Professional Role and Contributions
Helen Hands serves as a Volunteer Grant Writer for High Plains Public Radio (HPPR), a public radio service operating in the High Plains region including western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas. She has held this volunteer role for eight years, during which time she has successfully helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. These funds have directly supported the maintenance and operation of HPPR’s numerous transmitters and translators, ensuring reliable broadcast coverage and the ongoing delivery of both regional and national programming. Additionally, her efforts have enabled HPPR to finance new initiatives advancing the station’s mission.
Background and Relevant Experience
Before joining HPPR, Helen Hands worked professionally as a wildlife biologist, specifically at Cheyenne Bottoms and within the state as a biologist for migratory game birds. This scientific background supports her ability to research, report, and write with precision—key skills underpinning her grant writing success.
Engagement with HPPR and Community
Helen’s connection to HPPR extends beyond writing grants; she is an avid listener and supporter of the station’s content. She values both the regional reporting produced by HPPR and the broader national programs such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered. She also engages with newer digital platforms, notably using the HPPR mobile app and regularly listening to HPPR Connect.
Personal Notes and Location
Helen resides in Hays, Kansas, which is within the HPPR broadcast footprint, aligning her geographically with the community served by the station. Her personal interests include running, biking, backpacking, hunting pheasants, and reading, suggesting a lifestyle consistent with the outdoor and rural culture prevalent in the High Plains region.
Organizational Context: High Plains Public Radio (HPPR)
HPPR is a non-profit public radio organization established in 1977, dedicated to enriching educational, cultural, and community life in its region. It operates broadcast and production studios located in Garden City, Kansas, and Amarillo, Texas, enabling it to cover a vast and rural area. The organization has managed funding challenges, demonstrated by recent large-scale grants such as a $750,000 award from Press Forward to bolster rural news coverage, and ongoing efforts to build regional news networks while managing financial pressures from federal funding cuts.
Helen Hands’ role, though voluntary, is integral in sustaining the funding base that supports HPPR’s operational and strategic objectives, reflecting her importance within the station’s ecosystem. Her long tenure and demonstrated ability to secure significant financial resources heighten her value as a sustained contributor to the station’s financial health and community presence.
This profile identifies Helen Hands as a committed, experienced grant writer whose work enables HPPR’s continued community service and expansion in a financially challenged environment, supported by a robust understanding of the region’s environmental and cultural context.
