Salvation Army

“2016 found The Hastings Salvation Army in need of exterior basement wall work as we were getting water into the basement.  To repair this problem it was determined that we needed to remove our existing handicap ramp from the west side of the building. When we were trying to get the necessary funds for the repairs and to build a new ADA approved ramp, we turned to The Hastings Community Foundation. Without their help we would not have the beautiful new ADA approved ramp to make our building better equipped for walkers and wheelchairs.”

– Dale Brandenburg Major, Corps Officer

Adams County Teen Court

Teen Court is based on the Restorative Justice Model which seeks to redirect a youth’s behavior and attitude toward positive changes while emphasizing the need for the youth to repair the harm their behavior caused to themselves, their victim and community. Youthful offenders, called Respondents, admit their guilt and come before a jury of their peers who listen to information about the offense. The youth jury deliberates and then issues fair and appropriate sanctions for the respondent youth. Within this model, the jury, the attorneys and the bailiff are all volunteer teen peers and the judge is a volunteer adult.

“Financial support from the Hastings Community Foundation allowed us to have a webpage designed and launched. Having a presence on the internet is essential for the dissemination of correct and timely information and it has allowed us to build our program.”

– Jamie Vetter, Executive Director

Special Needs Fall Festival

The Evangelical Free Church is the venue for this yearly event, which is always held the Friday before Halloween. Last year, over 500 people attended. The Hastings Community Foundation grant provided for the purchase of some games/supplies/special needs equipment that are used to help special needs participants with eye hand coordination, textile touching, speech therapy, fine and gross motor skills, all while having fun. Materials purchased in the past include a floor piano, finger paints, bubble machine, sand, and play dough. Additionally, the games and materials are shared with other organizations/events such as the Hastings Public Schools and National Adoption Day.

A staff person shared this reaction from one of the special needs participants who attended the Festival:

“John told me that he loves coming to the event because he gets to hang out with people just like him and have fun. He shared that his disability check just barely covers his basic needs and this is the only event he can come to that is free and get to have all kinds of events and excitement. John stated a lot of people get scared around people like him and sometimes he feels that no one sees him. But at this event he is seen, heard, feels accepted and not judged.

“Thank you Hastings Community Foundation for funding this unique event for families. John is just one story of many that have been touched by the Special Needs Fall Festival.”

Aquacourt Waterpark Scholarships

What better way to cool off on a hot summer day than a run through the water playground, a dip in the wave pool or a leisurely ride down the lazy river! To make sure all kids get to participate, the Hastings Community Foundation funds scholarships for low-income families.

Mission of Mercy

Hundreds of people lined up for hours outside the Mission of Mercy dental clinic in Grand Island, waiting for the no-cost dental care provided on a first-come, first-served basis. In 2017, MOM provided free dental services to 1290 area residents valued at $764,462.

85 dentists donated their services, many of them bringing their office staff and personal office supplies to help make the event a great success. Nearly 900 other volunteers helped with the event, including a young boy who had received treatment on Friday and returned Saturday to see if he could volunteer. He was given a volunteer t-shirt and helped with the clean up procedures!

The generous contribution for the Hastings Community Foundation has added to the improved health of many of our neighbors and friends. I am hopeful the foundation will respond in a similar manner when Mission of Mercy returns to central Nebraska.