Two longtime community leaders and graduates of Leadership Thomas County, Cindy Black and Rick Dickman, recently shared some exciting news: a $10,000 donation has been made to the Kenton Krehbiel All-Inclusive Playground Project, thanks to the funds from Leadership Thomas County.
Cindy, who went through Leadership Thomas County in 1991-1992, and Rick, who followed in 1995-1996, have been committed to community improvement for decades. In fact, they were both part of the founding team behind the Thomas County Community Foundation in 1999.
“Through Leadership, we received an initial $10,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation,” Cindy explained. “That was just the beginning. Over time, with community matching funds, fundraising, and additional grants, we brought in over three-quarters of a million dollars to get the foundation off the ground.”
That early support from the Kansas Health Foundation eventually grew into two permanently endowed funds, totaling over $375,000, which generate annual interest. Each year, a portion of those earnings is given back to the community for projects just like the Kenton Krehbiel Playground.
“The $10,000 we’re giving today comes from Leadership Thomas County and those funds,” Cindy said. “We are very proud to do that.”
A Playground That Brings Everyone Together
Rick Dickman, also representing the Colby Kiwanis Club, emphasized the impact the playground will have — not just for Colby, but for the entire northwest Kansas region.
“It’s going to be a draw for the whole area,” he said. “You can come down to Villa High Park and see people eating lunch all the time. This just adds to that. And after the city redid the pond, the old playground really needed a facelift. You can only paint over rust so many times.”
The Kenton Krehbiel Playground is designed to be completely inclusive, ensuring children of all abilities can enjoy it. Rick said inclusiveness is a core value of both Kiwanis and Leadership Thomas County — making this project a perfect fit for support.
Even the recreation company involved in the project has taken notice — they plan to promote Colby’s success nationwide as an example of a strong community-driven effort.
Construction Timeline and Fundraising Update
The playground equipment is already arriving, and the official groundbreaking is scheduled for March 21, with construction tentatively beginning around April 1, weather permitting.
“We’re so close to the finish line,” Rick added. “We’ve raised nearly $500,000 in less than a year. If anyone out there can help us push through the final stretch, we’d be incredibly grateful.”
Want to Help?
If you’re interested in supporting the Kenton Krehbiel All-Inclusive Playground, there are several ways to get more information or donate:
Colby Kiwanis Website – https://k06149.site.kiwanis.org/
Thomas County Community Foundation
Kenton Krehbiel Playground Website – A dedicated site with updates, donation options, and more.
This is more than a playground — it’s a place where every child can play, connect, and belong. NWKS Radio is proud to celebrate community projects like this and the leaders who make them possible.
For more local stories and community updates, keep checking back at NWKSRADIO.NET!
*Picture above with Rick Dickman, Cindy Black, and Sheila Krehbiel. Picture below courtesy of Krehbiel All Inclusive Playground Facebook page
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