For Immediate Release
North Platte, Neb. (April 3, 2026)— The Schmidt Foundation, in partnership with Eagle Communications, is donating $5,000 to support recovery efforts following the Cottonwood Fire.
The donation is part of a total $10,000 contribution, with $5,000 designated for Cottonwood Fire relief and an additional $5,000 supporting recovery efforts related to the Morrill Fire.
Funds for the Cottonwood Fire will be distributed through the Mid Plains United Way, assisting individuals and families impacted by the wildfire.
Mid Plains United Way Executive Director Kirsten Parker said the organization is focused on helping residents in the days and weeks following the disaster.
“We’re kind of the cleanup crew… now you have to figure out where do you go from here,” Parker said. “You might need some clean clothes, a place to stay, medications, or help with an insurance deductible. That’s where we can step in.”
Parker said the donation helped launch broader community support efforts, with contributions continuing to grow as recovery needs become clearer.
Eagle Communications representative Lewys Carlini said the donation reflects the mission of the Schmidt Foundation and its founder.
“Bob Schmidt was all about local and all about community,” Carlini said.
The Schmidt Foundation was established by Robert E. Schmidt and Patricia A. Schmidt and continues their legacy of giving back to the communities where Eagle Communications operates. Through ongoing support of local initiatives, education, and nonprofit organizations, the foundation works to improve the quality of life across Nebraska and the surrounding region.
That mission is reflected in Schmidt’s guiding philosophy, “Forward Ever. Backwards Never.”, which continues to shape the foundation’s work in communities across the region.