The Dawes County Honor Guard and the Chadron Sharks were awarded this year’s 100 Women Who Care About Chadron grants.
The Dawes County Honor Guard was selected by the group’s membership to receive the $10,000 grant, which will be put toward new uniforms for the 18 members. The organization was nominated for the award by 100 Women member and Chadron Chamber Director Gabby Michna. The Dawes County Honor Guard performs military funeral honors, three services on Memorial Day, July 4 services at Flag Butte, four Veterans Day ceremonies and posts the colors at events such as Girls on the Run, the annual 4-H banquet and home football games at Chadron High.
The Chadron Sharks will receive the second-place grant award, in an amount yet to be determined. Alyssa Peters nominated the group, noting that the team has tripled its roster to 70 in recent years. The Sharks have also purchased an electronic timing system and starting blocks for the Chadron Area Aquatic and Wellness Center and will use the grant to host its first two-day meet. The event will bring an economic boost to the community as families of more than 100 swimmers will attend the meet, Peters said.
The 100 Women Who Care About Chadron group has awarded just under $70,000 in funding in six years. Each year the members nominate local non-profits and vote on which organizations to fund.
In addition to the Dawes County Honor Guard and the Chadron Sharks, three other organizations were nominated for the 2023 award cycle.
Camp Norwesca pitched its scholarship program to the group, noting that attending camp can have positive benefits on kids’ mental and physical health. The scholarship program helps economically disadvantaged students be able to attend.
Northwest Community Action Partnership detailed its various services to the community, focused on alleviating poverty, including serving children with Early Head Start and Head Start. The agency also offers emergency services regarding homelessness, rent, utilities and food and runs the RSVP volunteer program. Additional funding would be used to fill the gaps in programs when federal funding runs out.
Finally, the Honor Flight program, which has sent regional veterans to Washington D.C. to view their memorials since 2012, was nominated. The program pays for the veterans’ trip in its entirety.