Community rallies to save BLAST
The Beatrice Educational Foundation (BEF) recently announced its commitment to fight for the future of the BLAST Afterschool Program, which has served Beatrice students for nearly a decade. Rick Haraldson, the CEO of the Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center offered his support, "As the CEO of BCH, I am proud to express our strong support for the BLAST afterschool program in Beatrice. We deeply value the mission of this program and the positive impact it has on the children of our hospital and clinic employees. The BLAST program provides a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for students after school, which in turn supports our staff by giving them peace of mind knowing their children are in good hands. This initiative not only benefits families but also strengthens our community as a whole. We commend the Beatrice Education Foundation for their continued dedication and outstanding work. We encourage you to keep moving forward with this vital program, and we look forward to exploring ways we can collaborate to ensure its continued success." BLAST — which stands for Beatrice Learning After School Time — provides safe, engaging afterschool enrichment for 250 local children, offering academic support, STEM activities, meals, and a supportive environment while parents work.
Although the loss of $175,000 in federal funding has been restored for the 2025-26 school year there is no guarantee funding will continue so BEF is launching an urgent community-wide fundraising campaign to make BLAST sustainable and not depend on government funding in the future.
“We believe in our community and know that Beatrice will stand up for our kids,” said Katie Humble, president of the Board of Directors for the Beatrice Educational Foundation. “We’re asking neighbors, businesses, alumni, and friends to join us now to ensure that 250 students and 21 staff members are not left behind.”
The Foundation voted on July 15 to ensure that BLAST continues to provide vital afterschool care and enrichment for local families.