a big nose, until Monica Leo changed the mood.

"Big noses are big in the puppet world," said Leo, of the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre, West Liberty, Iowa.

The 6-year-old Salina boy returned his focus to creating identical profiles out of colorful paper. He joined sister Bianca, 10, brother Thomas, 4, and seven other youngsters Wednesday morning at the free Eulenspiegel Puppetry Workshop at Sunset Elementary School. The faces were glued to pieces of wood, then the wooden handles were draped with colorful fabric.

"I want it to look like a dragon face, with horns on it," said Darrian Copus, 10. She and Bianca will be fifth-graders at Sunset this fall.

After adding freckles and buck teeth, Darrian changed her mind and completed a hobo profile.

The puppet workshop continues at 10 a.m. today, with students making puppets called Twirlies.

The workshops are prefestival activities associated with the 32nd annual Smoky Hill River Festival in Oakdale Park. The Festival Jam opens the four-day festival at 5:30 tonight.

Leo and fellow puppeteers Pam Corcoran, Stevens Point, Wis., and Tammy Jarvis, Salina, were also on a mission Wednesday to recruit kids in the fourth through sixth grades to help them perform a bilingual puppet play, "The Flea," at 1 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday on the Children's Stage at the festival.

"We need at least seven, but we can take up to 20 kids in the show," Leo said in her pitch to the Wednesday morning class.

She later said she was only able to recruit five children to perform at the festival. Corcoran and Jarvis will play the other two roles. The young performers will receive free admission and time to experience the festival with a chaperone, in return for three hours of rehearsal Wednesday and another three hours this afternoon. The practice is necessary to put on a good show, Leo said.

"It's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun," Leo said. "It's a big carrot that they not only perform at the festival but be at the festival."

The puppet workshop and program are financed by a grant from the Greater Salina Community Foundation, said Sharon Benson, festival coordinator.

"They're also learning about developing characters and aesthetic choices," Leo said. "Children working with puppets are learning about working on a team."

She is a veteran of many workshops and festivals during the past 30 years, visiting 25 states and four other countries -- Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and Japan. Corcoran is doing a puppet workshop later this summer in Peru. She's been doing puppet shows for 25 years, working as an artist in residence in Wisconsin public and private schools.

Salina is among Leo's favorite places, because the city is committed to the arts. She has been working the river festival and doing workshops in Salina since the early 1980s.

"I'm so impressed with this town to have an arts and humanities commission as part of the city government," she said. "The festival is amazing for a town this size. It's amazing for any town."

In all of their travels, the women have noticed that children connect with puppets.

"I think they are geared to accept a new reality, even if you have a stark set. Their imaginations will fill in the rest. If there are two trees on stage, they know it's a forest," Corcoran said.

Both women enjoy telling stories with puppets. Leo prefers folk tales and Corcoran likes stories that carry a message. Her favorite: "It's nice to be kind," she said.

"You find the same story told in vastly different ways, even though it's all metaphorical," she said. "To me, it goes to the base of what it means to be human. It shows that we really aren't that different."

Salina Journal June 2, 2008
Scholarships

The Greater Salina Community Foundation has awarded more than $29,000 in scholarships to area students.

Three received the Wally Beets-John Marino Scholarship. They were Beatrice Kilat, daughter of Christine Kilat; Gina Garcia, daughter of Rhonda Garcia and Jorge Garcia; and Jordan Nixon, daughter of Glynis Nixon.

Nicholas Webb, Seth Bell and Zachary McClure, graduates of Tescott High School, received the David A. and Marguerite Parker Scholarship. Webb, who plans to attend Washburn University, is the son of John and Kelli Webb.

Bell, the son of Rhonda Bell, plans to attend Bethany College. McClure, the son of Rob and Jennifer McClure, will attend Baker.

Three scholarships were awarded to Salina Central High School graduates from the Brian Clarke Garnett Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Recipients include Jessica Sheahon, daughter of Jack Sheahon and Anita Huntley; Sarah Shier, daughter of Dennis Giersch and Jane Shier; and Tyler Weiser, son of Michael and Lexie Weiser.

They are Central High graduates Gabriel Lewis, son of Michael and Michelle Lewis, and Whitney Sanchez, daughter of Valerie Sanchez; and Sacred Heart graduate Beatrice Kilat, daughter of Christine Kilat.

Six students were the recipients of the Evelyn R. King National Honor Society Scholarships.

Award winners included Salina South graduates Christopher Lohf and Brittany Haynes; Salina Central graduates Sarah Shier and Bridget Byquist; and Sacred Heart graduates Jessica Francis and Kate Augustine.

The Florence Evelyn Westhoff Scholarship was awarded to Kayla Welch, a graduate of Salina South High School. Welch, the daughter of Rebecca Welch, plans to attend Kansas Wesleyan University.

Washburn student Amy Turner is the recipient of the C.L. Clark Scholarship for students studying for law degrees. Turner graduated from Salina Central High School.

Haley Baxa, graduate of Salina South High School and the daughter of Steven Baxa, and Alyce Fowler, graduate of Salina Central High School and the daughter of Melissa Fowler, are the recipients of the Mary Olson & Viola Olson Gustafson Scholarship for students planning to study nursing at Cloud County Community College.

Salina Journal May 31, 2008
GrantMakers Council announces awards

The Youth GrantMakers Council of the Greater Salina Community Foundation has awarded six grants totaling $5,600.

$1,600 to Sam McCary to teach students about the weather, the atmosphere and the environment by providing real time weather information at Salina South High School.

$1,000 to K-9 Capers to purchase dog agility equipment to enhance the 4-H dog training program.

$1,000 to Southeast of Saline TRUST/SADD to fund an "Alternative Day," to raise awareness of underage drinking, drug use and the importance of wearing seat belts.

$800 to the Sacred Heart High School Junior Civitan Club to fund a senior citizen prom, where youth can directly associate with the elderly to break stereotypes in both groups.

$600 to the Assaria Pride Yardstick Garden to landscape a new addition that teaches children about gardening, harvesting and entrepreneurial skills.

$600 to Laurel Michel to start beautification of the courtyard outside Central High School's cafeteria. The beautification will involve art students, industrial design students and math students.

Salina Journal May 31, 2008
10 Named to Youth GrantMakers Council

Ten area high school students have been named to the Youth GrantMakers Council, a project of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

The new members are Cameron Atwill, Sean Bender, Ryan Claybaugh, Madison Hale, Morgan Hale, Caitlin Hogan, Kendra Lawson, Laurel Michel, Alyssa Peppiatt and Robyn Zey.

Returning members of the council are Chloe Seim, Adria Smith, Sydney Rayl, Adam Weishaar, Ryan Wofford, Morgan Lindsay, Courtney Train, Ethan Young, Ann Nguyen and Bryan Eitel.

The council meets twice a month during the school year and gives presentations throughout the community. The purpose is to make grants to support youth led projects.

Salina Journal May 12, 2008
Charities look to estates

Foundation commissions study that projects dramatic increase in value of transferred estates

A study being released today projects a dramatic increase in the next two decades in the value of the estates being transferred from the baby boom generation to its offspring.

And the charities that commissioned the study are hoping they'll be remembered when that happens.

"Some people will be surprised to see the potential in our community," said etsy Wearing, president and executive director of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

According to the study, which was commissioned by the Kansas Health Foundation on behalf of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations, about $59 million a year is transferred from one generation to the next in Saline County alone. In the next decade that figure is expected to jump to $92 million. By 2060, the estimated transfer will be $232 million a year.

Statewide, the figures are $3.4 billion a year currently, $5.5 billion a year during the next decade and $18.7 billion by 2060.

"Our conservative goal is to secure 5 percent of the total amount transfeerred in the next 12 years by encouraging individuals, families and businesses to give together to community foundation endowments or to local nonprofits," Becky Goss, chairman of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations, said in a press release. "Through this generosity, we have the potential to add $3.3 billion to community foundation endowments, which would help provide grants to support the good work of local nonprofits and ultimately strengthening Kansas communities."

Data on how much residents of each Kansas county give to charity isn't readily available, much less what percentage of those donations are from estates. Some gifts are so large they make the news: Last week, Wichita State University announced that it had received $8.5 million from the estate of Paul and Evelyn Cassat, a couple who lived in Abilene. Paul died in 2002; Evelyn died in September.

But local donations to charities, which are mostly from individuals while they are alive, rather than estates, already far exceed the 5 percent target. The Greater Salina Community Foundation alone for example, received $8.8 million in donations in 2006, which is about 15 percent of the estimated value of estates that transferred that year.

"Salina's a very generous community. Philanthropy is alive and well here," Wearing said. "It's not a stretch for people in Salina to give to things."

She's hoping the study's findings will spur more people to remember charities when estates are inherited.

"Our strategy will be to share this information with people and let them know what the potential is," Wearing said.

The study is modeled after one done at Boston University, said Anne Gallagher, senior research associate at the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State, which produced the study.

It relies primarily on the Survey of Consumer Finance, a project of the Federal Reserve. The survey is done every three years and provides detailed financial profiles of 4,500 families. Gallagher said that the 2004 survey was used to first calculate the net worth of Kansas residents - $545 billion - and then, on the basis of population, estimate the net worth of each county.

Demographic information - age, occupation, family size, income, etc. - was used to adjust the county totals, but didn't move the numbers much: the per capita net worth ranged from $175,600 (Chautauqua County) to $227,000 (Johnson County).

From that starting place, the study aged the state's population through 2060, using U.S. Census data on county birth and death rates, as well as in- and out-migration trends. Wealth was assumed to grow at 2 percent per year.

Don Macke, an economist with the Rural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said that a similar study was done for the state of Nebrska in 2002.

"Until you have that transfer-of-wealth number out there, communities don't realize just how big an opportunity exists," Macke said. "For a community like Salina, we're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars."

Salina Journal May 7, 2008
Foundation forms is Smith County

A way to ensure steady growth in charitable giving for Smith County has begun with the formation of the Smith County Community Foundation.

The county now has the tools to build endowments, increase philanthropy, and provide ongoing support to essential area nonprofits, programs and events , accordig to a press release from the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

The Smith County foundation is an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, which provides administrative support, accounting services, board development and consultation.

A local governing board made up of citizens in area communities, including Athol, Kensington and Smith Center, will be responsible for governance, community education and grant-making decisions.

Salina Journal April 30, 2008
Foundation awards $59,285 in grants

The Greater Salina Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling $59,285 as part of its Greater Salina Grants program, which gives awards twice a year through a competitive application process. The maximum award is $5,000.

Recipients were: Saline County Mounted Patrol and Rescue Squad, $4,500; Salina Education Foundation, $1,460; the Volunteer Connection, $4,000; Salina Emergency Aid-Food Bank, $3,000; Friends of the Smoky Hill Museum, $3,500; Kansas Wesleyan University's Project HERO, $1,500; Rolling Hills Wildlife Museum, $1,000; The Land Institute, $1,500; Pregnancy Service Center, $4,500.

The following awards were made possible through a partnership with the Salina Regional Health Foundation Community Health Investment Program: Smart Start of Saline County, $5,000; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, $3,300; Martin Luther King Jr. Child Development Center, $5,000; Ashby House, $3,050; Central Kansas Mental Health Center, $3,275; Salina Family Healthcare Center, $4,500; New Start Family Life Skills Center, $5,000; Cottonwood Elementary School PTA, $1,750; Salina Arts and Humanities-Smoky Hill River Festival, $1,500; Coronado Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, $1,500; Safe After Prom, $1,000.

Salina Journal April 16, 2008
KWU's Project HERO receives funding from Greater Salina Community Foundation

Linda L. Smith , a staff member at the Greater Salina Community Foundation, presented a $1500 check to Brie Morton and Dane Baxa on Tuesday (April 15, 2008) for Kansas Wesleyan University's Project HERO community service day. Kansas Wesleyan students Morton and Baxa are the coordinators of this year's event, which is set for Saturday (April 19). Approximately 160 Kansas Wesleyan students are scheduled to work at the 15 sites and several individual homes for the third annual community service day.

Salina Journal April 12, 2008
Students work to give shoes

The students holding cards, each bearing a single digit, lined up Friday across the stage in the multipurpose room at Schilling Elementary School as the confetti-throwers behind them readied for the big moment.

"We've been waiting a long time to hear this number," fourth-grade teacher Sara Gault said. "Remember guys, you're going to flip (your cards). Are you ready? One ... two ... three!"

$11,000.51 read the number formed by the cards. Enough to buy and ship 1,050 pairs of children's Airwalk shoes to Iraq, for U.S. soldiers to give to children there who have no shoes of their own.

The room full of students and a sprinkling of adults -- teachers, school staff and some visitors -- applauded loudly.

Moments before, fourth-grade teacher Jean Huser smiled as she looked out across the rows of boys and girls sitting cross-legged and murmuring excitedly.

"This is kind of a hectic day, but the kids think they have tackled the world," Huser said.

Friday was the day Schilling students were rewarded for their dedication to pitching their pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars into a fund created in response to an e-mail from Sgt. 1st Class Brian Motter of Salina.

Motter's daughters, Lizzie and Sarah, attend Schilling school. Motter, who is serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq, mentioned in an e-mail to Lizzie's class that the Schilling children's old shoes would be welcome to give to Iraqi children who were barefoot.

Gault arranged with Payless ShoeSource to get new Airwalks, a Payless shoe brand similar to Crocs, in bright colors appealing to children.

Their initial goal was to raise $7,500 with which to buy as many as 700 pairs. But after the students wrote 300 letters to businesses and other private donors in Salina, they were able to far exceed that goal.

They also got some help from a charity basketball game put on by the teachers that raised $700, plus a grant from the Greater Salina Community Foundation that paid for postage.

"I'll tell you what, the learning of letter-writing has never been better in fourth grade," Huser told the audience. "Those of you who got one of those letters, I'm sure you saw some very nice handwriting. They were very proud of what they were doing."

Letters also came in unsolicited, with donations, after the school's project was publicized in a news article in the Salina Journal. Students at Friday's assembly read some out loud, including fourth-grader Nicholas Taylor.

"I just returned from a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam," Nicholas read from the letter. "I've seen how the people of war-torn countries suffer. I was moved by your project. It is so commendable that teachers and students are helping others that are less fortunate."

Fourth-grader Kaitlyn Sundell read a letter from a former soldier who fought in Vietnam.

"Kids in that country sure could have used great friends like you have at Schilling Elementary, to help them get shoes to wear every day. Thank you for letting me help with your project," Kaitlyn read from the letter.

Miranda Fluke, assistant manager of Salina's Payless shoe store in the Central Mall, accepted a check for $10,000 from the school, at the assembly. The remaining funds are to be used to cover the shipping cost, Gault said.

The shoes have been ordered and are expected to arrive at the store in three weeks, Fluke said. Gault said they still must figure out the best way to ship them to Motter's unit in Iraq.

Motter got to view a portion of Friday's assembly, and the children got to visit with him through an Internet Web camera hookup. Alltel phone company representatives helped overcome some last-minute technical problems that made the link with the school possible, Gault said.

"I'm amazed at everything the school has done. The children should be very proud of what they've done," Motter said.

Lizzie and Sarah were on hand later to accept from Gault a letter from Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., praising them and their classmates for their effort to help Iraqi children.

They and other students at the school who had a parent who was deployed overseas this year each got to accept a hand-crocheted red-white-and-blue afghan from Barbara Billinger, Solomon. She was inspired to make her contribution after reading about the school's project.

Jennifer Motter watched the assembly, and her husband waving from the video screen, from a row of chairs at the rear of the room. Her husband returns home May 23 for two weeks for his midtour of duty leave, she said. The couple talk nearly ever night by Web cam.

"He was so excited," she said. "They don't have a post office where he's at, so he'll have to drive there, get the shoes, and drive back. And they only get to go there every two to four weeks. He doesn't get mail very often."

Salina Journal April 06, 2008
Removing Gangs

The teenage boy sat near the back of the room, his elbow on the desk, head resting in his hand, watching John Burchill write phrases on large sheets of paper taped to the blackboard.

"So, how bad is the gang problem in Salina?" Burchill, a teacher at Kansas Wesleyan University, asked the students gathered Saturday in the former Sacred Heart Grade School.

That pretty much sums up the fears of adults who organized Saturday's day-long retreat for Hispanic teenagers.

The retreat, called, "Ven A Dar Lata," loosely translated as, "Come and Bug Us," was sponsored by the Salina Human Relations Department, Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Catholic Charities, CAPS and the League of United Latin American Citizens. It was financed, in part, by a $2,000 grant from the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

Reyna Banda-Torres, who works at CAPS, said the organizations had been planning the retreat since September.

"Our goal was to get the kids involved in their community and their church," she said. "These kids sometimes fall through the cracks."

The shooting of Torrean Hughley last month at Woodland Park in Salina -- which some say was racially motivated -- made the retreat even more important. Cesar Ramos, 15, and Juan Ramos, 16, have been charged in connection with the shooting.

Speakers at the Saturday retreat talked to the students, ages 11 through 17, about the Hispanic culture, the importance of finding one's identity and what it means to be Hispanic or Latino.

Tina De La Rosa, who grew up in Goodland and now lives in Topeka, stressed to the students that each is unique and should be loved and appreciated as an individual.

She encouraged students to develop their strengths, to participate in activities and to strive to become leaders in their communities. She has been a leader herself, having served for more than seven years as director of the Kansas Advisory Community on Hispanic Affairs under former Gov. Bill Graves. She now works for the Kansas Department of Labor.

Teenagers should be grateful for what they have, De La Rosa said, and not risk their futures by taking drugs or getting involved in gangs.

Burchill helped the teenagers look at ways they could resist gangs and help others do the same.

The students talked about how the support of family members, friends and church officials could help build their self esteem and encourage them to participate in positive activities instead of joining gangs and using drugs.

And they talked about how parents and teachers could help -- by really listening to them when they talk about what's bothering them, and not discounting their fears or minimizing their concerns.

Police should get on the streets more, so they can see what gang members are doing, one boy said. Another boy suggested that government leaders offer drug and alcohol counseling for gang members. Another suggested that, if the government offered monetary support to families in need, children might be less likely to look to gangs for that sort of support.

Burchill said some adults seem to think that if they close their eyes to gangs and act as if they don't exist, the gangs will go away.

Burchill told the students his physician once told him that he had a growth with "pre-cancerous cells." He immediately told his physician to get rid of the growth.

And that's what could happen with gangs in Salina. As the boy noted, Burchill said, things aren't too bad now, but they could develop into something worse if nothing is done.

Salina Journal March 30, 2008
Child's play

A transformation of a children's playroom at Ashby House this weekend is an example of how students are reaching out, said Brad Anderson, an art professor at Kansas Wesleyan University.

Members of the college art club, Kansas National Education Association-Student Program, St. John's Military School and the Salina NEA are remodeling the space in an apartment complex at 153 S. Eighth. It is owned and operated by Ashby House, a homeless shelter for single women and families.

"There really is an interest to do service projects to help somebody. That's a fairly recent transition. It's students saying, 'We want to help the community.' " Anderson said.

He was helping art club members create a jungle and underwater paradise on one set of walls in the playroom.

Student NEA members were giving another area of the room a fresh coat of paint. Others were leading youngsters at Ashby House in activities.

They have collected books and toys for the room. With a $1,000 grant from the KNEA, the students have purchased furniture. St. John's Military School students built a bookshelf. The Blueprint for Leadership group of the Greater Salina Community Foundation has secured money to re-carpet the room.

The students have put in several hours on the project, but it was both enjoyable and worth the work, said Amber Bohl, 20, Phillipsburg. The KWU junior is majoring in secondary physics and math education.

"It's amazing that you can help that many people all at once," Bohl said. "It was a lot of fun getting together with a whole bunch of your friends and classmates and doing something like that."

The painting should be completed today, she said, and the room can be used next week. New carpet will be installed later.

"It's turning out very nice," said Anna Franco, a caseworker at Ashby House. "It's real nice of them to go ahead and donate their time."

Salina Journal March 28, 2008
Applications accepted for youth project grant

The Greater Salina Community Foundation PET Project is accepting grant applications for a program or project to benefit youth in Saline County.

Only one grant of $6,000 to $8,000 will be awarded. Applications must be received no later than April 17.

To be considered, the program or project must benefit children or youth within Saline County and will be completed or near completion by November 2008.

Applicants must be prepared, if requested, to make a presentation to the donor group on April 29.

The PET Project is an annual gathering of young donors who come together with the assistance of the Greater Salina Community Foundation to offer grant. This is the third year for the PET project.

For more information, or for an application, call 823-1800 or go online to www.gscf.org and click on PET Project.

Salina Journal March 19, 2008
Youth Baseball Fund has $2,200 for grants

About $2,200 in grants is available through the Youth Baseball Fund within the Greater Salina Community Foundation for youths who wish to play baseball but lack the financial means.

The fund was established in 2000 by Salinan Larry Britegam, who coached youth baseball for 30 years.

Many annual donors to the fund have helped build an endowment that will generate grants to support baseball every year.

Applications are due April 11 and may be obtained on the Foundation's Web site www.gscf.org or by calling the foundation at 823-1800.

Early gifts to the baseball fund came from memorials from family and friends of former coaches Lowell Letourneau and Larry Caldwell. Additional memorial gifts have been received in memory of Jack Britegam, John Moshier, Harold Frazier and Ben Breault.

The Lindsborg News - Record March 5, 2008
Greater Salina Community Foundation Grants Assist the Assaria Community

The Greater Salina Community Foundation is pleased to announce three grants for projects benefiting the community of Assaria

Two grants, of $450 and $800, were made to the Assaria Cemetery Association. Grant dollars will be used by the association to remove dirt and debris from the east end of the cemetery near the railroad. The second grant will assist with the purchase of new rock for the drive around the cemetery. Both grants are expected to make the cemetery more accessible and enhance the location for community members who visit the site and who use the cemetery as a walking path.

A third grant from the Assaria Community Fund will support the Assaria Summer youth program. The program serves youth in grades K-8 with summer activities, lessons and field trips. The $250 grant will help offset the cost of transportation.

These are the first grants made from this fund. Grants will be awarded annually. The grant reveiw committee consisted of individuals familiar with Assaria.

The Assaria Community Fund is an endowed fund created to support charitable projects in the community of Assaria.

Salina Journal March 5, 2008
Grants awarded for Assaria projects

The Greater Salina Community Foundation has awarded three grants for projects benefiting the city of Assaria.

The Assaria Cemetery Association was awarded grants of $450 and $800. One grant will be used to remove dirt and debris from the east end of the cemetery, near the railroad. The second grant will go toward purchase of new rock for the drive around the cemetery. Both grants are intended to make the cemetery more accessible and enhance the location for community members who visit the site.

A $250 grant from the Assaria Community Fund will help offset the cost of transportation for the Assaria Summer Youth Program. The program provides children in kindergarten through eighth grade with summer activities, lessons and field trips.

Salina Journal March 2, 2008
Youth GrantMakers Council has openings

Applications are due by May 1 for membership to Youth GrantMakers Council, a Greater Salina Community Foundation program for high school students that distributes grant funds to youth-led projects in Saline County.

The group of high school students meets every other Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. There is an all-day orientation retreat that all members are required to attend at the beginning of the school year. During the year, there might be opportunities to participate in occasional training sessions, conferences and volunteer projects.

For more information or to get an application, call Caitlin Cox at 823-1800 or e-mail her at caitlincox@gscf.org. Information also is available at the group's web site, www.ygmc.org.

Salina Journal February 22, 2008
YWCA, YMCA programs always helped others

When Sydney Soderberg moved to Salina many years ago with her husband and two young children, she knew no one.

She soon found fellowship, though, in the Newcomers' Club, offered by the Salina YWCA.

"That was very valuable for me," Soderberg said. "It was just an enveloping feeling for me to be a part of a group of women who were going through many of the same things that I was going through at the time."

Soderberg's involvement with the YWCA -- and with the community -- grew from there.

"I really appreciated the empowerment aspects of the YWCA's programs," she said.

Although the YWCA disbanded in 2006 after more than 80 years in Salina, the organization continues to fulfill its missions of empowering women and eliminating racism -- through the YWCA Legacy Fund, a fund of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

And the YW's brother organization, the YMCA of Salina, remains strong, offering recreational and other programs designed to strengthen families.

The YMCA actually is the older of the two organizations, having gotten its start in 1886 in offices above Willis Jewelry Store on Santa Fe Avenue.

A building was constructed in 1910 at the southeast corner of Ninth and Iron streets. In addition to offering basketball, swimming and racquetball and handball courts, the building had rooms for rent.

"They offered a cheap place for people who were traveling to stay," said Bill Meysenburg, associate executive director of the Salina Family YMCA.

The YMCA moved to its current building in 1978. The columns that stand at the south end of the parking lot once stood in the front of the building at Ninth and Iron streets, Meysenburg said.

Since the building was constructed, there have been four major building projects. The latest effort, completed in 2003, included the addition of an aerobics room and a small coffee room.

In its early years, Meysenburg said, the YMCA focused on instilling Christian values in men. In more recent years, he said, the focus has shifted, somewhat, to a more family-oriented approach.

"For the last 10 to 15 years, our focus has been on strong kids, strong families and strong communities," Meysenburg said.

The YMCA continues to offer recreational programs, including swimming and gymnastics lessons and leagues for youth basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, flag football and other sports. The YMCA also operates Camp Swat, a day camp for children ages 5 through 12, and after-school programs at eight Salina schools.

As part of its mission to "Activate America," Meysenburg said, the YMCA also has been offering nutritional programs.

In the coming years, the YMCA hopes to offer more programs to teenagers. A couple of staff members visited recently with the teen coordinator at the Wichita YMCA to generate ideas.

"The biggest thing we found is you have to do what they want to do, not what adults think they want," Meysenburg said.

The mission of the YWCA, which was founded in Salina in 1919, remained fairly consistent, Soderberg said.

"The basic thrust was always to be an organization that encouraged women's growth and leadership and power," she said.

But the way that mission was met evolved as the role of women in society changed.

"Things that met the needs of women at one point didn't meet those needs at another point," she said.

In the 1930s, the YWCA offered its members free classes in shorthand, typing, serving, cooking and sewing. Food and used clothing were collected, and the organization offered help to women in finding jobs.

During the war years, the YWCA took on the responsibility of entertaining the troops.

Soderberg said the YWCA later began offering child care and preschool programs. A Child Care Development Center and Child Care Resource and Referral service were started to help women entering the work force, and services also were offered to widowed persons.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina and Meals on Wheels both were housed at the YWCA in their early years, Soderberg said.

The YWCA also took on the responsibility of educating teenagers about sexuality.

"There were all sorts of health initiatives, like breast care awareness," Soderberg said. "There were fitness aspects, too, with the swimming pool, the aerobics classes, volleyball."

In recent years, a fitness center was established, with cardiovascular and weight machines.

The YWCA annually held the See and Sell craft show fundraiser, and it established a Women of Achievement program, to honor women in leadership roles.

But Soderberg said upkeep of the YWCA building and other financial obligations eventually became too much, and other issues surfaced.

"I think that there was a certain feeling that many of the programs the 'Y' had begun were being carried out by other organizations, and other organizations were doing them very well," she said.

The YWCA was disbanded, and the building was sold and renovated. It now houses the Salina Family Healthcare Center.

The Central Kansas Girl Scouts took over two of the YWCA's bigger programs -- the See and Sell craft show and the Women of Achievement program.

But Soderberg said proceeds from the building sale and other YWCA assets, including an endowment, are being used to further the YWCA's missions of empowering women and eliminating racism.

Eventually, Soderberg said, close to $30,000 a year in grants will be made from the fund.

Already, money from the fund has been used to buy fitness course equipment for the Cottonwood Elementary School playground, and backpacks and school supplies for the Back to School Fair, to help provide rent assistance to women and children leaving the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas shelter, and to establish a Juneteenth Celebration.

"Those things all fall right into the mission of the YWCA," Soderberg said. "Having this fund helped us to ensure the YW legacy would continue."

Salina Journal February 13, 2008
Deadline set for youth nominations

The Youth GrantMakers Council of the Greater Salina Community Foundation is accepting nominations for the Youth Citizenship Award until April 1.

The award and a $100 prize will be given to a person 18 or younger in Saline County who has made significant voluntary contributions to the welfare or betterment of the community.

Any student or adult may nominate a candidate. Nominees may be asked to meet with the Youth GrantMakers Council. The award is funded by the foundation and other community partners.

The Youth Citizenship Award winner will be announced at the foundation's annual luncheon May 13 at the Salina Country Club.

Nomination forms are available online at www.ygmc.org. For more information, call youth coordinator Caitlin Cox at 823-1800.

The Hays Daily News February 8, 2008
Diocese creates community foundation

The Catholic Diocese of Salina has created the Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Salina. The foundation will operate as an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

The Catholic Community Foundation will serve the 31 counties of the diocese by providing a permanent, steady and secure source of philanthropy for diocesan ministries, organizations, institutions, parishes, schools and Catholic charities.

Bishop Paul Coakley said the foundation will "ensure that those Catholic ministries and institutions that mean the most to people will enjoy a steady stream of income now and far into the future."

The foundation will be a vehicle for permanent charitable giving through current donations as well as bequests that will benefit the entire diocese. Community foundations offer a variety of giving options for donors, including advised funds, organization endowments, designated funds and scholarships.

As an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, the Catholic Community Foundation will receive administrative support, accounting services, board development and consultation. The foundation can almost immediately offer the services of an established larger regional community foundation without the added expenses and administration of standing alone.

Betsy Wearing, president and executive director of the Greater Salina community Foundation, welcomes the new affiliation.

"We are excited to work with the diocese to provide the framework and support for this new foundation. The Greater Salina Community Foundation's affiliate program has now helped to establish seven area community foundations that will preserve wealth and provide permanent support for charitable work in rural Kansas."

Those serving on the Catholic Community Foundation board include Coakley, Father Randall Weber, Steven W. Brown, Salina, Father Larry Letourneau, Father Kerry Ninemire, Becky Augustine, Salina, Father Jerome Morgan, Jum Brull, Hays, Father Daryl Olmstead, Cindy Donohoue, Manhattan , and Joe Hess, Hays.

Salina Journal February 5, 2008
Diocese, Community Foundation announce affiliation

Three years from now, there could be as much as $10 million in a new foundation announced Monday to help the Salina Catholic Diocese pool its donor dollars and realize a better investment return.

"I think that's a reachable goal," said Shawn Crawford, director of development and stewardship for the diocese.

Officials with the diocese and the Greater Salina Community Foundation on Monday announced the creation of the Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Salina.

The diocese foundation will operate as an affiliate of the community foundation. Crawford says the affiliation also means more dollars staying with the diocese by decreasing operating and accounting costs the diocese would incur on its own.

The community foundation will provide administrative support and accounting for the diocese foundation.

That foundation's mission is to create sustainable revenue for such items as church repairs and maintenance throughout parishes in the 31 counties of the diocese, as well as other charitable and religious purposes -- funding the education of young men studying to become priests, for instance, said Bishop Paul Coakley, head of the Salina diocese.

"Whatever the donor's particular interest and desire is, in terms of something they really want to support. It's feasible they could find an avenue through the community foundation to accomplish that goal," he said.

Coakley will serve as the chairman of the foundation's governing board. Crawford will serve as the foundation's executive director.

The diocese foundation comprises a collection of endowed funds. The income from those funds also will be channeled into special grants to benefit purposes and projects of the donors' wishes.

"We have some assets from the diocese we'll be moving into that foundation. And we've already had some parish response," Crawford said.

The community foundation already has six affiliate foundations supporting regions of central and northwest Kansas, ranging from Republic, to Russell and Ellis counties. Altogether, the community foundation holds $46 million in assets, and last year the foundation made $8 million in grants that helped benefit a variety of entities, including those affiliate communities, said Betsy Wearing, president and executive director of the community foundation.

The affiliation with the diocese marks the first time the community foundation has taken on a religious organization as an affiliate, Wearing said.

"We have not been approached by other (denominations) but certainly we'd be open to that," she said.

Particularly in rural parishes, having a steady source of income to rely upon is important, Crawford said.

"It's just a really powerful thing. And, I think it also then gets other people to invest in those organizations, because they see the viability and the strength of what's there," he said.

Salina Journal January 21, 2008
Youth GrantMakers award grants

Six projects have been awarded grants by the Youth GrantMakers Council of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

A total of 17 grant applications were received from area youth age 18 and under. The Youth GrantMakers Council, made up of youth from the county’s five high schools, evaluates and awards the grants. Grants awarded were:

$1,500 to Javon Shackelford to renovate the YMCA Teen Center and begin the framework for the National YMCA Teen Action Agenda.

$1,300 to the South High School Lab Chicks for a “Girls in the Lab Day,” to spark an interest in science among young girls.

$1,300 to the Ell-Saline Future Farmers of America to buy a projector screen that will aid in educational presentations and also can be used for recreation.

$1,000 to Lora McGraw to keep down the cost of attending the “Living Pants Up in a Pants Down World” retreat. The retreat is designed to encourage Saline County youth to make healthy lifestyle choices.

$500 to Brian Smith, who plans to build a picnic shelter at Ray Avenue Baptist Church for his Boy Scout Eagle project.

The Natoma-Luray Independent January 16, 2008
Salina foundation announces available scholarships

The Greater Salina Community Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of scholarship dollars for area high school seniors and college students. Scholarships are available through 21 different funds at the foundation.

Among them are: The Gayle and Evelyn Richmond Scholarship for students of Plainville, Stockton, Natoma or Palco high schools, with plans to attend an accredited post-secondary institution.

Applications are available from counselors at area high schools, or on our website at www.gscf.org. For more information, call Michelle Griffin, Affiliate/Scholarship Coordinator of the Foundation at 785-823-1800.

Salina Journal January 14, 2008
Foundation announces numerous scholarships

The Greater Salina Community Foundation has scholarships available through 21 different funds for area high school seniors and college students. Scholarship applications are available from counselors at area high schools or on the foundation Web site at www.gscf.org.

For more information, call Michelle Griffin, affiliate/scholarship coordinator at the foundation at 823-1800.

The Wally Beets-John Marino Scholarship. For employees who are or have been employed by the Salina Country Club attending accredited postsecondary institutions.

The Betts Family Scholarship. For students of Decatur Community High School attending accredited postsecondary institutions.

Booker T. Washington Scholarship. For African American students from the Salina area attending accredited postsecondary institutions.

C.L. Clark Scholarship. For students currently enrolled at the University of Kansas School of Law or Washburn University School of Law and who graduated from a high school in Saline County.

Decatur Community Scholarship. For students graduating from USD 294 and attending accredited postsecondary institutions.

The Erik Erickson Memorial Scholarship. For students graduating from Decatur Community High School attending accredited postsecondary institutions.

The First Bank of Kansas Scholarship. For students who are currently enrolled in good standing at Kansas Wesleyan University with preference to students working toward a degree in business.

The Jody Fredrickson Nursing & Health Scholarship. For students graduating from Decatur Community High School attending accredited postsecondary institutions to major in nursing or another health related field.

The Brian C. Garnett Scholarship. Three $1,000 scholarships for graduates of Salina Central High School.

Mary Olson and Viola Olson Gustafson Scholarship. For students currently attending or planning to attend Cloud County Community College working toward a degree in nursing or another medical field.v

Hale Family Sunflower Promise Scholarship. For Kansas community colleges students who have completed two years of coursework and will be completing their degrees at a four-year, postsecondary institution in Kansas.

Kelling-Tomlinson Scholarship. For students from Smith Center High School attending accredited postsecondary institutions.

Evelyn R. King National Honor Society Scholarship. This is a scholarship that is selected by committees at Sacred Heart High School, Salina Central High School and Salina South High School. They look at all senior members of the National Honor Society and select two students from their respective schools to receive this scholarship.

Kansas Federation of Republican Women Scholarship. For female students currently attending a Kansas college or university, with a declared major of political dcience, history, or public administration, entering their junior or senior year of undergraduate study, or attending graduate school.

Glenn L. & Edna M. Mott Memorial Scholarship. For students graduating from Decatur Community High School attending accredited postsecondary institutions.

Alma Olson and Michael T. Olson Scholarship. For students currently attending or planning to attend North Central Kansas Technical College working toward a degree in the building trades.

David and Marguerite Parker Scholarship. For students of Tescott High School who are academically solid and have community involvement, but most likely will not be recognized as salutatorian or valedictorian of their graduating class; for postsecondary, accredited education.

Gayle & Evelyn Richmond Scholarship. For students of Plainville, Stockton, Natoma, or Palco High Schools with plans to attend an accredited postsecondary institution.

Florence Evelyn Westhoff Scholarship. For students who are connected with, but not necessarily members of, the University United Methodist Church, Salina, or students attending Kansas Wesleyan University.

Salina Journal January 2, 2008
Eight students named grantmakers

Eight area high school students have been named to the Youth GrantMakers Council, a project of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

They are Bryan Eitel, Kaylee Ferguson, Jason Kum, Morgan Lindsay, Ann Nguyen, Sydney Rayl, Courtney Train and Ethan Young. They join returning members Kate Augustine, Paige Britegam, Christina Bowden, Veronica Hill, John Kum, Chloe Seim, Adria Smith, Adam Weishaar and Ryan Wofford.

The members, who represent all five of Saline County's public schools, will meet twice a month during the school year and give presentations throughout the community. Their primary purpose will be to make grants to support youth-led projects in the community.

Salina Journal December 21, 2007
Grant applications being accepted

The Greater Salina Community Foundation is accepting grant applications through Feb. 15 for the Fund for Greater Salina.

The Fund for Greater Salina is an unrestricted community grant fund supported through donations and investment returns. About $45,000 in grant dollars will be available to nonprofit organizations, individuals and groups with projects that will benefit people in Saline County.

Since its inception, the foundation has awarded nearly $290,000 in grants from the fund. Grants have ranged in size from $250 to $5,000.

Grant applications, guidelines and supporting information can be found on the foundation's Internet site, www.gscf.org, or write or call the foundation office at Box 2876, Salina 67402-2876, 823-1800. Only applications on the foundation's form will be accepted.

Salina Journal November 27, 2007
Students plan to recycle

GYPSUM -- Students in Southeast of Saline's Leadership 101 class are intending to start a schoolwide recycling program, and they came to the school board Monday night to tell about it.

A group of about 10 of the students told the board they had surveyed students and staff and found overwhelming support for recycling and a community clean-up, but that transporting the collected materials would be more of a problem. In investigating options, they had looked at local recycling centers and settled on Images in Salina.

Some of the students also visited Salina South High School, which has had a recycling program for the past several years. South students collected eight tons of paper last year.

The group plans to apply for a grant from the Youth Grant Makers Council, an arm of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, to buy recycling bins.

Board members backed the plan, with Jerry Seim, who described himself as an "avid recycler," cautioning the students that the water needed to clean materials is a precious resource in itself, and that the students might want to look into reducing the amount of bottled water used at the school in favor of tap water.

Board president Joe Ryan suggested they "start small" with paper, which is easy to gather and store, and see how well the school participates before expanding.

The board also set a special meeting on Jan. 14 to meet with Bob Dolan of Salina, owner of BMK Plumbing and Solar of the Midwest, to discuss the future of the school's solar heating system.

Dolan has worked on the system before; it was finally shuttered several years ago because of leaks and other problems, and board members have periodically discussed making it operational again. Last month, the district received a bid of $145,000 to refurbish the system from a Kansas City-based company, but that was considered too high for serious consideration.

Dolan recently has inspected the system and will have a report for the board at that January meeting.

Salina Journal November 23, 2007
$7,000 available for Salina youth projects

The Greater Salina Community Foundation Youth GrantMakers Council has approximately $7,000 to give away for youth projects this year and next. Grant proposals are due Dec. 1.

The council will award money to youth-led projects that address community issues and challenges.

For information, call Youth Coordinator Caitlin Cox at 823-1800, or visit www.ygmc.org.

Salina Journal November 15, 2007
Catalog might help you with charitable giving

People who want to donate to a nonprofit organization this Christmas season can find lots of ideas in the Make A Wish Come True Catalog, produced by the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

The catalog contains information about 29 nonprofit organizations as well as a wish list of items needed by those organizations.

Catalogs are available at the foundation office, 113 N. Seventh, Suite 201; the Salina Public Library; Capers Cafe Bakery, 109 N. Santa Fe; Salina Media Group, 131 N. Santa Fe; and the Salina Journal, 333 S. Fourth. Catalogs also may be obtained by calling the foundation at 823-1800.

Salina Journal November 10, 2007
Community Foundation announces $4.9 million gift

The Greater Salina Community Foundation has received a $4.9 million gift from the estate of the late L.P. "Pat" Mullen to benefit area ministries and school programs.

During a press conference Friday, foundation executive director Betsy Wearing announced a grant of $2,438,622 would be given to the Sister Francis Ellen Endowment Fund to benefit Sacred Heart Jr.-Sr. High School in Salina.

In addition, a grant of $1,219,311 would be presented to the Sisters of St. Joseph Nazareth Academy in Concordia.

"These are the two largest single grants we've made since (the foundation's) inception in 1999," Wearing said.

Mullen, a Salina businessman, engineer, inventor and philanthropist, died in December 2006 at the age of 69. He was a Salina native and the founder and owner of Scientific Engineering in Salina.

Mullen was a student at Sacred Heart when Sister Ellen taught at the school in the early 1950s. Several years ago, Mullen had established an endowed gift in her name at the foundation. With the addition of the estate gift, the fund will generate about $130,000 in annual income for the school, Wearing said.

The grant was accepted by Father Kerry Ninemire, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and John Krajicek, principal of Sacred Heart Jr.-Sr. High School.

The extra funds likely will be used for the school's operating budget, Ninemire said after the press conference.

"It allows us to continue to give assistance to families who cannot afford the full tuition," he said. "It will help us keep a Catholic education affordable for all our families."

"It was a tremendous gift," Krajicek said after the news conference. "We're extremely grateful to the Mullen family for their incredible generosity."

The gift to the Sisters of St. Joseph comes with no restrictions. The sisters travel on missions of mercy, social justice and human rights throughout the U.S.

"This gift will help us continue our ministries, to help educate some of our newer members, and assist with ongoing health issues," said Sister Pat McClennan of the Sisters of St. Joseph said at the news conference.

An immediate gift of $24,448 will go to the Greater Salina Community Foundation for administrative support and will establish the Mullen family as sustainers -- a special group of foundation donors that receive permanent recognition, Wearing said.

The foundation also will make an annual $10,000 grant through the Mullen Fund to KPTS Public Television in Wichita to help underwrite scientific programming on the station.

The remainder of the gift will establish the L.P. "Pat" Mullen Fund at the Salina foundation. The fund will generate about $25,000 in annual grants to support youth education in arts and humanities, and another $25,000 for youth education in science, technology and invention.

"For someone who didn't have a college education himself, (Mullen) greatly valued education," Wearing said.

Salina Journal October 26, 2007
Greater Salina Community Foundation Grant awards

Eighteen Salina-area organizations have been awarded grants totaling $45,325 through the Greater Salina Community Foundation. The foundation received 35 applications for the grants, which are capped at $5,000. Recipients are:

$1,750 to the American Red Cross North Central Kansas Chapter to establish a communications room and purchase equipment.

$2,000 to hire a consultant to review operations of the Saline County Commission on Aging's Sunflower Adult Day Services.

$500 to the Salina Public Library to provide fee reductions for enrollees of courses offered through the Community Learning and Skill Sharing program.

$5,000 to the Salina Emergency Aid-Food Bank to provide funding for a bookkeeper.

$2,000 to the Sisters of St. Joseph to create a revolving micro-loan fund for medical and other urgent needs.

$2,500 to Catholic Charities of Salina to provide services for immigrants in north-central Kansas.

$1,075 to help the Salina Community Theatre purchase battery equipment for body microphones used by performers.

In addition, these grants were made through a partnership with the Salina Regional Health Foundation Community Health Investment Program:

$4,000 to Child Abuse Prevention Services to support Happy Bear personal safety presentations to children.

$5,000 to the Salina-Saline County Health Department to fund a new program to screen infant toddlers for complications of gastro-esophageal reflux.

$3,500 to the Salina Association for the Education of Young Children to fund a workshop for child care providers on using music to build character in children.

$1,600 to fund a Kansas Kids Fitness Day for third graders in the Salina School District.

$2,000 to provide elementary school Band Camp scholarships in the Salina School District.

$1,200 to help the Mu Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma purchase a six-seat buggy for the Martin Luther King Child Development Center.

$2,500 to help the Coronado Area Boy Scouts chapter implement a ScoutParent program.

Salina Journal October 10, 2007
Salina foundation adds 2 affiliates

The Greater Salina Community Foundation has assisted two area communities in forming new affiliate foundations.

The Heartland Community Foundation will serve the west-central Kansas area, including Ellis, Trego, Rooks and other counties. The Republic County Community Foundation will serve Republic County. Each affiliate is governed by a local board responsible for managing its activities, educating the community and grant-making decisions. The new foundations join four affiliate foundations working with the Salina foundation. Those are Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation, serving Ellsworth County; the Russell County Area Community Foundation; the Community Foundation for Cloud County; and the Smoky Valley Community Foundation, serving the Lindsborg area. For information on forming a community foundation, call Betsy Wearing, president and executive director of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, at 823-1800.

Salina Journal September 24, 2007
Eight students named grantmakers

Eight area high school students have been named to the Youth GrantMakers Council, a project of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

Salina Journal August 8, 2007
Youth Grantmakers Council seeks innovative members

The Youth GrantMakers Council of Greater Salina Community Foundation is seeking new members. High school students who are innovative thinkers and want to make a difference in the community are encouraged to apply.

The Youth GrantMakers Council creates and supports opportunities for Saline County youth to be active leaders in their communities by providing grants to youth-directed projects that address community issues.

The council exposes high school students to nonprofit organizations, teaches them about the grant process and empowers them to take action and lead change.

Those interested in joining can call youth coordinator Caitlin Cox at 823-1800 or visit the council Web site at www.ygmc.org.

Salina Journal July 26, 2007
Foundation taking grant applications

The Greater Salina Community Foundation is accepting applications for grants from its unrestricted community grant fund, which is open to nonprofit organizations, individuals or groups with a charitable project that will benefit the residents of Saline County.

Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $220,000 in grants from the fund, and grants have ranged in size from $250 to $5,000.

Applications are available at www.gscf.org or by writing to the foundation at Box 2876, Salina, KS 67402-1800. Only applications on the foundation's form will be accepted, and applications must be received by Sept. 12. Awards will be announced in October.

Salina Journal July 7, 2007
Foundation has new Web site

LINDSBORG

The Smoky Valley Community Foundation has developed a new Web site at www.smokyvalleycf.org.

The Web site contains information about the foundation's mission, board of directors, types of funds provided, information for donors and advisers and how to apply for grants.

Grant applications will be available online during the foundation's annual grant cycle.

The foundation serves Lindsborg and surrounding areas and is an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

Salina Journal May 17, 2007
Awards lunch recognizes two outstanding citizens

Pauline Eaton, the recipient of the 2007 Salina Award for Outstanding Citizenship, is, as described in her introduction Wednesday by Betsy Wearing, "a woman of many careers" -- her service representing remarkable spirit and energy.

"There are many people in this community who do as much as I do. It's a community effort," Eaton, said, smiling, after receiving the award at the Salina Country Club during the Greater Salina Community Foundation's annual awards event.

Eaton was one of four nominees for the award. About 180 people attended the event.

"The satisfaction I get from people's appreciation for using my talents for something they need," replied Eaton, when she was asked what keeps her active in the community.

Eaton first served her family as a homemaker and mother for 30 years, said Wearing, foundation president and executive director. When her children grew up, she enrolled at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, adding majors in business and accounting to her previous degrees in math and religion. Eaton served the former YWCA of Salina as a volunteer business manager and bookkeeper for more than 20 years. She served on the YWCA board of directors and assisted during the closing of the organization, taking care of record keeping.

For nearly 25 years, Eaton also has helped manage and train volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program through the Salina Senior Center.

Eaton will receive a $1,000 gift for the honor. She was nominated for the award by Nancy Klostermeyer, director of The Volunteer Connection of Salina.

"In just over two years she's worked with Nancy, they've logged more than 1,800 hours of volunteer service," Wearing said.

This year's awards celebration also marked the first for the award for outstanding teen citizenship. The award was presented by the Youth GrantMaker's Council, an organization made up of Saline County high school students.

This year's recipient was Gretchen Holthaus. Holthaus, 18, graduated this month from Salina South High School. She is the daughter of Max Holthaus and Amy Rundquist of Salina. She received a $100 gift for the honor.

The award honors community youth for the work they've contributed in Salina. The four nominees for the award were nominated by fellow students.

Holthaus participated in the Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Program in 2005 and 2006. She was the South Student Council community service chairwoman from 2004 through 2006. She was also the National Honor Society community service chairwoman in 2006 and 2007, and the senior class secretary.

Holthaus organized a Red Cross blood drive at South High from 2004 through 2007 and was on the committee for the Youth Relay for Life from 2003 through 2007. She originated the Box City Project, a fundraising event for Salina homeless shelters.

Participants in that project raised cash donations and collected canned food items and spent the night on the South campus sleeping in boxes. The project completed its third year last October. About 40 students have participated each year.

"When I was a sophomore, I became community involvement chair for our student council. We wanted to do a project for Make a Difference Day. I came up with that idea and ran with it," said Holthaus, who plans on attending Wichita State University in the fall to study psychology.

Before the announcement of the awards for community service, Wearing reviewed the foundation's growth since it was founded in 1999.

Organizers originally had set a goal of having $10 million in assets in 10 years. However, in eight years, the foundation has $43 million in assets. This year, the foundation has made $2 million in grants to the community through support for nonprofit organizations and charitable causes.

Salina Journal May 1, 2007
Project Linus

4-H members of Central Kansas District No. 3 are participating in Project Linus for the fourth year.

The 4-H members have been meeting this winter and sewing quilts for Project Linus. CAPS is the recipient of the quilts in this area. The blankets are distributed to children in its Children's Services Program. A total of 35 quilts were presented to Marj Mintun of CAPS. Those participating in Project Linus this year included Carly and Bonnie Anderson, Kendra and Linda Baumberger, Joseph and Mary Bernhardt, Jessica Farenthold, Wesley Landauer, Linda Lecklider, Bekah, Jessica and Rachel Prickett, Jena Sauber, Morgan Schiebler, Courtney Schulz, Jennifer Shumaker, Katie Thelander and Yuki Urano. Project Linus in Salina has been organized by Mary Bernhardt and Linda Lecklider all four years. The Greater Salina Community Foundation's Seize the Moment Grant provided the funding for all of the batting used in the quilts.

Salina Journal December 8, 2006
Leadership course applications sought

Applications are being accepted for the Greater Salina Community Foundation's Blueprint for Leadership course. Application forms are available on the foundation's Web site, www.gscf.org. Deadline for enrollment is Feb. 1. The curriculum for Blueprint for Leadership was developed through a multi-year process in conjunction with the Kansas Health Foundation. The class is offered in five, half-day sessions from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 and March 7. Tuition for the class is $200 and includes all materials, breakfast and snacks. College credit is available for those who are interested. Scholarships also are available for those representing nonprofit organizations. For more information, call 823-1800.

Salina Journal November 27, 2006
Catalog filled with nonprofits' holiday wishes

If you're having fits deciding how to give during this holiday season, the Greater Salina Community Foundation has a couple of ideas.

The foundation is distributing its second annual Make a Wish Come True catalog with 35 nonprofit organizations and a wish list. All nonprofit organizations with funds in the foundation were invited to participate, said foundation president and executive director Betsy Wearing.

The catalogs are available at the foundation office, 157 S. Seventh; Salina Public Library, 301 W. Elm; Salina Journal, 333 S. Fourth; Capers Cafe & Bakery, 109 N. Santa Fe and Salina Media Group, 131 N. Santa Fe.

Listed items cover a wide price range -- from soap and office supplies to televisions and computers.

The foundation launched the Make a Wish Come True program in 2005.

"Several organizations received office supplies. One got a microwave. One got a washing machine, just a number of things," Wearing said.

Those interested in giving this way can go directly to the organization.

"We're just trying to be the vehicle to get the information out there, to promote giving," Wearing said.

The Holiday Card

The foundation's Holiday Card program allows donors to make a contribution to any foundation fund in the name of a friend, family member or colleague.

"We send a very nice card out that says a gift has been made in their name and what organization it will benefit," Wearing said.

Fulfilling wishes

For more information on the Greater Salina Community Foundation's Make a Wish Come True Catalog, call 823-1800 or visit the foundation's Web site at www.gscf.org. Click on "Publications," on the left side, and then on "2006 Wish List Catalog." To read more about the Holiday Card program, go to the Web site and click "Holiday Card gift ideas" near the top of the page.

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Salina Journal November 19, 2006
playing SANTA

Many Salina employers reward workers with holiday parties

One year, the dentists at New Horizons Dental Care gave their 13 employees a Christmas treat of pedicures at Hair Loft, massages and hors d'oeuvres.

Another year, the dentists treated the employees to dinner at Martinelli's Little Italy and a performance at the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts.

As Christmas approaches this year, the employees can only guess what their bosses will plan -- but they know it will be something memorable.

"We usually have a really good time," said Jo Bruton, an administrative assistant at New Horizons, 1920 S. Ohio.

Like many local employers, Dr. Ken Guest and Drs. Guy and Kathryn Gross choose the holiday time to reward their employees with a celebration, giving them an opportunity to relax and socialize with their colleagues.

Some employers plan relatively simple gatherings, while others spend thousands of dollars on buffet dinners and entertainment.

Dr. Kathryn Gross said she thinks it's important to reward employees each year for their loyalty and service to the doctors and patients.

"It's the season for giving, and we feel like our employees give us the ability to treat patients the best way possible and are a wonderful group of women to work with."

She said the outings also promote togetherness and help the employees develop a camaraderie.

"They get to know each other better, and the spouses and families," she said.

Terry Siegrist, a paraprofessional at the accounting firm Kennedy & Coe, 3030 Cortland Circle, has missed only one company Christmas party since she joined the firm about 22 years ago.

"It's usually a lot of fun to be in a different setting with the people you work with," Siegrist said. "We're on two different floors now, and there are some people you don't see all the time, so it's nice to be in a different setting and socialize with them."

Surprise entertainment

This year, she's helping to plan the event, which includes a social time during which alcohol will be served, dinner and entertainment for employees and their guests at the Salina Country Club.

Siegrist wouldn't reveal the entertainment for the Dec. 8 party, saying it's a surprise. But she said it's something the company hasn't done before.

"It's so memorable, our grandkids will be talking about it," she said, with a laugh.

Entertainment at parties has been varied. One year, the company hosted a casino night, with prize money being used to purchase items at an end-of-the-night auction. Another year, a ventriloquist kept the crowd laughing. There also was the year they did a murder mystery, and another where guests were invited to show their talent -- or lack of talent -- at karaoke.

It won't be cheap

Lola Fair, human resources director at Kennedy & Coe, says there's no established budget for the event, and she declined to comment on the amount usually spent.

"I don't know the exact cost, but it isn't cheap," she said. "We go to the country club, and they don't cut corners."

In addition to the party for the adults, Kennedy & Coe invites children and grandchildren of employees to the office late one afternoon near Christmas. The kids sit on Santa's lap and receive small gifts -- worth about $10 each -- purchased and wrapped by human resources employees. About 50 children a year attend that party.

"It's fun," Fair said. "Everybody enjoys it, and the kids love it. It's just fun to do."

A heck of a good time

Like Siegrist, Kevin White can remember missing the Christmas party only once in his 10 years at Exline, 3256 E. Country Club, and that was because he was ill. This year, he's chairman of the party committee. Planning for the shindig began in June.

Jo Ann Gile, human resource assistant, said about 150 people showed up at last year's party, including employees and their guests.

"It's a heck of a good time," Gile said.

In recent years, the party has been at the country club and included a buffet dinner and some sort of entertainment. Last year's hypnotist didn't go over well, White said, so this year, the committee has booked a strolling strings group to play during dinner, and The Soul Preachers, a local band, to play for an evening dance.

White said drinks are served for a short time before dinner, but the number of drinks is limited.

White said he's never been given a budget for the party, and he doesn't know what it costs.

"I know it's a pretty good chunk of change," White said. "We just come up with something every year, and they pay for it."

Rob Exline, president of Exline, wouldn't say how much he spends on the annual party. He said the bill gets higher each year as the number of employees increases and prices increase. The company employs about 200.

Exline sees the annual celebration as a way of thanking and rewarding his employees. Service awards are distributed at the dinner, and Exline usually gives a report on the company's performance.

"It's good, we think, to get everybody out of the working environment, get them together in a social environment, where they can socialize not only with each other but with their spouses," Exline said.

In the past, White said, employees and their guests were given trinkets -- such as wine glasses -- as mementos of the evening. But last year, instead of buying the trinkets, Exline donated money to establish the Exline Employee Charitable Fund with the Greater Salina Community Foundation. Each year, Exline plans to make a donation to the charitable fund, depending on the company's performance during the year. Interest from that fund -- and possibly a little principle -- will go to a charity designated by the party-planning committee.

This year, Exline said, employees bought a park bench to place outside the new Hospice of Salina building.

Exline wouldn't say how much the company contributed to the fund but said it was "a nice number."

"We're trying to build a fairly large fund, so we can protect the principle and use the income off of the fund each year," he said. "Hopefully, this year, we'll match last year's donation, to double the fund. The dollars available to donate to the community will, hopefully, grow quickly."

A time to be social

Salina Surgical Hospital, 401 S. Santa Fe, spends more than $5,000 on its annual holiday party for its employees and guests. Jim Sergeant, chief executive officer, said the hospital invites its 100 or so employees, physicians and board members to attend and bring a spouse or guest; about 150 people usually attend.

This year's party is at the Catholic Parish Hall and includes a catered dinner. After dinner, employees are recognized for years of service and are given small gifts.

"It's just a celebration for everybody," Sergeant said. "It's another chance for folks to be able to interact with each other, because they're not always able to do that during work. It's a time to spend a little time outside the facility with family and co-workers."

Sergeant said alcohol is served until about an hour before the end of the program.

"People are fairly responsible with that," Sergeant said.

Beth Vinson, marketing supervisor, said Salina Regional Health Center, 400 S. Santa Fe, doesn't have a large Christmas party for all of the staff.

The hospital's 1,300 employees usually are given $20 worth of Salina Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificates, and gatherings are left to the discretion of department heads.

Employees working Thanksgiving and Christmas usually receive a free turkey dinner in the cafeteria, she said. Administrators, in the past, have served turkey dinner to employees working the overnight shift, when the cafeteria is closed.

Set a date and hope

Party planners at the Salina businesses said they realize not every employee can make it on a given date for a party, so they try to announce the party date early and just hope for a good turnout.

Sergeant said Salina Surgical Hospital usually schedules its party for early December -- this year, it's Dec. 9 -- for the best turnout, and the date is announced as early as possible.

But sometimes, setting the date far in advance backfires.

"One year, Kansas State had a bowl game the night of our Christmas party," he said. "We ended up setting up a big-screen television, for the people who wanted to watch, then we had music on the other side. It worked out fine."

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Salina Journal November 9, 2006
Grants for youth programs available

Grant funding for youth-directed community projects is available through the Youth GrantMakers Council, which is taking applications through Dec. 1.

The council, comprised of youths from four Saline County high schools, is a program of the Greater Salina Comm

Foundation in the News

Salina Journal July 14, 2008 Good Corporate Citizens

Salina Journal July 11, 2008 The Volunteer Connection office open house is today

Salina Journal July 10, 2008 Companies come together to raise money for Chapman

Salina Journal June 20, 2008 Grant applications being accepted

Salina Journal June 12, 2008 Puppetry workshop gives children a chance to be part of river festival

Salina Journal June 2, 2008 Scholarships

Salina Journal May 31, 2008 GrantMakers Council announces awards

Salina Journal May 31, 2008 10 Named to Youth GrantMakers Council

Salina Journal May 12, 2008 Charities look to estates

Salina Journal May 7, 2008 Foundation forms is Smith County

Salina Journal April 30, 2008 Foundation awards $59,285 in grants

Salina Journal April 16, 2008 KWU's Project HERO receives funding from Greater Salina Community Foundation

Salina Journal April 12, 2008 Students work to give shoes

Salina Journal April 06, 2008 Removing Gangs

Salina Journal March 30, 2008 Child's play

Salina Journal March 28, 2008 Applications accepted for youth project grant

Salina Journal March 19, 2008 Youth Baseball Fund has $2,200 for grants

The Lindsborg News - Record March 5, 2008 Greater Salina Community Foundation Grants Assist the Assaria Community

Salina Journal March 5, 2008 Grants awarded for Assaria projects

Salina Journal March 2, 2008 Youth GrantMakers Council has openings

Salina Journal February 22, 2008 YWCA, YMCA programs always helped others

Salina Journal February 13, 2008 Deadline set for youth nominations

The Hays Daily News February 8, 2008 Diocese creates community foundation

Salina Journal February 5, 2008 Diocese, Community Foundation announce affiliation

Salina Journal January 21, 2008 Youth GrantMakers award grants

The Natoma-Luray Independent January 16, 2008 Salina foundation announces available scholarships

Salina Journal January 14, 2008 Foundation announces numerous scholarships

Salina Journal January 2, 2008 Eight students named grantmakers

Salina Journal December 21, 2007 Grant applications being accepted

Salina Journal November 27, 2007 Students plan to recycle

Salina Journal November 23, 2007 $7,000 available for Salina youth projects

Salina Journal November 15, 2007 Catalog might help you with charitable giving

Salina Journal November 10, 2007 Community Foundation announces $4.9 million gift

Salina Journal October 26, 2007 Greater Salina Community Foundation Grant awards

Salina Journal October 10, 2007 Salina foundation adds 2 affiliates

Salina Journal September 24, 2007 Eight students named grantmakers

Salina Journal August 8, 2007 Youth Grantmakers Council seeks innovative members

Salina Journal July 26, 2007 Foundation taking grant applications

Salina Journal July 7, 2007 Foundation has new Web site

LINDSBORG

Salina Journal May 17, 2007 Awards lunch recognizes two outstanding citizens

Salina Journal May 1, 2007 Project Linus

4-H members of Central Kansas District No. 3 are participating in Project Linus for the fourth year.

Salina Journal December 8, 2006 Leadership course applications sought

Salina Journal December 4, 2006 Foundation taking grant applications

Salina Journal November 27, 2006 Catalog filled with nonprofits' holiday wishes

Salina Journal November 19, 2006 playing SANTA