Lots of ways to support community this week

It’s going to be a busy weekend in Imperial with so much going on. What’s great about it is that these events will help all of us support our local community. The state baseball tournament, Smokin’ on Broadway, the Chase County Challenge and a craft fair all kick off Saturday, with the baseball tournament continuing until Wednesday.
    I have to take a minute to address the baseball tournament. Talk about a community effort—close to $100,000 was raised locally for needed improvements at the field, with more than $30,000 added from our city sales tax funds.
        I love baseball and can’t be more proud of this community in stepping up to support what the tournament committee set in motion. As we all know, improvements to our public facilities are improvements to our community.
    The Chase County Challenge, which starts at 4 p.m. Saturday at City Square, is a new way to support our nonprofits and other organizations in the county. Thanks to the Imperial Community Foundation Fund, anything you donate to the 21 organizations participating will be doubled. ICFF is matching donations up to $25,000.
    The chamber-sponsored Smokin’ on Broadway returns this summer with 16 teams to compete, and don’t forget the SW Nebraska Entrepreneurs’ Summer Sell-A-Bration at the courthouse lawn. Have a great time supporting our community!