The Rainbow Communicaitons Community Grant program is awarded annual to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural Northeast Kansas.

Sabetha Community Preschool is a community-based program that is housed in a shared, public building. The community preschool does not receive federal funding andrelies on fundraising and tuition to pay teacher salaries and upgrade the space as needed. Rainbow’s $5,000 grant will be used to fund an upgrade to the doors to be steel and key card access. This will offer much better safety for the children and peace of mind for the parents as they send their children to school.

The Rainbow Communicaitons Community Grant program is awarded annual to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural Northeast Kansas.

K-State Extension and Research recently built a new 7200-square-foot office and public meeting room complex in Seneca. Rainbow’s $5,000 grant is going to help fund an 85” digital screen wall mounted for the conference room and a 75” digital screen wall mounted for board room. This grant will also fund other items like tables and chairs for the public meeting room.

The Rainbow Communicaitons Community Grant program is awarded annual to support local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural Northeast Kansas.

The City of Denton will be awarded $10,000 to upgrade its park equipment. The items
they currently have are unsafe and beyond repair. The proposed new structure will take minimal
maintenance for the years to come, so this project is sustainable for many years. The park is next to the community building which has a Rainbow hotspot, accessible at the park.

The Northeast Kansas Arts Foundation held a "Morning  of Christmas Caroling" for children, up through 8th grade to join and spread Christmas cheer to the care homes in Seneca.

They met at the SPPS music room Saturday morning, December 16th wearing festive hats and shirts! Jingle Bells and carols were provided for the children to use. And a treat was provided for those participating.

“With the fund agreement signed, the new Northeast Kansas Arts Foundation Fund will be a fantastic addition to Nemaha County,” shared Tory Jost, STEP Executive Director. Jost emphasized “The STEP Foundation now has 31 funds which truly Strive to Ensure Progress (STEP). The mission of the Northeast Kansas Arts Foundation Fund is to build a Fine and Performing Arts Center in Nemaha County to foster enrichment, appreciation, and involvement with the arts. Thanks to a recently completed STEP grant, the Northeast Kansas Arts Foundation has new portable sound equipment which will be a huge help for the upcoming April play.” Pictured Left to Right: Ellie Haynie, NE Kansas Arts Foundation President; Tory
Jost, STEP Executive Director; and Marceil Hasenkamp, STEP President.

Earlier this year, a group of 1st students adopted Crestview Park as a community service project to show good citizenship in their community.  The students were recognized this week by HP&R director Stacy Jasper and given the title "Blue Crew" for their commitment taking pride in their community.

The Kansas 4-H Key Award is a program of distinction. Since 1952 this award has been presented to only the finest 4-H Members in recognition of outstanding achievement. It is reserved for approximately the top 1% of the total 4-H Membership in Kansas.

Pictured are Parry Briggs, Farm Credit Representative; John Langill, Pony Express; Dane Haverkamp, Pony Express; Alex Rowland, Red Rustlers; Katie Tangeman, HHHH; and Ryan Uphaus, HHHH

The Nemaha County STEP Foundation is excited to announce collaboration with the Seneca Knights of Columbus. The new Seneca Knights of Columbus Improvement fund will be utilized for capital improvements, including the upcoming remodel of the building as well as for programs. Knights Mike Steinlage and Leon Haverkamp are pictured with STEP Board President Marceil Hasenkamp. Leon Haverkamp also serves as Secretary of the STEP Foundation.

Several students at USD 338 Valley Falls were recently recognized by the USDA. The students won the Kansas State on a Plate recipe challenge. The recipies the students created are currently being vetted by the USDA and will be included in school lunch and snack programs across the country. The two recipies the created are: Kansas Granola - This recipie was developed by Valley Falls high school students which includes roasted soybeans and wheat as local ingredients, as oats fit for human consumption are hard to locally source to scale in Kansas. Berry Delicious - This is an applesauce mixture that included aronia berries (also known as chokeberries).

A group of 5th Graders at Doniphan West learned the importance of budgeting while also helping those in need in their community! 

The students raised $2,111.82 to help purchase Christmas presents for the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department’s Christmas Drive. The students were divided into teams and learned about budgeting their money to buy items at Walmart and the importance of raising money for an important cause. The Sheriff’s Department came to the school, and the students helped load their vehicles with gifts.

Great Job Mustang 5th Graders!

The Kansas 4-H Key Award is a program of distinction. Since 1952 this award has been presented to only the finest 4-H Members in recognition of outstanding achievement. It is reserved for approximately the top 1% of the total 4-H Membership in Kansas.

Pictured are Parry Briggs, Farm Credit Representative; John Langill, Pony Express; Dane Haverkamp, Pony Express; Alex Rowland, Red Rustlers; Katie Tangeman, HHHH; and Ryan Uphaus, HHHH