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LODGEPOLE. – The Lodgepole Community Fund (LCF) has successfully raised $20,000 to match the Yanney Challenge issued in 2021.

The Yanney Challenge was offered by the family of former banker E.K. Yanney, a respected businessman and leader in the Lodgepole community. E.K.’s daughters, Mary Jo Klinetobe, Michele Wehbi and Julie Yanney, along with his brother Michael Yanney, offered a $20,000 Challenge Grant to be met one-to-one by LCF. This challenge was meant to honor and memorialize E.K.

Lodgepole Community Fund affiliated with Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) in 2020. The local Fund Advisory Committee is focused on building the unrestricted endowment and raising money for the Panther Activity Center (PAC). The building, which formerly housed the Lodgepole High School, allows for activities in the gymnasium, has a workout center and houses the Village offices.

The unrestricted endowment will serve as a community savings account. The principal will be invested and LCF will receive a payout each year to grant back into the community. The endowment will continue to grow while benefitting the community now and for future generations. Grants have been made to the Lodgepole Depot Museum and the PAC.

“We are so very grateful to the Yanney family for this Challenge. E.K. was the guy that made things happen in Lodgepole,” said Gwen Devie, Chairperson for LCF. “Now the Lodgepole Community Fund along with the VISIONS group, are making things happen in Lodgepole.”

The LCF will be serving food at Old Settlers Days on Saturday, Sept. 3, and they will be hosting a Community Clean- up Day this fall in cooperation with the Village of Lodgepole.

If you are interested in learning more about LCF please contact one of the Fund Advisory Committee members: Gwen Devie, Bill Taylor, Cindy Bondegard, Janet Fox, Gordy Wilkins, Glenda Shellhorn, Laurie Abrams, Terry Christensen, Maryann Dickinson, Dana Hill, Linda Markel and Trinity Oliverius.

About Lodgepole Community Fund

The Lodgepole Community Fund is dedicated to progress and long-term prosperity. A volunteer Fund Advisory Committee works actively to increase charitable giving and award grants to local worthy causes and projects that are addressing emerging needs and future opportunities in our community. Lodgepole Community Fund is an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation. Learn more and support the work of LCF at http://www.nebcommfound.org/give/lodgepole-community-fund.