News
Salute to Women Warriors Walks a New Path
March 11, 2021
Central Community College’s annual Salute to Women Warriors scholarship fundraiser has a much different look this year.
For the first time, CCC’s Veterans and Military Resource Center (VMRC) and the CCC Foundation are presenting the annual event in a virtual format. The fundraiser honors past and present women who served in the U.S. military. The focus is to inspire and empower a traditionally underserved population through education and community involvement.
All proceeds go to the Women Veterans Scholarship in honor of Wilma Kellogg, a Palmer native who served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a nurse. She and traveled to England with the General Hospital Unit, which followed their soldiers to France, Belgium and Germany. Kellogg was decorated with and EAME Theatre Ribbon, a Bronze Battle Star, two Overseas Bars and the Victory Medal. She retired as a VA hospital nurse after 28 years and currently resides at the VA home in Kearney.
In past years, Salute to Women Warriors was a one-night event with a banquet and silent auction. This year, due to COVID, the event is over a month long and consists of a virtual walk-a-thon and online auction.
The walk-a-thon started on February 19 and is being hosted by the VMRC and Kellogg’s daughter, Chris Wissing, who is walking 100 laps around a part of Indian Bayou near her home in Florida.
The original goal was to have participants walk or run a combined 100 miles by March 19, which is Kellogg’s 100th birthday. However, event organizers say some have already surpassed the 100 miles and are now looking to walk 1,000 miles for Wilma and every woman who has ever served or is currently serving in the military.
Walkers and runners are invited to post their daily mileage on the Salute to Women Warriors Facebook group. The top two contributors will be awarded prizes for their support. To join in the walk-a-thon and post daily mileages, click here.
Wissing points out that participating in the walk-a-thon is only one way to honor her mother.
“Consider performing 100 acts of kindness, sharing 100 cookies, donating to the scholarship, or sending a card to Wilma,” Wissing said.
The online auction opens at 8 a.m. on March 19 and ends at 5 p.m. on March 26. Some of the auction items include club level tickets to a Nebraska football game, a spa package, and a Bearded Buffalo Golf package. Additional auction items are being added daily and are highlighted on the Facebook group. To access the auction site, click here.
Those wishing to donate to the Women’s Veterans Scholarship fund directly can do so at the CCC Foundation website.
“We know that this incredible event and its generous supporters make a lasting difference on students’ educational pursuits,” said Jessica Rohan, CCC Foundation development director. “The event this year is especially exciting as it supports veterans at CCC and also honors Wilma Kellogg’s 100th birthday.”