It’s fundraising season again, and I wanted to let you know that the Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards will be participating in both the Alma Community Foundation’s Match Day on August 26th and the Wamego Community Foundation Match Day on October 2nd.

Dear Prairie Guards and Friends of the Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie Park, Greetings from the Tallgrass Prairie!

I want to report that our 20th Anniversary Celebration and dedication of the new Park entrance on June 21st was a great success. 100 people, including Mitchell family members, dignitaries, volunteers, donors, and local residents braved the heat and wind to celebrate the Prairie Guards’ accomplishments of the last 20 years.

Wildflower walks, tours of the Mitchell log cabin and a ribbon cutting were features of the day. In the weeks before the event a new Park entrance sign was installed at Mount Mitchell Road, as was additional interpretive and directional signage within the Park.

Local media coverage of the event was extensive. This was a milestone, and we want to thank everyone who has contributed time, money and resources over the years. You should be proud of the Park you have created.
It’s fundraising season again and I wanted to let you know that the Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards will be participating in both the Alma Community Foundation’s Match Day on August 26th and the Wamego Community Foundation Match Day on October 2nd.

We will not be participating in the Emporia Community Foundation’s Match Day this year. We are an all-volunteer organization and due to the time and travel required to participate it wasn’t feasible this year. We hope that those who contributed in the past to the ECF’s Match Day will participate in the Alma or Wamego Match Day events.

Needed funds raised this year will support the Park’s yearly operating expenses, trail improvements, and the continued development of visitor amenities and educational resources.

Here are the ways to donate during the Second Annual Alma Match Day where we could secure $5,000 in matching funds. All donations are fully tax deductible.

• Alma Area Foundation Match Day August 26, 2025
• Ways to give to the Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards

Your donation will support the maintenance and development of the Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie Park and will receive a 50% match on your gift.

Mail a check TODAY to the Alma Area Foundation at P.O. Box 192, Alma, KS 66401

Check must accompany the donation form on this page. Just click on the form to download. Must be postmarked on or before August 26, 2025.

Donate by Donor Advised Fund: Fill out the Match Day Donation Form with your donation preference. Bring in, mail, or email the completed match day donation form to the Alma Area Foundation.

A Gift of Grain donation: Must be arranged prior to Match Day. A gift of grain can be utilized for Match Day giving, but planning ahead is important for the grain producer, grain elevator, and the community foundation.

Donate from an investment account: Must be arranged through your professional advisor prior to Match Day. Donors can use an IRA or other assets such as a 401(k), Keogh, or 403 (b) to make Alma Area Foundation Match Day donations. Your personal tax advisor can help you make this transition prior to August 26, 2025.

Donate by Stock: Must be completed at least one week prior to Match Day. Call the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation office for transfer instructions for your brokerage firm.

Give at the Live Event: at the Alma Community Center from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Come visit with Prairie Guards’ volunteers and board members.

Give Online at: www.ALMAMATCHDAY.com Gifts can be made online from 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 26 until 11:59 p.m. that evening.

Contact Marla or Sally at the GMCF office at 785-587-8995 with any questions you may have.

The attached 2025 “Alma Match Day Donation Form” must be submitted for all types of donations.

Thank you for your support of the Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards and our work at Mount Mitchell

For the Board of the Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards: John Hund, Christy Crenshaw, Bruce Waugh, Kathryn Mitchell Buster, Dr. Brian Peterson, Christian Bishop, Michelle Crisler, and Susan Adams
Michael Stubbs, President