Home
Keeping kids warm with United Way coat drive
coats

Melissa Garcia, Community Affairs Manager, Nebraska

This October the United Way of the Kearney Area and other local community organizations distributed more than 1,300 coats to keep kids warm this winter.

The need was greater than ever due to financial hardships during the pandemic. Last year the organizations distributed about 400 coats. Volunteers stepped up to more than triple the number given in 2020.

Black Hills Energy employee Laurie Cook serves on the local United Way board and helped organize a safe way to distribute the coats. "Distribution was a little different this year. Instead of kids being able to pick up their own coats, parents had to register early, and coats were chosen based on the requests received and then bundled up per family. Then one person per family came to pick up their items," said Laurie. 

We partner with our communities and customers, providing the kind of energy that fuels those areas and the lives of those we serve. Feel free to share the stories and photos. Make sure to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

group of people in auditorium
Springdale, Arkansas thanks its teachers
The Springdale, Arkansas, Chamber of Commerce held its 57th annual Teacher Appreciation Event in early August. Created as a way to acknowledge and thank Springdale Public Schools’ educators for their work and contributions to the community, the event is the largest of its kind in the nation. More…
group standing in field
Lace up your tennis shoes, Seward is getting a new wellness center in Nebraska
A new wellness center is coming to the growing town of Seward, Nebraska. After conducting community wide research, the City of Seward determined that a wellness center was among the top three things community members needed. The decision to push forward with these findings was then made, and…
men working on buildilng house
There’s no place like home in Nebraska
Habitat for Humanity of Columbus, Nebraska, has partnered with members of their community since 2010. In that time, 14 homes were built for those in need. Our team helped with construction efforts this year during Habitat’s annual Spring Volunteer Day. Those in attendance helped construct a home…
man standing in front of bucket truck
Fourth of July parades in South Dakota
Let’s be honest, we all go to parades for the free candy. Whether you’re taking it from your child or grabbing it off of the sidewalk, know that this past Independence Day our team from South Dakota would have had your sweet tooth covered! During this year’s Independence Day celebration, members…