First two Nebraska Tourism Cares sites selected
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Press Contact: Jenn Gjerde at 402-471-3768 or [email protected]
Tourism Cares Coordinator: Amanda Barker at 402-471-3789 or [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First two Nebraska Tourism Cares sites selected
LINCOLN, Neb. (February 8, 2016)— The Nebraska Tourism Commission is excited to announce that the Tourism Cares selection committee has chosen the first two service sites for 2016. “Tourism Cares is the truest from of Nebraska Nice. As an industry we will be recruiting volunteers statewide to participate and celebrate our industry coming together to help one another,” said Nebraska Tourism Executive Director, Kathy McKillip. “We are excited to see the impact that this program will have not only for the projects themselves but for the communities and the entity.” This is the first year Nebraska Tourism is organizing an event of this sort and was pleased to receive multiple applicants.
The first project will be the restoration of the historic Fort Robidoux Trading Post in Gering, Neb. Volunteers will help restore the historic site by removing the chinking (material between wooden frames) and replacing it with a longer-lasting, historically sound material. “The Robidoux Trading Post sits at one of the most beautiful and historically significant sites in all of Nebraska,” explained Karla Niedan-Streeks, Gering Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director. “For anyone who volunteers on the project we can promise an amazing setting for their volunteer time, fun interaction with many local volunteers who were originally involved in the reconstruction of the Post, good food and an opportunity to be part of an effort that is a truly a community and statewide collaboration.” This service opportunity will take place during National Tourism Week, on May 6-7th (Friday & Saturday).
The second Tourism Cares site in 2016 will be in Chadron, Neb., where volunteers will clear old railroad ties, build simple bridges, and do various other tasks along the Cowboy Trail in order prepare the trail the first 5 miles east of Chadron for further development. “This project will help increase awareness in our community and the entire state about the importance of the Cowboy Trail,” said Kristina Harter, Dawes County Tourism Director. “We are eager to pull on our gloves on and begin cleaning up debris and building bridges from Chadron going east. This is just the beginning of a big project, but we are confident that the end result will attract a substantial number of visitors that will come to enjoy it.” When completely finished, the Cowboy Trail will be the longest rails to trails system in the country. This service opportunity will take place June 10 & 11 (Friday & Saturday).
Nebraska Tourism plans to coordinate four service projects annually, two of which will be selected over the summer months. Applications to be one of the final two service projects are available at http://visitnebraska.com/media/industry/nebraska-tourism-cares, and will be due on June 30th.
Interested in volunteering?
We'd love to have you join our efforts to maintain tourism destinations across the state. Volunteer applications are available at http://visitnebraska.com/media/industry/nebraska-tourism-cares. Indicate which of the two announced service projects you would like to volunteer with. Volunteer applications are due by April 1st (Gering service opportunity) and May 2nd (Chadron service opportunity), respective to the two projects.
For more information about travel, events and unique destinations in Nebraska, order your free travel guide today at www.VisitNebraska.com. Then stay connected with Nebraska Tourism on our Visit Nebraska Facebook page, on Twitter, on Pinterest and on YouTube.
The mission of the Nebraska Tourism Commission is to expand Nebraska’s dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to VisitNebraska.com.
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