It’s fundraising season.

At least it appears to be in the wake of Northwest College getting shown a record amount of love during its annual Giving Day. And as NWC Foundation Executive Director Shelby Wetzel told trustees during the annual NWC board meeting last week, donations were still rolling in even after the official event wrapped up. 

She said it was a great thing to see so many people donating, which gives the foundation a boost toward fulfilling its promised support for the $23 million student center project as well as supporting other projects on campus. 

Here’s hoping generous area residents who are still able to give are still willing, because two other community mainstays in town are still in need of monetary support for planned projects as they await further word on state funding. 

The Powell Library is still  hopeful to hear from the state on what sort of money it could receive to put toward its plan for an expanded building to better serve the community. A board member noted recently they have been talking with architects on designs, but want to have a clear view of the funding available before they move forward.

The library is an important community spot and is especially useful for students looking for a place to spend time without getting into trouble after school and before parents come home from work. Earlier plans the library board had presented to Park County commissioners boasted a vast amount of extra space, including a whole new children’s area, which would allow for more room for both children and youths stopping by after school, as well as much more space for books and areas to meet. 

While a possible multi-million dollar boost of state funding may still be up in the air, the library is doing fundraisers for the project, including one for adults coming up at the Cody Library they’re hoping could even feature alcoholic beverages if they get approval. 

The Powell Senior Center is also still looking for funds after being denied a grant by the state after the State Loan and Investment Board determined the ARPA funds it had couldn’t be used for senior centers. The organization, which desperately needs an upgrade to its rundown building and envisions a new building near the Rocky Mountain Manor senior living apartments, recently received a $1 million boost from the county. Still, the group is a couple million short of what it is hoping for to make the planned new building a reality. 

The Senior Center,  too,  is still hoping for some sort of state funding to plug a big funding hole, but is also happily taking smaller donations. 

So, if you can, give one or both of these vital community institutions a little boost and bring them a little closer to their goal. 

Donate to the Powell Senior Center by calling 307-754-4223. Make a donation to the Powell Library by calling 307-754-8828.