In December 2024, the Red Cloud Community Fund (RCCF) awarded a $19,000 grant to the Webster County Community Hospital Foundation (WCCHF). The grant will help pay for expenses related to the installation of a brand new air conditioning system at the Heritage of Webster County Nursing Home. A need for the new system became evidence once WCCHF took ownership of the nursing facility in the Spring of 2024. All told, around $94,000 of funds raised jointly by RCCF and WCCHF were used to pay for the new system. 

RCCF and WCCHF announced a 3 year $750,000 fundraising campaign in April 2024 to help stave off the closure of the nursing home. Since that time, the Webster County Community Hospital has taken over operations of the facility and has helped right the ship. The amount of residents has increased and employees are being cross-trained and utilized at both the nursing home and the hospital. Because of these positive developments, RCCF and WCCHF were able to consider improvements to the facility itself, especially long deferred maintenance concerns. 

As of January 11, 2025, RCCF and WCCHF have raised $396,395 which is 53% of the $750,000 goal. While the nursing home is doing well at present, the long-term threat to the continued existence of the facility in Red Cloud has not subsided due to a variety of factors facing most rural healthcare facilities and nursing homes in particular. If you would like to help please consider making a donation at https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/red-cloud-community-fund/. You can learn more about the project and watch a video about fundraising efforts here: https://www.nebcommfound.org/news/red-cloud-builds-on-its-heritage/.