$10K Gift in Erika Schmidt’s Memory to Upgrade PAC Sound System

By Allison Peck

$10,000 Giving Day Gift to the Prairie Arts Center in memory of Erika Schmidt. Volunteer Barbara Planansky, Board President Kendall King, Exec Dir Holly Carlini, Ken Anderson, Carolyn Anderson, V. Pres. Marissa Ramos, Board Memenr Jessica Lawrence, Events Coor Janee” Elfeldt and creative Assoc Chloe Bearkiller

A $10,000 donation made in memory of a North Platte woman will help fund a long-needed upgrade at the Prairie Arts Center, with the impact expected to reach nearly every event held in the facility.

Carolyn and Ken Anderson donated the funds in honor of their daughter, Erika Schmidt. The gift will be submitted as part of North Platte’s Giving Day and matched by an anonymous donor, doubling the contribution.

The funds will go toward installing a new sound and speaker system on the first floor of the Prairie Arts Center. According to the organization, the upgrade will support readings, concerts, speakers, weddings, and other events held in the building’s marble hall and gallery.

In a statement, Erika’s mother described the donation as “a bittersweet moment” for the family as they continue to honor her memory. Schmidt was born and raised in North Platte, later moving away before returning to the community a little over three years ago.

$10,000 Giving Day Gift to the Prairie Arts Center in memory of Erika Schmidt.  Exec Dir Holly Carlini, Ken Anderson, Carolyn Anderson, V. Pres. Marissa Ramos — $10,000 Giving Day Gift to the Prairie Arts Center in memory of Erika Schmidt. Exec Dir Holly Carlini, Ken Anderson, Carolyn Anderson, V. Pres. Marissa Ramos

“During her years in NP, Erika became friends with Holly and really enjoyed taking classes offered at the Prairie Art Center,” her mother said. “She and I shopped for my Mother’s Day gift here last year.”

The decision to fund a sound system carried special meaning for the family.

“Anyone who knew Erika knew she was a chatter box… I say when she was born, she came out ‘crying’ and never stopped talking,” her mother said. “The other reason this sound system resonated with me is because of Erika’s substantial hearing loss. People need to be able to hear! I think Erika is smiling at this decision.”

Schmidt died late last year after complications from Influenza A.

Prairie Arts Center representatives said the donation will help fulfill a long-standing need.

“This generous gift in our friend Erika’s name will allow something that PAC has needed for years — providing a much needed sound system in our marble hall and gallery for community speakers, events, weddings, concerts, creating endless possibilities for the arts center,” the organization said in a statement. “We are honored and humbled to receive this donation that will also be doubled on Giving Day.”

Organizers say the upgrade will expand opportunities for programming and improve the experience for attendees, while also serving as a lasting tribute to Schmidt’s love for the arts and the North Platte community.