Women Who Care – Hall County Awards Preliminary $17,500 Grant to Stick Creek Kids

Listen to an interview with Mac Whitlow.

Hall County, NE — Nearly 200 women came together for the second quarterly meeting of Women Who Care – Hall County, where members learned about local organizations serving children and families before collectively selecting Stick Creek Kids in Wood River as the recipient of a preliminary $17,500 grant—surpassing the $15,300 grant awarded at the group’s inaugural meeting in May.
 
Stick Creek Kids was presented by Board Chair Blaire Dreessen, who shared the organization’s mission of providing high-quality childcare in a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

“Seeing the women rally around Stick Creek Kids and believe in all we are working to accomplish was encouraging,” Dreessen said. “The women’s generosity and enthusiasm reminded me that we are not doing this important work alone, and that our Hall County community cares about the future of its children.”

Stick Creek Kids opened its doors in 2021 and continues to work to provide quality early childhood care to families in the region. The Women Who Care grant will support staff training and supplies while creating additional opportunities and enriching experiences for children and families.

“Being awarded this grant will be transformative,” said Bailey Roeder, Director of Stick Creek Kids. “We will be able to invest in our staff through additional training and supplies, while also creating more opportunities and enriching experiences for our current and future families.”

Dreessen said investing in quality childcare has benefits that extend beyond the children receiving care.

“Accessible, high-quality childcare allows parents to work and build stability in their households,” she said. “When you invest in young children, you are investing in stronger families, a stronger workforce, and a stronger community for generations to come.”

The $17,500 grant is a preliminary total. Women Who Care – Hall County members who have not yet submitted their quarterly contribution have until August 21 for their commitment to be included. The final grant amount will be determined after the contribution deadline.

The next Women Who Care – Hall County meeting will be held on November 11, 2026. Women interested in learning more and joining can visit https://www.gicf.org/communities/women-care-hc/

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About the Women Who Care – Hall County
Women Who Care – Hall County is a local giving circle that brings women together to make a collective, immediate impact in the community. Founded in 2026 by a group of Hall County women in partnership with the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, the group meets quarterly to learn about local nonprofits directly from community members and vote on where to award the pooled donations. Stay up to date with Women Who Care – Hall County on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about Women Who Care – Hall County at www.gicf.org/communities/women-care-hc

 
About the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation
The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation was established in 1960 to empower people to turn their passion into purpose by creating legacies that strengthen the future of the communities we serve. Accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, the Foundation manages over $40 million in assets and has helped establish hundreds of charitable funds over the past 65 years. The Foundation serves hundreds of donors annually through individual, family, and corporate legacy funds. Stay updated on the latest happenings at the Foundation on Facebook and other major social media platforms, as well as by subscribing to the newsletter. The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation is located at 1503 W 2nd Street, Grand Island, Nebraska 68801.