April 8, 2024 |
Photo – Heart of Hanna business hours – Courtesy Heart of Hanna Facebook page
The Heart of Hanna is offering a scholarship to a local student for the first time. Founded in 2022, the Heart of Hanna is a consignment and thrift store that contains a large selection of 25 cent items. The store also distributes free food from local food banks to residents.
For the last year, Ellen Freeman and Lynn Sergeant have worked to turn the Heart of Hanna into a thriving business. Freeman said she and Sergeant volunteer their time to run the store, with neither lady taking a salary.
Freeman said the Heart of Hanna isn’t in the business of making a lot of money. The store owner said she provides a service to the underprivileged residents of the former mining town.
To further help the people of Hanna, Freeman and Sergeant are offering a $500 scholarship to a graduate of the Hanna Elk Mountain Medicine Bow High School. Freeman said the money is a way to support the students in their continuing education.
Freeman said the majority of the scholarship money came from the special Christmas shopping experience offered during the holidays.
Freeman is asking students to submit a brief essay about their lives. The store owner said volunteerism is an important factor in deciding who will receive the scholarship.
Freeman said she and the other two members of the Heart of Hanna board will review the applications and decide who will receive the $500 scholarship.
At this time, Freeman said the Heart of Hanna only has a single scholarship available. The store owner said she plans to offer additional scholarship opportunities as the store’s revenue increases.
Freeman said as the Heart of Hanna prospers, so too will the people of Hanna. She said whatever money the store earns above its operating budget will be invested back into the town.
Freeman said to contact her, either through Facebook or by coming into the Heart of Hanna, located at 5 Miners Plaza, to register for the scholarship.
