Show the Love this February and Support our Hand Up Grant (HUG) Funds
This February, we challenge you to "Show the Love" to women in our community who need assistance as they advance their education. Your generous donations in support of Fairy Godmothers' Hand Up Grant (HUG) program will help us continue to fund needs-based scholarships for women accepted or enrolled in a course or courses at Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan Christian College, Bellus Academy, or Kansas State University.
Let's see what we can accomplish together by showing some extra love toward funding women's education this February!
How to Donate
To contribute to this challenge, please mail a check or donate online:
- Mail a check to: Fairy Godmothers c/o GMCF | PO Box 1127| Manhattan, KS 66505
- Please note "HUG Grant Fund" or "HUG Endowment" with your donation so funds are allocated appropriately.
- Donate via our online donation form.
- Make sure "HUG Grant" or "HUG Endowment" are selected from the fund drop-down menu!
Thank you for your commitment to the Fairy Godmothers. Without you, we wouldn't have programs like HUG that impact women in our community.
About the Hand Up Grant
The HUG scholarship program, established in 2018, provides up to a $3,000 scholarship to women to attend an approved certification or degree program that will lead to employment or job advancement. The women who have completed their programs have attained, for example, nursing and welding degrees, and some are on their way to obtaining bachelor's degrees.
There is no better way to see the impact of the HUG program than hearing from the recipients themselves.
- When asked what the HUG grant has meant to here, Amaya said it definitely has taken a lot of weight off her shoulders. She always has prided herself on being financially independent and would have needed to work full time to pay for her education.
- Justice said, "I don't think I could have afforded to do this on my own. I'm very passionate about becoming an EMT and really want to help save people"
In 2024, the HUG committee funded education across a variety of professions and needs: A medical lab technician, a phlebotomist, a veterinary medicine student, and a driver's education completion to name a few. The committee also funded a student intending to be a nurse educator, one working in the hospice field, a nurse practitioner, one hoping to serve in labor and delivery, and yet another with dreams to return to help her home country, Cameroon, develop a community clinic.
"Every woman has a unique story and life goal," says Sue Maes, chair of the HUG committee. "I guarantee your donations that go toward HUG are well spent and benefit ten times over the future of women's lives in our community."