SENECA – Wednesday, April 26 at the Seneca auditorium, over 100 residents of Hooker, Logan, McPherson and Thomas counties came to learn about the legacy left by Bob and Susan Childers through the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation ( MNCF) of North Platte.
Bob and Susan married in 1968; the pair first raised cattle and then hogs on a ranch at the intersection of the 4 counties.
Their house was in Thomas, the barn in Hooker, and land in all. Throughout their lives, they were generous contributors to worthy causes. Having no children, they started collaborating with Eric Seacrest, MNCF Executive Director, to leave their legacy to the Sandhills, and not to the government.
Susan died in June of 2019, and Bob a few months later in 2020.
Mr. Seacrest gave a history of the foundation which is celebrating 45 years of charitable impact.
“There are 300 grants we oversee that provide scholarships and fund projects for non-profits. Bob and Susan bequeath $16 million to our foundation, the largest single amount to date. They had stipulations it would go to benefit projects within the four counties.
“They wanted to permanently preserve principle that would generate funding for projects now and in the future. Gifting began in 2020 with $5500 for 2 projects awarded. In 2023 the first 3 months we awarded $73,000. To date, $200,000 has been gifted.”
Seacrest went on to explain that organizations with 501(c)(3) status can go online and apply for funding. He was assisted in answering questions about the foundation after his presentation by MNCF staff and board members, including board president, Joe Staroska. Dan O’Neill, another board member, closed out the day with a tribute in song to the legacy left by Bob and Susan to the tune of Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy.”
Lunch was catered by Gregg and Dawn Mallory, owners of The Chuck Wagon N Jug, Mullen. In his remarks, Seacrest assured the audience that lunch was funded through the administrative funds of the MNCF and not the Childers’ bequeath.
