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History of the Sandhills Area Foundation

The Sandhills Area Foundation (SAF) is a public charity whose mission is to financially support area development and to accept and administer funds that meet the present and future needs of Cherry County residents. Our purpose is to provide funding for scholarships, as well as social, charitable and educational projects that encourage community involvement and promote charitable giving.

The Sandhills Area Foundation has been in existence since 1996, after a seed was planted by Cal Robinson of North Platte, when he spoke at a Valentine Rotary meeting in the spring of 1996.

Bob Gustafson and Jan Lallman, co-chairman, created a committee of Bill Quigley, Lew Johnson, Mary Young, Frank Sibert and Kay Wells, and they began the work of creating SAF. The first president was Bob Gustafson, Kay Wells was the first secretary, and Mary Young was the first treasurer.

In October 1996, Bob and Mary Kay Gustafson, Curtis and Mary Young, and Carl and Kay Wells became the first lifetime members by giving $2,000 each. These funds were used to start the work of the Foundation.

Jr. Bloom made a bequest of $500,000 to the Foundation’s endowment in 2003. Jr's request was to use the income from his contribution to support the scholarship program. Gerald and Norma Jean Keech, Mary Young, the Floyd Bryant family, Dr. James and Karen Butler, Dr. Tom Green and Bob and Jan Bass have also contributed significantly to the scholarship program, and the first scholarships were awarded to three high school students in 1999.

In 1999, Frank and Shirley Sibert made a generous donation of $100,000 which was used to fund the grant program.

SAF relies on donations and the annual fundraisers to meet the needs of Cherry County. Your support is vital to our mission and supports the work we do on behalf of students and nonprofits in Cherry County.

Since its inception, The Sandhills Area Foundation has proudly supported the Kilgore Fire Department, Valentine Fire Department, Cody Volunteer Fire Department, Cub Scouts, Valentine Library, Valentine ball fields, TeamMates, Badger Boosters, American Legion Baseball, Valentine Junior Wrestling Club, Valentine EMTs, Sparks Cemetery, the Valentine Senior Center, Old Settlers Reunion, Valentine Players, Sandhills Leadership, Pineview, Valentine High School, Cherry County Ambulance Service, Mid-Plains Community College, Frederick Peak Golf Course, Centennial Hall Museum, Valentine Rotary Club, Cherry County Veterans Memorial and others.