#C4C County 10 Spotlight: Academy of the Winds, Almost Home Wyoming, Anam Cara Caregiving, Central Wyoming Amateur Radio Club, Child Development Services of Fremont County, CWC Lander Alpine Science Institute

The Lander Community Foundation (LCF) annual community-wide fundraiser Challenge for Charities, or C4C, is back at again for 2026, and as of May 1, the LCF will match any donations made to eligible local nonprofits through July 10.

Since its inception in 2011, LCF has collectively raised and distributed nearly $7 million dollars to help local nonprofits help our community. Money raised during this period ensures programs continue to run and that doors stay open.

We’re highlighting a few of the participating charities in this year’s Challenge:

Academy of the Winds is a private school in Lander serving children ages 3 through 8th grade. We’re rooted in the Montessori method, which draws on nearly 100 years of scientific research on how children learn best, and we bring it to life through hands-on, experiential education. Students don’t just learn content; they learn how to learn. They graduate middle school with a strong academic foundation alongside real life skills: focus, resilience, self-direction, collaborative problem-solving, and self-accountability.

C4C funds will support our high school launch in Fall 2027. AOW’s high school will offer rigorous academics, college-level coursework, and real work experience through community apprenticeships and work-study programs. This hybrid model is designed for students who want more than a one-size-fits-all education.

AOW has always believed that education can look different. As we grow into high school, we hope to continue offering Fremont County families a meaningful alternative: one that meets kids where they are, prepares them for wherever they’re going, and keeps that opportunity right here in Lander.

Almost Home Wyoming is a nonprofit in Lander dedicated to helping the homeless in our community find safe and affordable housing. We provide deposit plus first month’s rent upon application approval, and meet with our clients once a month for up to a year as we slowly move them into independence.

Almost one hundred percent of our funding goes to our clients because we are a completely voluntary business. The money we receive from the Challenge for Charities provides our homeless friends the opportunity to secure housing and become contributing members of our beautiful city by securing jobs and sending their children to school.

Our Board is so appreciative of the support that the Challenge for Charities and folks in Lander have provided us. Please consider donating to Almost Home Wyoming by giving online at almosthomewyoming.org or landercommunityfoundation.org. Donation checks may be mailed to the Lander Community Foundation, Box 1131, Lander, WY, 82520, with a notation to Almost Home Wyoming. Thank you, Lander!

Nurturing the Roots that Help Us Grow a Compassionate Community
At Anam Cara Caregiving, we believe growing older and caring for aging loved ones should never mean growing isolated. We are here to help our frontier community age with dignity, connection, and compassionate support — so people can remain where they most want to be: at home, surrounded by the community they love. In a small and remote town like Lander, this kind of care and guidance is both rare and deeply needed. Each year, generous donors make it possible for Anam Cara to raise more than $300,000 to ensure
individuals and families facing aging, illness, and caregiving challenges are met with comfort, support, and a vibrant network of care.

An individualized resource to help elders and families clarify goals of care and identify needs.
Integrated in-home care that provides hands-on caregiving, 24-7 access to RN engagement to inform care, guidance through changing needs, and coordination with medical providers.
The Community-Supported Care Fund, which eases the financial burden of crucial care, meeting basic needs.
In Caring Company Conversation Series—guided discussions that support us as we age, care for others and create community-based solutions.
Family Caregiver Rejuvenation monthly gatherings that restore those carrying the heaviest loads.

Summer Drive to Giving
This summer, we are rallying our community for Anam Cara’s Roots in the Community Annual Fund. Every dollar raised helps ensure that elders, caregivers, and families in our community receive compassionate support, guidance, and care when they need it most.
And this season, your generosity can go even further. Through Lander’s Challenge for Charities (May 1–July 10) and WyoGives on July 15, qualifying gifts may be amplified through challenge funds — meaning your support has the power to make an even greater impact.

Your gift helps make the care and attention to grow a compassionate community together possible!

Central Wyoming Amateur Radio Club is raising funds improve recreation and emergency communications.

Working together to do what none of us can do alone: CWARC is helping outdoor enthusiasts, electronics experimenters, and emergency preppers come together over a common need for reliable, decentralized communication. We are building infrastructure and providing support for all levels of reliable radio communications from local CB and GMRS to global Amateur Radio.

CWARC applies STEM in the real world to help the people of the county and beyond.

CWARC is participating in Challenge for Charities this year. Help us build out our vision!

Contributions can be made online at:
https://lander.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1858

Checks should be made payable to Lander Community Foundation (LCF).
Office Address:
101 Main Street
Lander, WY
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1131
Lander, WY 82520

CWARC currently has several goals in need of funding:
● Restoring a radio repeater site on Griffy Hill (Near Riverton Airport). When restored, community Amatuer and GMRS communication for recreation and emergencies will be greatly enhanced. This site has been leased to amateur radio operators by the City of Riverton at a steep discount to support the community, but it is in need of significant upgrades and repairs. Restoring the site will require a concrete foundation, a new radio tower, a new power service, solar panels and batteries. CWARC will provide cleanup and restoration work as funds become available.
● Expansion of GMRS radio coverage. GMRS is a commonly used “walkie-talkie” radio, and our repeaters can increase the range tenfold. We currently have one GMRS repeater in final testing before permanently deploying, and some of the equipment
needed to build another. We are striving to build out GMRS coverage for the Lander Area and Wind River Mountains.

● A better meeting camera to enhance club meetings for less mobile and distant club members. CWARC aspires to include Fremont and Sublette counties. Because of this large area, remote meetings are a necessity.

Media Contact:
Hannes Stueckler, President
Central Wyoming Amateur Radio Club
307-714-2263
info@cwarc.club

Child Development Services of Fremont County is celebrating 48 years of service in Fremont County. A provider of preschool, infant and toddler childcare, and therapeutic servcies for children of with disabilities, Child Development Services reaches over 200 families annually. The C4C donations help CDS provide an inclusive preschool classrooms that focus on the whole child through a play-based approach to learning. Sign-up for our preschool, childcare, or take advantage of our free developmental screening. Donate to Child Development Services by visiting our social media pages and locating our Challenge for Charities link, or go directly to the Challenge for Charities site and choose CDS today. Your C4C donation makes it possible for infants and toddlers in our community to have full childcare options. But your money doesn’t stop there, every dollar you donate supports our preschool offerings and helps us provide support to working families. With the Lander Community’s support, CDS connects families with young children to local services, assistance, and resources with individualized attention and support!

At CWC Lander and Alpine Science Institute, we believe in the power of the outdoors for people of all ages. For years, CWC’s Outdoor Education and Recreation programs have been based out of Lander, providing college students with the opportunity to build their leadership skills through experience based education in the outdoors. As our programs have expanded and evolved, we realize that these experiences, skills and knowledge should be accessible to more people in our community.

Since 2021, we have offered a full summer lineup of outdoor recreation-focused classes and camps for K-12 students. These classes give students the opportunity to rock climb, mountain bike, hike and backpack, as well as do archery, arts and crafts, yoga and water activities at the Alpine Science Institute, Sinks Canyon State Park and in the Wind River Mountains.

As we prepare for another busy, fun-filled summer, we are also looking to the future and how we can improve and strengthen our programs. These changes and additions to our programs will be possible through our participation in this year’s Challenge For Charities. The money raised this year will be used to fund equipment, services, and fees needed to maintain and enhance our summer camps, classes, and expeditions.

Donors can contribute to our Challenge for Charities campaign by clicking on this link between now and July 10.