St. Francis Foundation awards $101,900 to  local fire/rescue and rehab patients

Brad Bell, Foundation Chairman and Melissa Griffith, CHI Health Foundation Director, present Hampton Fire and Rescue representative Dane Schafer a check for $2,000 for replacement helmets and lights.

GRAND ISLAND – This morning, CHI Health St. Francis Foundation awarded $101,900 to 12 local fire and rescue departments and Project Xcite2. The majority of the grant funding was made possible by the Foundation’s annual premier fundraiser–Ticket to Win.

The following first responders received grants totaling $48,900 for the purchase of emergency lifesaving equipment and/or training expenses.

Alda Volunteer Fire Department (Vehicle Extraction Project) $6,000
Aurora Volunteer Fire Department (Personal Protective Turnout Gear) $2,500
Cairo Volunteer Fire Department (Upgrade PPE) $4,000
Chapman Fire & Rescue (Stryker Power Load) $5,000
Dannebrog / Boelus Rescue Squad (Atlas Simulator)  $5,000
GI Fire Department (Lucas Device)  $6,000
GI Rural Fire Department (Wildland Comm. Equipment)  $4,500
Giltner Rural Fire Department (K-12 Rescue Saw) $2,650
Hampton Fire & Rescue (Replacement Helmets & Lights) $2,000
Palmer Volunteer Fire Department (Radio & Compressor Improv.) $3,500
St. Libory EMS (AED Sustainment Program) $4,000
Wood River Fire & Rescue (Stop the Bleed and Burn Kits) $3,750

The hospital’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit received a $53,000 grant for Project Xcite2. The new electrical muscle stimulation technology promotes recovery of the nervous system and improved health and independence for stroke, brain and spinal cord injury patients, including those with Parkinsons and multiple sclerosis.

Since 2017, the CHI Health St. Francis Foundation has awarded over $296,900 in total to local fire and rescue departments for emergency lifesaving equipment and training expenses. Emergency first responders in Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Merrick and Greeley counties are eligible to apply for Ticket to Win grant funding.

“Our community is very fortunate to have dedicated first responders whose actions save lives. Making sure these emergency response workers have the equipment and training they need to do their jobs and serve our communities is one of the ways we give back,” says Foundation Director Melissa Griffith. 

To learn more about the Ticket to Win fundraiser and grant opportunities offered to local fire and rescue departments, contact the Foundation at (308) 398-5400.