A Trip to Remember: Second Graders Pay It Forward

When the second grade teachers at Fillmore Central needed help making a memorable learning experience possible for their students, they turned to Geneva Gives—and the community stepped up.

They requested funding for their class field trip to Morrill Hall, a state-of-the-art museum known for its paleontological collections at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Established in 2023, Geneva Gives is a nonprofit organization and affiliated fund of the Fillmore County Foundation. Its mission is to provide financial support to help young individuals participate in meaningful activities and experiences that enrich their lives.

Thanks to community support, the students were able to enjoy a day full of interactive learning and fun — learning about Nebraska’s past and present biological diversity, touring Elephant Hall that houses the world's largest articulated fossil Columbian mammoth, exploring the hands-on Science Exploration Zone, and the onsite Mueller Planetarium.

To show their appreciation, the entire class wrote heartfelt thank-you notes to Geneva Gives. One student, Kash Krupicka, went above and beyond by donating $20 of his own money to give back to the organization. Lucas Swartzendruber awarded Krupicka with a Certificate of Appreciation for his kindness and generosity.

Fellow Second Grader, Dylan Hammer, also showed her thanks with a hand-drawn picture about their visit to the planetarium. 

Moments like these remind us why we love what we do. Thank you, Fillmore Central 2nd Graders, for your kindness, generosity, and joyful spirit!

The Fillmore County Foundation is dedicated to the future, honoring the pioneer spirit, by encouraging donations for social, cultural and educational progress in Fillmore County. It is a non-profit corporation Incorporated June 27, 1983, and a qualified 501(c)3 charitable organization.