St. Francis Foundation awards more than $162,000 to local fire/rescue and Baby Bereavement Suite

PHOTO 2: (L to R: Brad Bell, Tesia Gust, Emily Smith, Beth Deida, Jessica Keene, Melissa Griffith and Morgan Rader.) The hospital’s Maternity Center received an $81,311 check from the St. Francis Foundation to create a new Baby Bereavement Suite, a space dedicated to parents grieving the unimaginable loss of a newborn.

GRAND ISLAND – Yesterday, CHI Health St. Francis Foundation awarded more than $162,000 to 17 local fire and rescue departments and will fund a Baby Bereavement Suite at the hospital. A 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 $80,750 for unbudgeted expenses:

Aurora Fire Department (Thermal Camera, Saw, Drill, Light Tower) $5,000
Boelus Fire & Rescue (Thermal Imaging Camera) $3,000
Cairo Fire Department (Wildland Fire PPE) $8,450
Dannebrog Fire & Rescue (Firefighter Gear)  $5,000
Doniphan Fire (Patient Lift) $5,500
GI Fire Department (Dive Rescue Equipment)  $5,000
GI Police Department (Investigative & Surveillance Equipment) $2,500
GI Rural Fire Department (Battery Powered Rescue Ram)  $3,500
Giltner Fire Department (Vehicle Stabilization Struts & Bunker Gear) $8,000
Greeley Rescue Squad (Ambulance Continuing Education) $1,000
Hall County Sheriff’s Office (Life Saving Medical Equipment) $2,000
Hampton Fire & Rescue (Rescue Randy & Vehicle Extrication Ram) $9,800
Palmer Volunteer EMT Squad (Portable State Radio) $3,000
Palmer Vol. Fire Department (SCBA & Air Compressor Improvements) $4,000
St. Libory EMS (AED Additions & Sustainment) $5,000
St. Libory Fire & Rescue (M18 Fuel Tools) $5,000
Wood River Fire & Rescue (Stryker Xpedition Powered Stair Chair) $5,000

Additionally, the hospital’s Maternity Center was awarded a grant of $81,311 to establish a private space dedicated to parents grieving the unimaginable loss of a newborn.

Since 2017, the CHI Health St. Francis Foundation has awarded more than $695,657 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.

“Investing in our local first responders is directly investing in healthier, safer communities. Their dedication is truly life-saving, and we're incredibly grateful for the support Ticket to Win provides each year to empower their crucial work,” 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.