Despite the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Great Plains Health employees raised $22,547 for Mid-Plains United Way’s Great Plains Health workplace campaign – the largest collective employee donation since 1999 (which is as far back as the organization’s donation tracking system goes for the healthcare facility).
 
With an additional $5,000 match from the hospital, the total amount being donated to Mid-Plains United Way is an impressive $27,547.
 
"The Covid-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges in 2020, among them economic hardship for many,” said Nick McKay, Great Plains Health clinical director of cardiology and Mid-Plains United Way Trustee. “Going into the United Way campaign, I knew this was going to be a difficult year to raise funds. However, the strain put on our community by the pandemic made it more important than ever to help out our Partner Agencies. I am both humbled and proud that my coworkers and Great Plains Health really stepped up and raised $27,547 to donate to the United Way. This is another example of how Great Plains Health continues to support our community."
 
Indeed, fundraising has been difficult for Mid-Plains United Way during the pandemic, leaving it further away from its fundraising goal than in a typical year. And, thus, putting the organization’s promised funding to its 16 partner nonprofits at risk.
 
“Partner Agency grants are awarded prior to the funds being raised, so this is a huge blessing that will help cover our 3^rd quarter payments to partners,” said Alisha Forbes, Mid-Plains United Way executive director. “Our partners have been struggling just as much as we have, so they are really relying on us to pull through for them. This contribution pushes us over that 50% to Goal threshold with $111,041.15 pledged.”
 
The 2020-2021 fundraising goal is $200,000.
 
“Great Plains Health is working everyday inside and outside the hospital to ensure the health and well-being of our community,” said Mel McNea, Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “This year, with Nick leading the employee pledge drive, our employees rose to the challenge that the pandemic lay before us. We are proud to invest in our local United Way and partner agencies to truly improve the lives of many in our community.”
All Mid-Plains United Way partners are local non-profit organizations that focus on improving health, education and/or financial stability in not only Lincoln County, but also 15 additional surrounding counties in West-Central Nebraska. The organization is locally funded, and all donations are invested locally.
 
2020-2021 Partner Agencies: Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center, Community Action Homeless Prevention, Head Start, Lincoln County CASA, Girl Scouts, Community Connections Mentoring, Lutheran Family Services, West Central District Health Department Minority Health Program, Salvation Army, Nebraska Youth Center, Community Connections Substance Abuse Prevention, L2 for Kids, Guardians of the Children, The Connection Homeless Shelter, North Platte Senior Center, North Platte Kids Academy.
 
Donate via website: https://www.midplainsunitedway.com/
Donate via mail: P.O. Box 172, North Platte, NE 69103