Community, students donate during Heartland Foundation Give Fest
Posted Oct 14, 2025 5:06 PM
A volunteer from STEM Harvest of Hays engages in a robot battle with a student from Holy Family Elementary School during the Heartland Community Foundation Give Fest on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
The Heartland Community Foundation celebrated its second-annual Give Fest on Friday in Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties.
During the 24-hour giving period, all donations made to participating nonprofits were matched from a $150,000 match pool, with $50,000 designated for each county.
Fifty-eight organizations participated in the event.
Every fifth grader in Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties participated in the 5th Grade Give Bucks initiative.
They received funds to donate to a local nonprofit of their choice. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Ellis County students received $15, while Rooks and Trego County students received $10.
Students visited the Give Fest events to meet nonprofits throughout the day, learn about their missions, and choose where to donate their Give Bucks.
"This taught young people firsthand the joy and power of philanthropy," the Heartland Community Foundation said in a press release.
Jay Harris, K-State Extension district director, right, watches as a Holy Family Elementary School student make spin art during Give Fest on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays PostHays USD 489 students try on fire gear at the Heartland Community Foundation Give Fest Friday at the Hays Recreation Center. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays PostHays USD 489 participate in a root beer stein holding contest sponsored by Oktoberfest at the Heartland Community Foundation Give Fest on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays PostHoly Family students learn about the Cancer Council from a volunteer on Friday at Give Fest. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays PostUnited Way was one of the 58 organizations that participated in Give Fest on Friday. Fifth graders visiting the event and could play plinko with Bill Ring, interim executive director and other volunteers. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays PostA student pets the Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services therapy dog, Fonzie, as executive director Jennifer Hecker, right, looks on Friday at Givefest. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays PostFrom left Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County volunteers Joyce Jilg, Marilyn Wood and Elaine Pfannenstiel staff a both at the Heartland Community Give Fest on Friday. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates homes for low-to-moderate income families. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
