“Wow!”  That was the reaction of Mendi Alexander, chairman of the Heartland Community Foundation, when she learned that the Ross and Marianna Beach Foundation, Inc. has awarded HCF $100,000 to establish four new funds.

During a Thursday morning news conference at the Hays Welcome Center, Alexander announced the  earnings from the invested donation will be used to establish four new funds within the HCF.

“First Care Clinic, Heartland Community Theater, Hays Arts Council and the Hays Beautification Committee will have their needs supported for years to come,” she said.

Ross and Mariana Beach lived in Hays for many years.  Ross Beach passed away in 2010.  “The family tradition of supporting good and worth causes…is being continued by Marianna and her three daughters, ” said Alexander.

According to HCF Executive Director Bob Lowen, the Beach gift will be matched with a $35,000 donation from the Kansas Health Foundation, making a total donation of $135,000.  “We now have reached $1 million dollars in endowed funds for HCF, ” he said.

The Heartland Community Foundation was founded in 2007 as an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation  and supports 24 programs and projects in Ellis, Trego and Rooks counties.

See more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.