Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation
785-772-5124
CHEYENNE COUNTY KANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
About Our Board
The CCKCF Board Members are people from the Cheyenne County community who care about the future of our communities. If you are interested in volunteering for CCKCF, talk with any board member or email us at [email protected].
Board Members
Amy Hendricks
Board Chair
Cheyenne County is a wonderful place to settle down and raise a family and I am proud to call this place my home. I want to give back to my community by investing in our county's future and I hope to do so by being on the CCKCF board. Careful planning and building a strong foundation now can help make a bright future for all of Cheyenne County and its residents.
Annette Schultz
Vice Chair
I have always been inspired by those who generously give their time, talents, and resources to help communities thrive. Cheyenne County is a place I’m proud to call home. Our close-knit spirit and shared values make it truly special. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to our county’s continued growth and success, and to serve the people who make it such a great place to live!
Betty Petersen
Secretary/Treasurer
Cheyenne County has been home for nearly 40 years. Opportunities in Cheyenne County are endless, and with the help of the foundation, great things are happening. Being a part of a vision to secure the future and to help the communities prosper is a rewarding experience. I appreciate the opportunity to assist in the development of Cheyenne County.
Mila Bandel
CCKCF is an organization dedicated to its community, and I am truly excited to serve on the board. I look forward to bringing community involvement, strong leadership, enthusiasm, and a deep sense of pride to my role. I am committed to helping uphold the organization’s values and making a meaningful impact for those we serve.
Tim Burr
I was approached about being on the foundation board, and the timing and the situation seemed right for me. I believe we have all the qualities to contribute back to our communities, and this is an opportunity for me to do so.
Mackenzie Lampe
I’m a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the owner of REVIVE Performance + Rehab, where I focus on helping people move well, stay strong, and live active lives. I’m passionate about rural healthcare and creating access to services that support prevention, performance, and long-term wellness — not just injury care. I also helped start Little Tribe Childcare because I saw firsthand how essential strong family support systems are to the health of a community. Access to childcare isn’t just convenient — it’s foundational for working families and local businesses. I chose to serve on the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation board because I believe thriving communities are built intentionally. In a small town, the decisions we make and the initiatives we support truly shape the future. I’m honored to contribute my perspective as a healthcare provider, small business owner, and community builder to help strengthen opportunities for local families for years to come.
Kelley Milliken
Having grown up in Cheyenne County, I believe it is my resposibiltiy to help others see the potential and benefits to rural living. Watching my parents involvement in the community and with the foundation has been inspiring and I want to continue the progress that has been made as well as look toward the possibilities that can be made possible in Cheyenne County. It truly is a great place to be!
Cliff Leach
Having grown up in Cheyenne County and returned "home", I want to do my part to encourage the next generation to return "home". I feel CCKCF will play an important role in making Cheyenne County a "home" to come back to!
Michael Raile
I am excited to be a part of CCKCF because it is meaningful way to give back and help strengthen the community care about. I'm looking forward to supporting local initiatives, collaborating with others who are passionate about making a difference, and contributing to the long-term well-being and growth to the area.
Keshia Walden
Being born and raised in Northwest Kansas, I understand the importance of supporting and sustaining our rural communities. Having called Cheyenne County home for the past seven years, I am eager to give back by serving on the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation board. I look forward to helping our community continue to thrive and honoring the dedication of those who have worked so hard to make Cheyenne County what it is today.
Staff/ Junior Board
Jessica Matthies
Staff
I have had the privilege of serving as the Executive Director of the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, since 2021. What started as an opportunity to be involved has grown into a true passion for the work we do and the people we serve. Cheyenne County is special because of its people. It’s a place where neighbors show up, where ideas turn into action, and where community truly means something. I love being part of a county that believes in supporting one another and investing in its future. In my role, I have the opportunity to connect donors, organizations, and community members in ways that create lasting impact. Whether it’s helping someone start a fund, supporting a local project, or working alongside our youth, I am continually inspired by the generosity and heart of this community. I am grateful every day to do this work and to be part of something bigger—helping Cheyenne County grow, thrive, and continue to be a place we are all proud to call home.
Emily Serrano
Junior Board
Cheylin
I have lived in Bird City my whole life. This is my first year interning at the foundation, and it is also my second year as a Junior Board Member. I love playing sports, traveling, hanging out with friends, and most importantly, spending time with family. I am currently a Senior at Cheylin High School. I have enjoyed my time working at the foundation. I have learned many new things and connected with my community on a different level. I am grateful to have grown up in a loving and supportive community like ours.
Bella Bandel
Junior Board
SFCHS
This year I began my freshman year at St. Francis Community High School. I am involved in numerous activities, both at school and in my community. I participate in volleyball, basketball and track. In band I play the flute and recently participated in my first FFA judging contest. Outside of school I am active in the 4-H program, my church, youth group, and have worked the last four summers as an assistant at story hour at the library. My friends and family are a very important part of my life. They help guide me, and keep my life exciting, and full of laughter. I was extremely honored to be asked to join the St. Francis Community Foundation, as a Jr. Board member. Giving back to my community is something I know is important. I am excited to learn from others and will do my best to contribute in any way I can to the foundation. Again, thank you for this opportunity.
Meet Our 2025 Interns
Emeritus Board Members
Honoring the Legacy of Carl Werner Carl Werner served on the Community Foundation board since its inception, guiding the organization through years of growth, change, and impact. His steady leadership and commitment helped shape the foundation into what it is today. Carl dedicated the majority of his distinguished career to USD 297 – St. Francis Public Schools as both an educator and administrator. His deep love for education and unwavering support of the school system inspired him to establish the St. Francis Educational Foundation Fund, ensuring that future generations of students would continue to benefit from opportunities he valued so deeply. Although Carl retired from both the school and the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation board in 2020, his presence never truly left. He remained an honorary member, a trusted voice, and a lasting example of service and leadership. With heavy hearts, we share that Carl has passed away. His impact on our school, our foundation, and our entire community is immeasurable. He was a man who gave selflessly, led with integrity, and believed deeply in the power of education and community. His legacy will continue to live on through the lives he touched and the future he helped build. He will never be forgotten. A celebration of Carl’s life will be held in St. Francis, Kansas, on April 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the United Methodist Church. We invite all who knew Carl to join us in honoring a life that meant so much to so many.
James Milliken was one of the first board members to join the Community Foundation board after its initial incorporation in 1988 and served on the board through all the name changes until his death on May 15, 2021. Jim was always proud that he and his wife, Ruth, called St. Francis home and raised their children here. He considered himself a farm boy and set up his shingle as an attorney in St. Francis after being encouraged by Bob Alsup. He believed in working to preserve and enrich the Cheyenne County KS community as a way to give back for the life the town provided for his family. Jim and Ruth walked the talk and gave generously in time and money to their "home" town. The St. Francis New Generation Fund and the St. Francis Educational Foundation Fund were both very special to him, and he was thrilled to see those endowment funds grow during his lifetime.
Learn about our latest
community projects.
All age inclusive playground coming soon to the St. Francis Court House Park.
