On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about recent donations to the Microfactory project and their importance to the area.

The full announcement from Grow Hays:

Grow Hays Inc., a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing the economic health and vitality of Ellis County, has received a grant in the amount of $500,000 from the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation. The funds will be used for upgrades to heating and cooling systems, enhanced accessibility for the movement of raw materials, and for construction of exterior storage for finished goods in the 30Ninth and 9th &amp; Commerce Parkway in Hays.

The MicroFactory will serve as an incubator for small manufacturers and startups, providing a low-cost, highly efficient environment for those companies to grow and prosper. &nbsp;

“The Schmidt Foundation continues Bob and Pat Schmidt’s legacy of providing resources to organizations working to make our community an amazing place to live,"&nbsp;said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams."&nbsp; We are thankful for their support on this highly impactful project.”&nbsp;

“The Schmidt Foundation is pleased to provide support for the Grow Hays MicroFactory. This facility will provide a highly efficient environment for manufacturing startups in our community for decades,” said Gary Shorman, president of the Schmidt Foundation. &nbsp;

Williams added, “The improvements these funds will support will create a more comfortable and efficient work environment for the companies that occupy the MicroFactory, increasing the opportunity for their success.”

For more information, call Grow Hays Inc. at 785.628.3102.

<div><iframe title="Schmidt Foundation donates $500,000 to Grow Hays Microfactory" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=pyd6a-13954d6-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about recent donations to the Microfactory project and their importance to the area.The full announcement from Grow Hays:Grow Hays Inc., a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing the economic health and vitality of Ellis County, has received a grant in the amount of $500,000 from the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation. The funds will be used for upgrades to heating and cooling systems, enhanced accessibility for the movement of raw materials, and for construction of exterior storage for finished goods in the 30Ninth and 9th &amp; Commerce Parkway in Hays.The MicroFactory will serve as an incubator for small manufacturers and startups, providing a low-cost, highly efficient environment for those companies to grow and prosper. &nbsp;“The Schmidt Foundation continues Bob and Pat Schmidt’s legacy of providing resources to organizations working to make our community an amazing place to live,"&nbsp;said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams."&nbsp; We are thankful for their support on this highly impactful project.”&nbsp;“The Schmidt Foundation is pleased to provide support for the Grow Hays MicroFactory. This facility will provide a highly efficient environment for manufacturing startups in our community for decades,” said Gary Shorman, president of the Schmidt Foundation. &nbsp;Williams added, “The improvements these funds will support will create a more comfortable and efficient work environment for the companies that occupy the MicroFactory, increasing the opportunity for their success.”For more information, call Grow Hays Inc. at 785.628.3102.

🎙 Post Podcast: Schmidt Foundation donates $500,000 to Grow Hays Microfactory

This week, fourth graders at Holy Family Elementary in Hays will once
again celebrate Shrove Tuesday with their annual pancake races.

“This is
the 34th annual pancake race,” said Holy Family Elementary teacher Maddy
Quimby. “As a former Holy Family student and now teacher, I remember racing
when I was in fourth grade. This is a fun tradition that we do year after
year. The students we all go out on the playground, and Mrs. Teresa Schrant cooks
up pancakes, and they have their frying pans and their aprons and we do a
traditional pancake race.”

Schrant
said while the tradition is has been a favorite activity for the students over
decades, the tradition dates back much further.

“Because
the people of England were not supposed to eat eggs, milk or fats during Lent,
they used them all up ahead of time, so they would make pancakes with it,”
Schrandt said.

According
to the official rules, you have to have your hair tied back, you have to
wear a dress, and you have to wear an apron, she said.

“But we
don't adhere to those rules, because we like the boys to be able to run,”
Schrant said. “So, they just have to have an apron and a frying pan. We have
all kinds of frying pans coming in — we have itty bitty ones, we have big cast
iron ones.”

No
matter the size of the pan, “they have to start with a flip,” Quimby said. “And
then they run a certain distance down and around an obstacle and they come back
and they have to end with a flip and catch it in order for their time to stop.”

After a
few cycles of racing, the winner is determined in a final round.

“The kids
really look forward to it. And the winners get an engraved spatula to show off,”
Schrant said.

“It's
something that the fourth graders look forward to from when they're young,”
Quimby said. “Only the
fourth grade gets to participate. Everybody else gets to watch. And I just
think it's really fun. All of the younger kids, especially if they've had older
siblings, (have) something to look forward to. And then the older kids kind of get to
reminisce about when they were racers.”

That nostalgia
also reflects in many of the parents, she said.

“We have
a lot of parents who raced as students coming back and racing with their
children,” Quimby said. 

"We do
have to tell the parents to not take it so seriously, because we have had scabs
and bruises,” Schrant said.

“And
broken teeth and dental work,” Quimby added. “Sometimes the parents are more competitive than the kid.”

<div><iframe title="Holy Family Elementary set for 34th annual pancake races" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=rrjmc-13934f9-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostThis week, fourth graders at Holy Family Elementary in Hays will once
again celebrate Shrove Tuesday with their annual pancake races.“This is
the 34th annual pancake race,” said Holy Family Elementary teacher Maddy
Quimby. “As a former Holy Family student and now teacher, I remember racing
when I was in fourth grade. This is a fun tradition that we do year after
year. The students we all go out on the playground, and Mrs. Teresa Schrant cooks
up pancakes, and they have their frying pans and their aprons and we do a
traditional pancake race.”Schrant
said while the tradition is has been a favorite activity for the students over
decades, the tradition dates back much further.“Because
the people of England were not supposed to eat eggs, milk or fats during Lent,
they used them all up ahead of time, so they would make pancakes with it,”
Schrandt said.According
to the official rules, you have to have your hair tied back, you have to
wear a dress, and you have to wear an apron, she said.“But we
don't adhere to those rules, because we like the boys to be able to run,”
Schrant said. “So, they just have to have an apron and a frying pan. We have
all kinds of frying pans coming in — we have itty bitty ones, we have big cast
iron ones.”No
matter the size of the pan, “they have to start with a flip,” Quimby said. “And
then they run a certain distance down and around an obstacle and they come back
and they have to end with a flip and catch it in order for their time to stop.”After a
few cycles of racing, the winner is determined in a final round.“The kids
really look forward to it. And the winners get an engraved spatula to show off,”
Schrant said.“It's
something that the fourth graders look forward to from when they're young,”
Quimby said. “Only the
fourth grade gets to participate. Everybody else gets to watch. And I just
think it's really fun. All of the younger kids, especially if they've had older
siblings, (have) something to look forward to. And then the older kids kind of get to
reminisce about when they were racers.”That nostalgia
also reflects in many of the parents, she said.“We have
a lot of parents who raced as students coming back and racing with their
children,” Quimby said. "We do
have to tell the parents to not take it so seriously, because we have had scabs
and bruises,” Schrant said.“And
broken teeth and dental work,” Quimby added. “Sometimes the parents are more competitive than the kid.”

🎙 Holy Family to celebrate Shrove Tuesday with annual pancake races

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gw26U8Rwnc0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.

🎤 Forward Ever: Kan. Attorney General Kris Kobach

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University's Glen McNeil shares information about almonds, wine and fat, all celebrated on Feb. 16.

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State University's Glen McNeil shares information about almonds, wine and fat, all celebrated on Feb. 16.<div><iframe title="Almonds, wine and fat celebrated during ’Fat Thursday’" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=q83y2-1393534-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

🎙 Post Podcast: Almonds, wine and fat celebrated during 'Fat Thursday'

On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County Emergency Medical Services director Danita Schroeder shares information about the department's cardiac event training.

<div><iframe title="Ellis County EMS helps residents train to assit during cardiac events" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=gsg4y-1391a57-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Ellis County Emergency Medical Services director Danita Schroeder shares information about the department's cardiac event training.

🎙 Post Podcast: Ellis County EMS helps residents train to assist during cardiac events

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger along with vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff share information about recent community activities and projects.

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber shares information about recent community projects" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=frqzh-138f844-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger along with vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff share information about recent community activities and projects.

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber shares information about recent community projects

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Public Library communications coordinator Callie Kolacny and outreach coordinator Jake Mishoulam share information about recent activities and events.

<div><iframe title="Bookmobile, community events help bring Hays library directly to community" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3yu4m-138d9f2-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Public Library communications coordinator Callie Kolacny and outreach coordinator Jake Mishoulam share information about recent activities and events.

🎙 Post Podcast: Bookmobile, community events help bring Hays library directly to community

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Heartland Community Foundation Sarah Meitner shares updates from the foundation about Match Month and details of a Big Give Day freewill dinner going on throughout Feb. 13 at Thirsty's Brew Pub and Grill in Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676307411104.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Heartland Community Foundation Sarah Meitner shares updates from the foundation about Match Month and details of a Big Give Day freewill dinner going on throughout Feb. 13 at Thirsty's Brew Pub and Grill in Hays.<div><iframe title="Free-will taco bar available at Thirsty’s during Big Give Day Feb. 13" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=yanf3-138d209-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

🎙 Post Podcast: Freewill taco bar available at Thirsty's during Big Give Day Feb. 13

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams discusses the City of Hays' Braun property plan.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Grow Hays director discusses the city of Hays’ Braun property plan" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ya5wg-1389209-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams discusses the City of Hays' Braun property plan.&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: Grow Hays director discusses the city of Hays' Braun property plan

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Police Department Lt. Jeff Ridgeway discusses the We Tip program.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2918d977-0c75-4956-91b2-b81c64cc3e02">Read more about the We Tip program at hayspost.com.</a>

<div><iframe title="Hays Police Department implements We Tip program" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ysr3w-13891cd-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Police Department Lt. Jeff Ridgeway discusses the We Tip program. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/2918d977-0c75-4956-91b2-b81c64cc3e02">Read more about the We Tip program at hayspost.com.</a>

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Police Department implements We Tip program

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Fort Hays State University recently hosted a forum on global affairs and civic engagement at the college and guested explained how the university is attempting to improve those opportunities.

"As I think everyone is aware, education is in a unique spot now, and we have to collaborate more. We have to find new partnerships and new pathways to move forward," said Haley Williams, FHSU Global Affairs operations director.

About a year ago, the global affairs office was reorganized, Williams said. That office in the past had focused on global partnerships.

"Our challenge was to begin thinking bigger and broader," she said, "on how we bring global opportunities to everyone that intersects with Fort Hays. It's not just about partnerships. It's about 'How I am developing as a globally engaged citizen here.' "

Luciana Mendoza of Paraguay is a student in international business and economics and works in the Office of Global Affairs.

Mendoza said becoming a global citizen is more than just learning another language.

"The word that comes to me is expansion," she said. "I would say it's expanding your thoughts, your mindset, your perspective on how other people live, on how other cultures think and really bringing yourself into other the shoes of these people."

She encourages Americans to take opportunities here to create opportunities for people in other countries even if they can't travel abroad.

"We are global citizens," she said. "We are citizens of the world."

Ryan Stanley, FHSU student body president, studied abroad.

"The world is so much bigger than your circle," he said. "Primarily [being a global citizen] is having the ability to step out of your circle."

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a3736bdf-8ec8-459f-b046-066abe5b8d87">Brittney Squire, Forsyth Library Outreach Specialist, said the recently launched&nbsp;Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator at FHSU will give students opportunities for internships.&nbsp;</a>

She talked about other opportunities for civic engagement.

In celebration of Global Engagement Day, FHSU took a small group to the Wetlands Education Center, where they built birdhouses for the center.

The university also offers Experiential Learning Innovation Grants for faculty, which are used to encourage faculty to offer hands-on learning. In the past year, the program had a record of 12 grants awarded.&nbsp;

In the fall, the university will be host to a Community-Engaged Teaching, Research and Service conference.

The American Democracy Project is a student-led program that allows students to engage in politics on campus.

The university also offers two certificates that are linked to community engagement. They include a community-engaged art certificate through the art department and a rural studies certificate that is offered through the history department. The university also will be launching a global scholar program.

The Campus Community Collaborative is in its third year, Squire said. It's a 10-member group that is dedicated to strengthening partnerships between the campus and the community.

Jeni McRay, assistant provost, said the university is trying to implement sustained involvement in global learning. She said the college is trying to create opportunities for FHSU students and faculty to go abroad and for international faculty and students to come to FHSU.

Todd Moore, chairman of the department of geosciences, is also the chairman of the FHSU sustainability task force.&nbsp;

He said the task force is going to focus on three main areas—curriculum, engagement and institution.&nbsp;

The university already offers a sustainability certificate.

"The goal is to expose students to the many dimensions of sustainability and empower them with the knowledge and skills that will be required to join the workforce and address the many global problems we have," Moore said.

Student organizations are being encouraged to get involved in the local community and contribute to that community.

The university is working on a project called the Five Rooms Project. Each room or area will address one of the five Es of sustainability, Moore said.

The five Es of sustainability are: • Economy • Ecogoloy • Equity • Education • Evaluation

The people involved in each of these areas will be tasked with brainstorming actionable goals that the university will work toward in the upcoming year.&nbsp;

"Hopefully, this will just be a stepping stone, and we will grow that program and include more rooms," he said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/20e78b28-c53b-4be2-8ea1-6a2f0512f5d1">Forty-four FHSU students representing 10 countries and multiple degree programs competed in the first sustainability-themed entrepreneurial competition, the EPI²C Challenge, during the fall semester.</a>

Mendoza was part of a team that created a business called&nbsp;UPpreciate, which focused on upcycled student residence hall room furnishings. That business plan won second place in the competition.

She and another team member were among 20 teams selected from 500 entries to pitch the&nbsp;UPpreciate plan in a national competition in Chicago.

Williams said Mendoza is already an experienced global citizen, but this opportunity has even further expanded her reach.

"In Global Affairs our heartbeat really is to take Fort Hays to the world and bring the world to Fort Hays," she said.

Williams said more than 40 countries are represented at the university. The university's newest global partners are in Cambodia and Senegal.

"Even if you never have a chance to travel aboard, the world is right here at Fort Hays," she said. "So find an international student or faculty member or crossborder faculty and interact with them. That alone is a learning opportunity."

Students may soon have an online way to go global. The university is working on a virtual global internship program, Williams said during an interview for the Hays Post Podcast. An example of this might be a student working with a nonprofit in a Third World country.

McRay said everyone on campus can find ways to connect. The university needs to continue to make faculty and students aware of those opportunities, she said.

"We need to make sure we are cultivating local, national, regional and international partnerships," she said, "and we are continually partnering with other people to figure out ways we can serve."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623104185951.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostFort Hays State University recently hosted a forum on global affairs and civic engagement at the college and guested explained how the university is attempting to improve those opportunities."As I think everyone is aware, education is in a unique spot now, and we have to collaborate more. We have to find new partnerships and new pathways to move forward," said Haley Williams, FHSU Global Affairs operations director.About a year ago, the global affairs office was reorganized, Williams said. That office in the past had focused on global partnerships.<div><iframe title="FHSU seeks to create global citizens with focus on sustainability" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=u6haw-1386877-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>"Our challenge was to begin thinking bigger and broader," she said, "on how we bring global opportunities to everyone that intersects with Fort Hays. It's not just about partnerships. It's about 'How I am developing as a globally engaged citizen here.' "Luciana Mendoza of Paraguay is a student in international business and economics and works in the Office of Global Affairs.Mendoza said becoming a global citizen is more than just learning another language."The word that comes to me is expansion," she said. "I would say it's expanding your thoughts, your mindset, your perspective on how other people live, on how other cultures think and really bringing yourself into other the shoes of these people."She encourages Americans to take opportunities here to create opportunities for people in other countries even if they can't travel abroad."We are global citizens," she said. "We are citizens of the world."Ryan Stanley, FHSU student body president, studied abroad."The world is so much bigger than your circle," he said. "Primarily [being a global citizen] is having the ability to step out of your circle."<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a3736bdf-8ec8-459f-b046-066abe5b8d87">Brittney Squire, Forsyth Library Outreach Specialist, said the recently launched&nbsp;Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator at FHSU will give students opportunities for internships.&nbsp;</a>She talked about other opportunities for civic engagement.In celebration of Global Engagement Day, FHSU took a small group to the Wetlands Education Center, where they built birdhouses for the center.The university also offers Experiential Learning Innovation Grants for faculty, which are used to encourage faculty to offer hands-on learning. In the past year, the program had a record of 12 grants awarded.&nbsp;In the fall, the university will be host to a Community-Engaged Teaching, Research and Service conference.The American Democracy Project is a student-led program that allows students to engage in politics on campus.The university also offers two certificates that are linked to community engagement. They include a community-engaged art certificate through the art department and a rural studies certificate that is offered through the history department. The university also will be launching a global scholar program.The Campus Community Collaborative is in its third year, Squire said. It's a 10-member group that is dedicated to strengthening partnerships between the campus and the community.Jeni McRay, assistant provost, said the university is trying to implement sustained involvement in global learning. She said the college is trying to create opportunities for FHSU students and faculty to go abroad and for international faculty and students to come to FHSU.Todd Moore, chairman of the department of geosciences, is also the chairman of the FHSU sustainability task force.&nbsp;He said the task force is going to focus on three main areas—curriculum, engagement and institution.&nbsp;The university already offers a sustainability certificate."The goal is to expose students to the many dimensions of sustainability and empower them with the knowledge and skills that will be required to join the workforce and address the many global problems we have," Moore said.Student organizations are being encouraged to get involved in the local community and contribute to that community.The university is working on a project called the Five Rooms Project. Each room or area will address one of the five Es of sustainability, Moore said.The five Es of sustainability are: • Economy • Ecogoloy • Equity • Education • EvaluationThe people involved in each of these areas will be tasked with brainstorming actionable goals that the university will work toward in the upcoming year.&nbsp;"Hopefully, this will just be a stepping stone, and we will grow that program and include more rooms," he said.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/20e78b28-c53b-4be2-8ea1-6a2f0512f5d1">Forty-four FHSU students representing 10 countries and multiple degree programs competed in the first sustainability-themed entrepreneurial competition, the EPI²C Challenge, during the fall semester.</a>Mendoza was part of a team that created a business called&nbsp;UPpreciate, which focused on upcycled student residence hall room furnishings. That business plan won second place in the competition.She and another team member were among 20 teams selected from 500 entries to pitch the&nbsp;UPpreciate plan in a national competition in Chicago.Williams said Mendoza is already an experienced global citizen, but this opportunity has even further expanded her reach."In Global Affairs our heartbeat really is to take Fort Hays to the world and bring the world to Fort Hays," she said.Williams said more than 40 countries are represented at the university. The university's newest global partners are in Cambodia and Senegal."Even if you never have a chance to travel aboard, the world is right here at Fort Hays," she said. "So find an international student or faculty member or crossborder faculty and interact with them. That alone is a learning opportunity."Students may soon have an online way to go global. The university is working on a virtual global internship program, Williams said during an interview for the Hays Post Podcast. An example of this might be a student working with a nonprofit in a Third World country.McRay said everyone on campus can find ways to connect. The university needs to continue to make faculty and students aware of those opportunities, she said."We need to make sure we are cultivating local, national, regional and international partnerships," she said, "and we are continually partnering with other people to figure out ways we can serve."

🎙 FHSU seeks to create global citizens with focus on sustainability

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger and vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff share information about the 2023 awards banquet.

<div><iframe title="Hays Chamber celebrates annual banquet award winners" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=yt54b-1387f4a-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber president and CEO Sarah Wasinger and vice president of membership Rhonda Meyerhoff share information about the 2023 awards banquet.

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays Chamber celebrates annual banquet award winners

On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about grant funding.

<div><iframe title="Grow Hays director discusses grant funding" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=hx824-137f438-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Grow Hays executive director Doug Williams shares information about grant funding.

🎙 Post Podcast: Grow Hays director discusses grant funding

During their annual meeting
Monday, the Ellis County Historical Society’s board of directors and trustees
heard an update from executive director Amanda Rupp.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9db863ca-00f4-4ff7-8415-b86fbecf070e?fbclid=IwAR1oWo8muLdncz0GcxZOHBefjkBzpQrp-HkjxfzByNe43NEPGBEI7ghbdxU">After officaly taking the reigns of the
society last summer, </a>Rupp said the staff and volunteers had made significant
strides in an ongoing effort to reorganize the society’s collection and
increase community involvement.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b9828fea-e8ae-4cb0-8cdf-fe1760f225e0">And with the accomplishments of
the last year setting an overall positive tone for the future of the society</a>,
she provided some exciting initiatives the society has planned for 2023 as they
settle back into their recently renovated office space on the lower floor of
the former Presbyterian Church on their campus at Seventh and Main that serves
as the society’s main facility.

“It was
nice to be back home,” Rupp said. “It's nice to have (Curator Adam Conkey) and
I working on the same premises.”

C<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4b82c3c2-8654-43f3-b842-f85a8deace1b">reating an updated office space is just the first step in restoring the entire
facility to fill its mission.</a>

“At that
meeting, we got to unveil our plans for the phase two of that project that was
just to get us back home to kind of make a suitable space for people to visit,”
Rupp said.

She said
phase two is more significant in scope and will solidify the entire building to
allow continuing efforts to open the museum to the public.

“These
are not the flashy and inspiring things that people want to jump on board and
support,” Rupp said. “But these are the things that need support, and it's
probably – out of the three phases that we have going – to be the biggest
ticket part of the project.”

In phase
two, she said they would add an ADA-accessible ramp to the church's south side,
allowing access to the archives and office spaces. They also will turn a storage space near the office into a curator lab that will enable the society to
process artifacts. A new ADA-compliant bathroom also is scheduled to be created
from two smaller existing bathrooms.

The
effort also will work to restore the exterior of the church building and
replace the building’s HVAC system.

“It will
take care of the humidity problem and any issues that we have there with
artifacts,” Rupp said.

The HVAC
system replacement can be split as the current system is comprised of four units
but will cost over $600,000. She projects with the mason work, phase two
will top $850,000.

In an
effort to show their own support for the project, Rupp said the board,
reflecting the desire of the community to save the building, has already donated
over $30,000 to the effort.

“They
all decided that they're going to be all behind it, 100 percent,” she said. 

A ramp
purchase with funds from the Heartland Community Foundation that adds accessibility
to the adjacent stone church, Rupp said, also is scheduled to be installed
soon.

With the
plan outlined, she said details can be finalized while fundraising is ongoing.

“We are
in the planning stages, but we have our preliminary drawing set for the
construction part,” Rupp said. “We have the contractors ready to go for the
outside stonework. So that's all in place, just waiting our turn in the
rotation when they come back there.”

As
efforts continue on the main campus, Rupp also said work is ongoing to give the
society storage space and a satellite campus in Victoria in the former rest
home, now known as St. John’s Place.

“We are
still working on that,” Rupp said. “When it goes silent, a little bit people
assume or get a little nervous, but we are still working on that with the (Victoria
Community Coalition.) So hopefully, we will have that ready to go, and we can
then move some of our artifacts because part of that building will be storage.”

At the meeting, she announced a
gift to the society had been made that would help that project move forward.

Philanthropist
Don Bickle gave $50,000 to the society for the project, Rupp said.

“I had
been visiting with him about how the museum started and their mission back then,”
she said.“After many years of doing other things, we have earned his
support once again.”

Once the
storage space there has been secured, she said opening a gallery space would
fall into place quickly.

“I would
say within a year, we could get in there and open it,” Rupp said. 

<div><iframe title="Remodel, expansion plans discussed during Ellis County Historical Society annual meeting" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=c5ym8-137f4f0-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675445922079.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Historical Society executive director Amanda Rupp discusses future plans for the society and museum during their annual meeting." />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Historical Society executive director Amanda Rupp discusses future plans for the society and museum during their annual meeting.</figcaption>
 </figure>By James Bell Hays PostDuring their annual meeting
Monday, the Ellis County Historical Society’s board of directors and trustees
heard an update from executive director Amanda Rupp.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9db863ca-00f4-4ff7-8415-b86fbecf070e?fbclid=IwAR1oWo8muLdncz0GcxZOHBefjkBzpQrp-HkjxfzByNe43NEPGBEI7ghbdxU">After officaly taking the reigns of the
society last summer, </a>Rupp said the staff and volunteers had made significant
strides in an ongoing effort to reorganize the society’s collection and
increase community involvement.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b9828fea-e8ae-4cb0-8cdf-fe1760f225e0">And with the accomplishments of
the last year setting an overall positive tone for the future of the society</a>,
she provided some exciting initiatives the society has planned for 2023 as they
settle back into their recently renovated office space on the lower floor of
the former Presbyterian Church on their campus at Seventh and Main that serves
as the society’s main facility.“It was
nice to be back home,” Rupp said. “It's nice to have (Curator Adam Conkey) and
I working on the same premises.”C<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4b82c3c2-8654-43f3-b842-f85a8deace1b">reating an updated office space is just the first step in restoring the entire
facility to fill its mission.</a>“At that
meeting, we got to unveil our plans for the phase two of that project that was
just to get us back home to kind of make a suitable space for people to visit,”
Rupp said.She said
phase two is more significant in scope and will solidify the entire building to
allow continuing efforts to open the museum to the public.“These
are not the flashy and inspiring things that people want to jump on board and
support,” Rupp said. “But these are the things that need support, and it's
probably – out of the three phases that we have going – to be the biggest
ticket part of the project.”In phase
two, she said they would add an ADA-accessible ramp to the church's south side,
allowing access to the archives and office spaces. They also will turn a storage space near the office into a curator lab that will enable the society to
process artifacts. A new ADA-compliant bathroom also is scheduled to be created
from two smaller existing bathrooms.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675445895494.jpeg" alt="Ellis County Historical Society leadership listens to executive director Amanda Rupp share an update on the previous year." />
 <figcaption>Ellis County Historical Society leadership listens to executive director Amanda Rupp share an update on the previous year.</figcaption>
 </figure>The
effort also will work to restore the exterior of the church building and
replace the building’s HVAC system.“It will
take care of the humidity problem and any issues that we have there with
artifacts,” Rupp said.The HVAC
system replacement can be split as the current system is comprised of four units
but will cost over $600,000. She projects with the mason work, phase two
will top $850,000.In an
effort to show their own support for the project, Rupp said the board,
reflecting the desire of the community to save the building, has already donated
over $30,000 to the effort.“They
all decided that they're going to be all behind it, 100 percent,” she said. A ramp
purchase with funds from the Heartland Community Foundation that adds accessibility
to the adjacent stone church, Rupp said, also is scheduled to be installed
soon.With the
plan outlined, she said details can be finalized while fundraising is ongoing.“We are
in the planning stages, but we have our preliminary drawing set for the
construction part,” Rupp said. “We have the contractors ready to go for the
outside stonework. So that's all in place, just waiting our turn in the
rotation when they come back there.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675445911503.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The
satellite</h2>As
efforts continue on the main campus, Rupp also said work is ongoing to give the
society storage space and a satellite campus in Victoria in the former rest
home, now known as St. John’s Place.“We are
still working on that,” Rupp said. “When it goes silent, a little bit people
assume or get a little nervous, but we are still working on that with the (Victoria
Community Coalition.) So hopefully, we will have that ready to go, and we can
then move some of our artifacts because part of that building will be storage.”At the meeting, she announced a
gift to the society had been made that would help that project move forward.Philanthropist
Don Bickle gave $50,000 to the society for the project, Rupp said.“I had
been visiting with him about how the museum started and their mission back then,”
she said.“After many years of doing other things, we have earned his
support once again.”Once the
storage space there has been secured, she said opening a gallery space would
fall into place quickly.“I would
say within a year, we could get in there and open it,” Rupp said.

🎙 Remodel, expansion plans discussed during Ellis County Historical Society annual meeting

On this episode of the Post Podcast Thomas More Prep-Marian Pop Singers director Alex Rome shares information about their upcoming Pop Singers Showcase.

<div><iframe title="TMP-Marian Pop Singers Showcase coming this weekend" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=kispg-137f411-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Thomas More Prep-Marian Pop Singers director Alex Rome shares information about their upcoming Pop Singers Showcase.

🎙 Post Podcast: TMP-Marian Pop Singers Showcase coming this weekend

Area residents will once again have the opportunity to hear directly
from their local legislators during the Hays Chamber’s 2023 Legislative Coffee
Series.

The first of the three Saturday morning events is scheduled to begin at
8 a.m. Feb. 4 at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main.

“This is
one of my favorite events, actually, because it gives us an opportunity just to
interact with our elected officials,” said Hays Chamber President and CEO Sarah
Wasinger. “There are so many important issues that are being addressed at this
local, state and national level. And really, the reason behind this event is to
give our community members a chance to express their concerns and make sure
that their voices are being heard.”

The
follow-up events are scheduled for March 4 and April 1.

“We
really try to keep it as low-key as possible,” Wasinger said. “They open up
with some opening remarks, a couple of minutes each. And then really we open
that up to the question-and answer-portion after that.”

Questions
for the participating legislators can be submitted in advance.

“We had
probably more questions submitted, actually, at the first legislative coffee
last year than I've at least had since I've been with the chamber,” Wasinger
said. “People are engaged. They're paying attention to what's going on, and you
get to hear a variety of thoughts and perspectives from different individuals
across the community. And then, of course, our elected officials will weigh in
with where their heads and hearts are sitting at the moment. And it's just a
good dialogue.”

The format of the sessions will be
the same as previous years, featuring coffee and scones from Breathe Coffee
House, with the formal program scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.

“We usually
have about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, it really just depends on how
many representatives or legislators we have there that day,” Wasinger said. “And
then we finish with some closing remarks.”

The
sessions, she said, can also serve as a way to network with the legislators.

“I think
many people oftentimes are stuck in these situations or problems, and they
don't necessarily know who to reach out to,” Wasinger said. “That's when your
elected officials can really come in and roll up their sleeves and do the work
that they need to do to support you.

“There's
definitely value in building those relationships and attending.”

Topics
covered during the sessions will vary based on what is happening in the
legislature and submitted questions.

“Things
that we may talk about, at least what we talked about last year, was Medicaid
expansion,” Wasinger said. “Obviously, education funding is always a hot topic,
gun legislation, as western Kansas citizens appreciate that topic usually. And
then, of course, water access. We'd be remiss not to talk about economic
development and housing. Of course, childcare and ag industry, those are all
things that tend to be hot topics, regardless of what is going on in the
legislative session.”

So far, she said Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland,
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, and Rep. Barbara Wasinger, R-Hays, plan to attend Saturday’s
kickoff event along with a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall.

“I think
it'll be a great crowd, we always look forward to the answers that they will
share,” Wasinger said. “I think it's interesting that everybody can kind of
just understand that dialogue and conversation is important.”

Midwest
Energy and the Hays Daily News sponsored the legislative coffee series.

Questions
can be sent to <a href="mailto:sarah@hayschamber.com">sarah@hayschamber.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646612730538.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Hays Chamber’s Legislative Coffee series returns for 2023" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=j3zu7-1378a82-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostArea residents will once again have the opportunity to hear directly
from their local legislators during the Hays Chamber’s 2023 Legislative Coffee
Series.The first of the three Saturday morning events is scheduled to begin at
8 a.m. Feb. 4 at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main.“This is
one of my favorite events, actually, because it gives us an opportunity just to
interact with our elected officials,” said Hays Chamber President and CEO Sarah
Wasinger. “There are so many important issues that are being addressed at this
local, state and national level. And really, the reason behind this event is to
give our community members a chance to express their concerns and make sure
that their voices are being heard.”The
follow-up events are scheduled for March 4 and April 1.“We
really try to keep it as low-key as possible,” Wasinger said. “They open up
with some opening remarks, a couple of minutes each. And then really we open
that up to the question-and answer-portion after that.”Questions
for the participating legislators can be submitted in advance.“We had
probably more questions submitted, actually, at the first legislative coffee
last year than I've at least had since I've been with the chamber,” Wasinger
said. “People are engaged. They're paying attention to what's going on, and you
get to hear a variety of thoughts and perspectives from different individuals
across the community. And then, of course, our elected officials will weigh in
with where their heads and hearts are sitting at the moment. And it's just a
good dialogue.”The format of the sessions will be
the same as previous years, featuring coffee and scones from Breathe Coffee
House, with the formal program scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.“We usually
have about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, it really just depends on how
many representatives or legislators we have there that day,” Wasinger said. “And
then we finish with some closing remarks.”The
sessions, she said, can also serve as a way to network with the legislators.“I think
many people oftentimes are stuck in these situations or problems, and they
don't necessarily know who to reach out to,” Wasinger said. “That's when your
elected officials can really come in and roll up their sleeves and do the work
that they need to do to support you.“There's
definitely value in building those relationships and attending.”Topics
covered during the sessions will vary based on what is happening in the
legislature and submitted questions.“Things
that we may talk about, at least what we talked about last year, was Medicaid
expansion,” Wasinger said. “Obviously, education funding is always a hot topic,
gun legislation, as western Kansas citizens appreciate that topic usually. And
then, of course, water access. We'd be remiss not to talk about economic
development and housing. Of course, childcare and ag industry, those are all
things that tend to be hot topics, regardless of what is going on in the
legislative session.”So far, she said Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland,
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, and Rep. Barbara Wasinger, R-Hays, plan to attend Saturday’s
kickoff event along with a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall.“I think
it'll be a great crowd, we always look forward to the answers that they will
share,” Wasinger said. “I think it's interesting that everybody can kind of
just understand that dialogue and conversation is important.”Midwest
Energy and the Hays Daily News sponsored the legislative coffee series.Questions
can be sent to <a href="mailto:sarah@hayschamber.com">sarah@hayschamber.com</a>

🎙 Hays Chamber’s Legislative Coffee series returns for 2023

On this episode of the Post Podcast, Ellis County sheriff, Scott Braun discusses cold weather safety tips.

<div><iframe title="Ellis County Sheriff shares cold weather safety information" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=icypi-137ca0c-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast, Ellis County sheriff, Scott Braun discusses cold weather safety tips.

🎙 Post Podcast: Ellis County Sheriff shares cold weather safety information

Get more than double the local impact with a charitable
gift this month.

The annual Heartland Community Foundation match month has
returned this February.

As the group continues to build its coffers, the annual
assistance from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation allows it to positively impact
community groups and projects throughout the year.

During the month, the Hansen Foundation has challenged
the Heartland Foundation to raise $50,000 in each of the three counties it serves – Ellis, Trego and Rooks.

“So, in 28 days, we have to raise that,” said Heartland
Community Foundation Executive Director Sarah Meitner.&nbsp;

While
the annual match month has been an opportunity to generate more funds for
Heartland, the Hansen Foundation has upped the ante this year.

“In
the past, they've doubled the match, so they've done $1 for $1,” Meitner said.
“This year, they're doing $2 for every dollar.”

If
each of the three Heartland counties raises the $50,000 challenge amount, she
said Hansen would match that with $300,000.

“That
money goes into our legacy funds,” Meitner said. “Each county has one, the
Ellis County Legacy Fund, the Rooks County Legacy Fund, the Trego County Legacy
Fund, and those are our primary granting funds.”

Those
funds are unrestricted, meaning donations from those accounts can go to any
cause.

“Schools,
churches, any nonprofit, service providers, cities, municipalities, you name
it,” Meitner said. “We want to grow that fund because the more we grow
it, the more we can grant. So yeah, this is amazing to get that extra
incentive to really spur giving.”

And
while giving money to deserving groups is a hallmark of the organization,
Meitner said as the fund grows, the ability to give in the future also
increases.

“It's an endowed fund,” she said. “That means that we don't
actually grant out the principle of the fund — we're letting that grow. We grant
out the investment income.”

And
while the foundation doesn't always grant the total amount available every year, she said
it must give at least 5 percent under federal guidelines.

“I
get about 120 applications a year,” Meitner said. “We can't grant to all of
those. There's just simply not enough money. We haven't gotten there yet. We're
trying. We're growing it.”

Last
year’s grants totaled over $422,000, she said, for both organizations and projects.

“I think
the schools were actually our largest granting recipient, and it was at about
$112,000," Meitner said. "After that, it was service providers, health care and service
providers. And then roughly $78,000 went toward public safety and disaster
relief.”

Another
$36,000 was distributed to arts, and culture projects and $32,000 went to parks.

“Your
donation to the Heartland Community Foundation can really touch so many lives
because of the wide breadth of impact,” Meitner said. “It goes toward fire
safety. It can go toward law enforcement. It can go toward children and arts
and culture, parks — a little bit of everything.”

And
over the lifetime of the Heartland Foundation, she said around $3.2 million had
been distributed.

“Certainly, the ripple effect of that has been tremendous,”
Meitner said.

And
while the foundation continues to grow, she said the organization can also help
connect potential donors with opportunities to give.

“In
the future, I hope that we'll be able to have even more to grant out, but when
people are looking for a way to make an impact come to me, I can help point you
in the right direction,” Meitner said. “We can match you up with whatever it is
that fires you up.”

This
year, she said they have also added a bonus incentive to give.

“If
you donate between Feb. 1 and Feb. 15, you will be entered to win $500 in
chamber bucks that we will draw on the morning of the 16th,” Meitner said. “And
if you donate over $500, you'll be entered twice.”

The
drawings will be offered in each of the foundation’s three counties.

“If
you want to gift all three counties, you could be entered three times,” Meitner
said. “We'll draw that and just try to spread the word and remind people that
it's match month and see how much we can raise.”

But
even without the incentive, she said the region is home to those that desire to
give.

“I believe that we're really fortunate in this region to
have very generous people. And so, our nonprofits in town are really able to
make the most of the money that they have to make the biggest impact and do
good work. They're the boots on the ground."

"But
that generosity, I also believe, it's not finite. I say the pie just gets
larger because people dig a little bit deeper. And especially when there's an
incentive, like a match incentive, but also just when there's a really good story
to tell, and somebody who truly needs it, our region, our communities, they
turn out, and they want to help.”

Donations
can be made at&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/" target="_blank">heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a>, by phone at (785) 621-4090 or in person at their
office in the Chestnut Building at 1200 Main.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647093312739.jpg" alt="Image courtesy Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostGet more than double the local impact with a charitable
gift this month.The annual Heartland Community Foundation match month has
returned this February.As the group continues to build its coffers, the annual
assistance from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation allows it to positively impact
community groups and projects throughout the year.During the month, the Hansen Foundation has challenged
the Heartland Foundation to raise $50,000 in each of the three counties it serves – Ellis, Trego and Rooks.“So, in 28 days, we have to raise that,” said Heartland
Community Foundation Executive Director Sarah Meitner.&nbsp;While
the annual match month has been an opportunity to generate more funds for
Heartland, the Hansen Foundation has upped the ante this year.<div><iframe title="Match month gives gifts to area foundation more impact" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=r3d45-137b1ac-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>“In
the past, they've doubled the match, so they've done $1 for $1,” Meitner said.
“This year, they're doing $2 for every dollar.”If
each of the three Heartland counties raises the $50,000 challenge amount, she
said Hansen would match that with $300,000.“That
money goes into our legacy funds,” Meitner said. “Each county has one, the
Ellis County Legacy Fund, the Rooks County Legacy Fund, the Trego County Legacy
Fund, and those are our primary granting funds.”Those
funds are unrestricted, meaning donations from those accounts can go to any
cause.“Schools,
churches, any nonprofit, service providers, cities, municipalities, you name
it,” Meitner said. “We want to grow that fund because the more we grow
it, the more we can grant. So yeah, this is amazing to get that extra
incentive to really spur giving.”And
while giving money to deserving groups is a hallmark of the organization,
Meitner said as the fund grows, the ability to give in the future also
increases.“It's an endowed fund,” she said. “That means that we don't
actually grant out the principle of the fund — we're letting that grow. We grant
out the investment income.”And
while the foundation doesn't always grant the total amount available every year, she said
it must give at least 5 percent under federal guidelines.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648234209135.jpeg" alt="Sarah Meitner (File photo)" />
 <figcaption>Sarah Meitner (File photo)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Not enough money ...</h2>“I
get about 120 applications a year,” Meitner said. “We can't grant to all of
those. There's just simply not enough money. We haven't gotten there yet. We're
trying. We're growing it.”Last
year’s grants totaled over $422,000, she said, for both organizations and projects.“I think
the schools were actually our largest granting recipient, and it was at about
$112,000," Meitner said. "After that, it was service providers, health care and service
providers. And then roughly $78,000 went toward public safety and disaster
relief.”Another
$36,000 was distributed to arts, and culture projects and $32,000 went to parks.“Your
donation to the Heartland Community Foundation can really touch so many lives
because of the wide breadth of impact,” Meitner said. “It goes toward fire
safety. It can go toward law enforcement. It can go toward children and arts
and culture, parks — a little bit of everything.”And
over the lifetime of the Heartland Foundation, she said around $3.2 million had
been distributed.“Certainly, the ripple effect of that has been tremendous,”
Meitner said.And
while the foundation continues to grow, she said the organization can also help
connect potential donors with opportunities to give.“In
the future, I hope that we'll be able to have even more to grant out, but when
people are looking for a way to make an impact come to me, I can help point you
in the right direction,” Meitner said. “We can match you up with whatever it is
that fires you up.”This
year, she said they have also added a bonus incentive to give.“If
you donate between Feb. 1 and Feb. 15, you will be entered to win $500 in
chamber bucks that we will draw on the morning of the 16th,” Meitner said. “And
if you donate over $500, you'll be entered twice.”The
drawings will be offered in each of the foundation’s three counties.“If
you want to gift all three counties, you could be entered three times,” Meitner
said. “We'll draw that and just try to spread the word and remind people that
it's match month and see how much we can raise.”But
even without the incentive, she said the region is home to those that desire to
give.“I believe that we're really fortunate in this region to
have very generous people. And so, our nonprofits in town are really able to
make the most of the money that they have to make the biggest impact and do
good work. They're the boots on the ground.""But
that generosity, I also believe, it's not finite. I say the pie just gets
larger because people dig a little bit deeper. And especially when there's an
incentive, like a match incentive, but also just when there's a really good story
to tell, and somebody who truly needs it, our region, our communities, they
turn out, and they want to help.”Donations
can be made at&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/" target="_blank">heartlandcommunityfoundation.org</a>, by phone at (785) 621-4090 or in person at their
office in the Chestnut Building at 1200 Main.

🎙Gifts to Heartland Foundation to be matched during February

On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays High FFA Alumni organizers discuss their upcoming fundraiser set for Feb. 4.

<div><iframe title="Hays High FFA Alumni fundraiser nearly here" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=9qqkw-137ad6c-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays High FFA Alumni organizers discuss their upcoming fundraiser set for Feb. 4.

🎙 Post Podcast: Hays High FFA Alumni Fundraiser nearly here

A
project years in the making took a significant step forward last week with&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/09ac3361-ef7e-4078-a540-b0cfafaf1bc5" target="_blank">the
announcement of a land donation from HaysMed that will be home to The Grove</a>, a housing and community center development at the
intersection of 27th and Canterbury.&nbsp;

“This
has been a long time coming,” said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams.
“We've been talking about this for at least a couple of years.”

The
impetus behind the project was a community economic impact survey highlighting
the significant economic impact of retirement-age populations on Ellis County
and the greater northwest Kansas region.

But
work needed to be done to capture the potential economic influence of that
population.

“We
haven't done a very good job of building retiree appropriate housing, giving
existing retirees an option to downsize if that may be the case, as well as
attract retirees from other areas into our community,” Williams said.

And
so the idea for The Grove was born, a development that would help&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/cbc95f5a-dac2-4607-87ad-45b8fe00b7d5" target="_blank">address
the ongoing housing shortage in Ellis County</a>, the lack of childcare and create a new multi-use
community center.

“We
saw this acreage north of the hospital that was just a wheat field and thought,
‘What a great spot to put in a retiree-focused housing development, along with
a community center that could house the Senior Center, which is currently
housed out by the airport,’” Williams said.

“With
that thought process in mind, it then evolved into the other thing we really
have a problem within our community … child care.”

The
combination of usage married perfectly into the idea that will move into the
next development phase now that land has been secured.

Grow
Hays announced the donation from HaysMed during Thursday’s City Commission
meeting, followed by a statement from Grow Hays and the hospital.

“We
deal with housing issues for our associates daily,” said Eddie Herrman, CEO of
HaysMed. “The Grove will create much-needed housing for our community. The
location, and its proximity to our facilities, will provide easy access for
associates, patients, and all who choose to live there.”

“We
believe that it's the perfect location and the right idea,” Williams said. “And
so now we just need to execute. We've got an arrangement with the hospital for
the purchase of the property, and they have agreed to generously donate the
land that the community center would be located on. That's about a $250,000
value of that land, that they'll be donating. And so, we believe we've got all
the right pieces in place, and we're ready to go.”

While planning continues, he said&nbsp;the community center
would be about 14,000 square feet, with around half dedicated to a childcare
facility.

The
other half will house the Senior center and general community rooms that area
residents can use for various activities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675020112352.png" alt="A conceptual drawing of the Community Center in The Grove." />
 <figcaption>A conceptual drawing of the Community Center in The Grove.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostA
project years in the making took a significant step forward last week with&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/09ac3361-ef7e-4078-a540-b0cfafaf1bc5" target="_blank">the
announcement of a land donation from HaysMed that will be home to The Grove</a>, a housing and community center development at the
intersection of 27th and Canterbury.&nbsp;“This
has been a long time coming,” said Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams.
“We've been talking about this for at least a couple of years.”The
impetus behind the project was a community economic impact survey highlighting
the significant economic impact of retirement-age populations on Ellis County
and the greater northwest Kansas region.But
work needed to be done to capture the potential economic influence of that
population.<div><iframe title="Latest Grow Hays project to bring additional housing; new community center to Hays" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=g4w8x-1377853-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>“We
haven't done a very good job of building retiree appropriate housing, giving
existing retirees an option to downsize if that may be the case, as well as
attract retirees from other areas into our community,” Williams said.And
so the idea for The Grove was born, a development that would help&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/cbc95f5a-dac2-4607-87ad-45b8fe00b7d5" target="_blank">address
the ongoing housing shortage in Ellis County</a>, the lack of childcare and create a new multi-use
community center.“We
saw this acreage north of the hospital that was just a wheat field and thought,
‘What a great spot to put in a retiree-focused housing development, along with
a community center that could house the Senior Center, which is currently
housed out by the airport,’” Williams said.“With
that thought process in mind, it then evolved into the other thing we really
have a problem within our community … child care.”The
combination of usage married perfectly into the idea that will move into the
next development phase now that land has been secured.Grow
Hays announced the donation from HaysMed during Thursday’s City Commission
meeting, followed by a statement from Grow Hays and the hospital.“We
deal with housing issues for our associates daily,” said Eddie Herrman, CEO of
HaysMed. “The Grove will create much-needed housing for our community. The
location, and its proximity to our facilities, will provide easy access for
associates, patients, and all who choose to live there.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675019909019.jpeg" alt="Land directly north of HaysMed was donated to The Grove project just north of the hospital's main facility." />
 <figcaption>Land directly north of HaysMed was donated to The Grove project just north of the hospital's main facility.</figcaption>
 </figure>“We
believe that it's the perfect location and the right idea,” Williams said. “And
so now we just need to execute. We've got an arrangement with the hospital for
the purchase of the property, and they have agreed to generously donate the
land that the community center would be located on. That's about a $250,000
value of that land, that they'll be donating. And so, we believe we've got all
the right pieces in place, and we're ready to go.”While planning continues, he said&nbsp;the community center
would be about 14,000 square feet, with around half dedicated to a childcare
facility.The
other half will house the Senior center and general community rooms that area
residents can use for various activities.“We
need some additional space for those types of things,” Williams said. “This
will fill that need.”The
housing development will also add to the available Hays inventory. Still, while
there is a focus on age-appropriate housing needs, other market segments will
also benefit.“There'll
be some multifamily housing, there'll be some duplex townhouse units, and then
there'll be patio homes,” Williams said. “There'll be a good variety of housing
to try and meet kind of all needs.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675020588353.jpeg" alt="A rendering of The Grove layout." />
 <figcaption>A rendering of The Grove layout.</figcaption>
 </figure>Now that the location is secured, he said the planning
work, including obtaining funding, will begin immediately.“We
hope that for the community center, we will start a fundraising effort, and we
hope to get participation from the city, the county, local foundations and
local individuals,” Williams said. “It's going to take everybody. It's going to
be a real community effort to make all that work because it's a big facility,
and it's a $4-4.5 million build.”The
first step is to begin the annexation process, as the land is outside the Hays
city limits.The
land would then need to be zoned appropriately.“We're
hoping to get that done this spring in all the annexation planning and zoning
and then start on some infrastructure sometime late summer, next fall,” Williams
said.“We're
excited. ...We've got a great design and a great concept. And so we have a long
road ahead of us because we got to raise a whole bunch of money to do it. But
the plan is pretty well in place. And now we just need to move forward with it.”