Western Sky CCC

Community Gathers for 2024 Valentine's Gala

(NOTE: Click on the three "cover photos" to display full albums. One here, then scroll down.) The "Passionate for Progress" Gala brought more than 160 people together for an evening of dining, dancing and fun at the Perkins County Fairgrounds on Feb. 17. A silent auction, live auction and online auction that offered special lodging packages through Travel Pledge supplied laughter, friendly competition and some generous donations to help Western Sky Community Care Center continue working to restore nursing . . .

Gala Sponsors and Donors: 2024 Valentine's Event

Please take a moment to watch this quick slideshow. Then help us to thank these generous sponsors and donors who made the 2024 Valentine's Gala a success. We appreciate your support! 

Auction Review 2024 Valentine's Gala

We invite you to watch this video to review some of the items donated for the 2024 Valentine's Gala. Please help us to thank these generous businesses and individuals!

What is Western Sky Community Care Center?

Western Sky Community Care Center (WSCCC) is a proposed nonprofit skilled nursing home that will be built in Grant, Nebraska. The previous long-term care facility in Grant, Golden Ours Convalescent home, was owned and operated by Perkins County Health Services (PCHS). Golden Ours closed in July 2022, but community members recognized the need for continued nursing home care in Perkins County. Five individuals--Mark and Renae Bottom, Steve and Chris Loeffler, and Genie Bishop--worked closely with PCHS and the Nebraska . . .

Why a nonprofit nursing home?

Western Sky will operate as a nonprofit, skilled nursing facility. This model gives us the flexibility to give back to our residents, staff, and community, rather than seeing profits leave the county with outside ownership by investors. As a nonprofit, Western Sky will be free to: • Focus on investing money in resident care rather than increasing profit margins for individual owners. • Direct resources to our employees, in order to recruit and retain excellent staff. • Reinvest money in community betterment . . .

A Philosophy of Management

Western Sky has consulted with Senior Insight's Tim Groshans, an RN and former resident of Perkins County who has more than 20 years of ground-up experience in nursing home care, culminating in administation. Tim's first nursing home job was at Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant, where he discovered a passion for elder care that has continued to guide his professional life. As a nursing home administrator, he promotes a management style that treats residents and staff with consideration, respect, and dignity. Once . . .

2024 Progress Update

With the help of our supporters in the Perkins County community and beyond, 2023 was a year of tremendous progress in the effort to restore nursing home care to our community. Here are some of the important steps we've taken: • Obtained our own 501(c)3 tax exempt status as an independent nonprofit organization. • Received USDA approval of our market study and architectural plan for a 40-bed skilled nursing home facility. • Submitted our feasibility study and Phase I and II Environmental studies to . . .

Jul 15, 2024

Town Hall Meeting July 25

We invite you to come to our town hall meeting on July 25, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Perkins County Fairgrounds. Our consultant Tim Groshans from Burwell and USDA Representative Sara Pierce from North Platte will be there to offer updates and answer your questions. The USDA has obligated $13.9 million for the Western Sky project. This is an exciting step forward. With terms of 3.5% for 40 years, the pieces are now in place for us to move onward, but we need your help! The USDA considers Western Sky a "startup" and has required . . .

Early Progress Timeline

Where are we on our journey toward restoring nursing home care to Perkins County? During 2022, we accomplished these tasks: • Purchased 50 nursing home bed licenses • Formed Western Sky Community Care Center (A Nebraska nonprofit) • Secured 8 acres of land and $60,000 start-up funds from Perkins County Health Services • Hired Senior Insight consultant Tim Groshans • Initiated market / feasibility studies, USDA loan application for construction, initiated 501(c)(3) application • Secured a . . .

Pancake feed & auction Oct. 5

The Grant Lions and Rotary clubs are hosting a Pancake Feed for Western Sky from 5:30 to 7:30 on Oct. 5 at the Perkins County Fairgrounds. Auction begins at 7 p.m. Some items available: • 2001 Ford Expedition, mint condition with 19,395 miles (Reserve priced) • Two 1996 $50 gold coins (Reserve $2,500 each) • Two UNL football tickets • Eight beef bundles donated by the Wilson family • Four pork bundles donated by the Burge family • Baskets of garden produce • . . .

UPDATE: USDA Obligates Funds for WSCCC

The USDA has obligated $13.9 million for construction of Western Sky Community Care Center in Grant. The terms are favorable at 3.5% for 40 years. Because the USDA considers Western Sky a "startup," they are requiring additional cash-on-hand reserves to ensure our operational success. We need a total of $3.1 million in order to begin construction. We have $2.2 million now. (This number reflects our expenses over the past two years. We also have pledges of $170,000 that cannot be counted as cash-on-hand . . .

How can I help?

If you want to see nursing home care restored to Perkins County, here are some ways to get involved: VOLUNTEER Reach out by sending us a message on our website or FB page DONATE There are many ways to contribute: • Cash or check • Pledge over time (months / years) • 401K disbursements • Vehicle or land sales • Estate settlements • Gifts of grain / livestock • Events organized by your club or group • Matching fund challenges WHERE TO DONATE? • Make . . .

WESTERN SKY in the NEWS

Click on these links to read about the journey of Western Sky Community Care Center. NURSING HOME IN GRANT TO CLOSE JULY 15 ELDER CARE LLC MOVES FORWARD June 27, 2022 ELDER CARE LLC CONTINUES GROUNDWORK   TOWN HALL MEETING DRAWS 150 PC HEALTH SERVICES EXTENDS GROUND, MONEY TOWN HALL PROVIDES VISION FOR NEW NURSING HOME ASSISTANCE FROM BURWELL FACILITY