The Salina Journal
Mike Wagner usually wears a plaid shirt, blue jeans and work boots, but this weekend is different.
Accompanying his long black and gray beard trimmed and groomed the diesel mechanic and businessman from Hays has acquired more of an Ivy League wardrobe for the grand opening of St. John’s Military School Historical Museum.
For much of the three days packed with events many of them aiming to raise money for the museum the 1991 SJMS graduate will don suits and neckties to greet his beloved cadet-mates, former faculty and staff, and supporters, when they visit the old campus in north Salina.
The Heartland Community Foundation s fifth annual Twice As Nice campaign in February raised $410,145 for Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties, surpassing its goal, that organization has announced.
Sarah Meitner, HCF s executive director, expressed gratitude to its supporters in those counties in a news release April 5.
“We were unsure how the economic climate might impact giving, but the communities exceeded our expectations,” she said.
HCF, an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, since 2007 has been connecting donors with philanthropic causes in Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties.
The money raised will be invested into HCF’s county grant endowment funds, which make funds available to award as grants to local nonprofits, charitable programs and projects. The money raised in each county stays in that county.
$56,000 awarded in 13 community grants
The Salina Journal
The Greater Salina Community Foundation recently awarded $56,378.90 to 13 charitable projects and organizations in Saline County. This round of grants was made possible by four funds at the community foundation: the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, which supports projects and programs that improve the community’s quality of life; the Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education and Development, established by Mark and Jane Berkley to better prepare children in Ottawa and Saline Counties for kindergarten; the Kansas Health Foundation Fund, which supports the public health of Saline County; and the L.P. “Pat” Mullen Fund, which supports hands-on learning opportunities for youth in the areas of arts and humanities and science, technology and invention.
Cup of Joe: Giving in many ways
By Joe McKenzie Special to the Salina Journal
Bid Appetit: The Noon Network Ambucs club provides about $30,000 annually in mobility products, Amtrykes and scholarships. They usually have a festive dining experience, plus an auction, but for 2021, it’s just a fantastic auction of items, such as a package from Smoky Hill Meats, Skydiving, Country Club Gold passes, Wine & Massage and many more. Get inspired. Help someone gain mobility. Make a bid at: noonambucs.com.
Train Whistles: I don’t think we hear as many train whistles as we used to, but, unless they honk right outside your home, they’re still nice to hear. The sound is a communication, a safety message, so they do tell a story of sorts. When I hear them at night, I can imagine the train crew riding out of town and saying good-night. And, they do sound lonesome.