Local Red Cross chapter holds annual meeting Saturday at Fort Hays State University

 Multiple awards were presented at the annual meeting of the American Red Cross of Central and Western Kansas on Saturday, June 8. Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation and Eagle Communications, and Dane G. Hansen Foundation were presented the American Red Cross Spirit of Philanthropy Award, which award honors corporate partners or organizations who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to philanthropy through financial support, employee engagement and/or participation in delivery of the Red Cross Mission.

Spirit of Philanthropy Award

Winner: Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation and Eagle Communications

When catastrophic flooding hit central Nebraska this March, Eagle Communications employee-owners went into action — both in the field during recovery efforts and over the airwaves collecting money for the American Red Cross. $16,515.12 was donated to the American Red Cross to aid recovery efforts in the Midwest. The donation also included a generous contribution from the Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation. Besides the cash donation, Eagle employee-owners put in countless hours working to restore critical broadband services in the flooded region. Crews quickly restored services to the community of Silver Creek, where a washed-out bridge cut the fiber-optic network. 

Winner: Dane G. Hansen Foundation

The charitable foundation has a mission to improve the quality of life for the residents and the communities in the 26 counties that make up the northwest quarter of Kansas. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation has been generous supporter of the American Red Cross especially with our fleet vehicles and to the Northwest Kansas community through various scholarships and grants.