Connecting Our Community to What's Next

Hometown Highlights brought community leaders, nonprofit partners, and local supporters together to wrap up the summer with a look at the exciting events, programs, and growth happening across Hall County.

Hosted by the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, Hometown Highlights is an opportunity to learn directly from the people helping shape our community, and to discover new ways to get involved, support local organizations, and make a difference.

At our latest gathering, attendees heard updates from Grand Island Nebraska Tourism, Legacy Station, Habitat for Humanity, and Women Who Care. Topics included new events coming to Grand Island, new programming in Wood River, the Ziller Acres development, volunteer opportunities, and ways women are coming together to make a difference.

Celebrating Grand Island as a Destination

Brad Mellama, executive director of Grand Island Nebraska Tourism, shared more than 75 photos highlighting events around Grand Island, from Stuhr Museum’s 4th of July celebration and LOVB professional volleyball to the 4th Street Festival and Husker basketball coming to town. He also announced that Grand Island is being considered to host a fireworks convention in 2028, which could bring more than 2,000 visitors to the community. Mellama also highlighted the importance of the annual crane migration and the visitors it brings from around the world.

Creating Connections in Wood River

Legacy Station in Wood River is Nebraska’s first multi-generational community center of its kind. The facility brings together a food pantry, senior center, library, and the adjacent Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center to provide connected services for the community.

Building Homes and Opportunity

Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Lindsey Jurgens shared updates on the new Ziller Acres development, which will provide additional land for future homes. Habitat plans to dedicate its 125th home this year and build three additional homes next year.

Women Coming Together to Give Back

Erin Marsh shared updates on Women Who Care Hall County, a new giving circle that meets four times a year. At its first meeting, members donated more than $15,000 to the Hall County Historical Foundation. The organization gives local women an opportunity to nominate and vote on nonprofits to support while coming together to make a difference in the community.

Connecting People to Possibility

From new events and tourism opportunities to innovative community spaces, new homes, and collective giving, this Hometown Highlights gathering offered a glimpse into the many ways people are working to make Hall County a stronger place to live, work and grow.

That's what makes Hometown Highlights so valuable: it connects our community to the people, organizations, and ideas creating positive change, and gives all of us a chance to see where we can play a part.

Thank you to our presenters, attendees, and Allen Capital Group/Unity Eye Centers for helping make the evening a success.