Sykes enriches lives through foundation

Community programming in the Greybull and Basin area remains robust thanks in part to funding by two former Basin residents, Gordon and Edna Sykes, who left their estate to benefit the communities in the area. 

In the last 10 years alone, over $700,000 has been given to entities in South Big Horn County. The permanent charitable fund was established through the Wyoming Community Foundation. 

Local recipients of the Gordon and Edna Sykes Endowment Fund have included the Greybull Recreation District, Greybull Fire Department, Greybull Museum, Three Rivers Health, Gottsche Rehabilitation and Wellness, the Town of Basin, Bighorn Basin Gun Club, Big Horn County 4-H, The Shack, Greybull Needs a Pool, C.A.R.E.S., Historic Red Shell School, and the South Big Horn Little League to name a few. 

Specifically for the Greybull Recreation District this year, $8,125 in funding from the Sykes grant has contributed to community programming support. This includes wages for program support-staff and gear. Intramural football helmets, step-over football dummies, pickleball nets and balls, soccer goals, and roller skates. 

For just pickleball, football, soccer, and roller skating this funding positively impacts well over 150 local children and adults who rely on the rec center for exercise and intramural sport exposure. 

“The Sykes grant has been very supportive to the rec district over the years,” said director Heather Howe. In the past, Sykes funding has helped support the rec center with a gym divider curtain, basketballs, volleyballs, gymnastics equipment, and a sound system. 

“Grants help us keep the hall and equipment updated. The fees we charge can remain minimal if I continue to find ways to keep the cost to host these activities down,” said Howe. 

Usually, an entity applies for a grant through the Wyoming Community Foundation, and a committee reviews the applications. “There isn’t an option to apply for the Sykes grant specifically. The great thing about this grant is that it only supports community programming within the southern Big Horn County region,” Howe added. 

“Not everyone likes to hear that grants were awarded. I think that the assumption is tax dollars are being given away, and that taxes wouldn’t be so high or as much per household if grants went away,” Howe said. “This particular grant is not tax funded. It is a legacy gift from two former Basin residents that left their estate to benefit the communities in our area.”

Over the years, The Shack in Greybull has received Sykes funding. The drop-in community youth center has used the backing for live music, board games, video games, a vacuum and security cameras to help keep kids safe and hold them accountable. 

The funding has also been used for ‘essential bags’ and the Shack’s free backpack program. The bags contain things like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and toothpaste that they offer to local youth. 

“Sykes helped us kick-off that program,” said executive director Jennifer Patrick. “We’re always thankful for grants that are willing to invest in the youth of the community. Sometimes it’s boring things but it’s a huge impact and we wouldn’t be able to provide these services if it wasn’t for foundations like this.”

The Town of Basin received Sykes funding and used it to create the Lilac City Senior Activity Center in the old Riverside High School building. Seniors previously traveled to Greybull to its senior center. The center in Basin offers a comfortable space to play games, read, and connect. Fitness and art classes are held in the space. Seniors can use the hallways and gym to walk safely in the winter. 

“We wanted to offer a fun place for seniors to socialize in Basin without having to travel to Greybull,” said Basin mayor CJ Duncan.  

“Both of our rec districts in Basin and Greybull have benefited from the money the Sykes left. Without their assistance it could be a different story in our communities,” said Duncan. 

Other grantee highlights over the years include the following.

2025: Three Rivers Health was awarded funding to help expand in-home services for patients including home dialysis services. This funding supports rural healthcare and innovative solutions that meets patients where they are, brining essential services into the home, reducing travel burdens, and helping patients stay healthier and more comfortable close to home. 

2024: Funding was awarded to the Big Horn Basin Gun Club to expand trap shooting opportunities for local youth. The grant allowed the club to replace outdated equipment and purchase two new functional target throwers. The new equipment allows the club to engage more young people in the sport such as 4-H participants and the high school trap league members.

2023: The endowment fund provided a grant to the South Big Horn Little League to purchase and install two new scoreboards at their baseball fields in Greybull. The program has continued to grow over the years, adding a Senior League recently as well. The new working scoreboards have enhanced the field and allow the audience to see the scores and participate readily in the games.

2022: When an event such as a structure fire occurs, firemen are required to equip themselves with a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. With help from the Sykes Committee and from local funds raised, the Greybull Volunteer Firefighters Association was able to replace all its outdated equipment. Now volunteer firefighters can feel confident with their equipment to more confidently fight fires in the area.

2021: 4-H provides youth in Greybull, Shell, Burlington, Otto, Basin, Manderson and Hyattville big opportunities. A grant from the Sykes fund helped area youth take part in photography, raise livestock, and some youths were even able to travel to Raton, New Mexico to participate in a shooting sports event.

2020: Greybull Volunteer Firefighters Association received Sykes funding. The fire department’s wild-land hoses and drying equipment, along with other tools and equipment, were worn out and dated. The funds supported purchase of new equipment.

The Endowment Fund is managed by the Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF), and was created 20 years ago. It specifically supports rural nonprofits, youth programs, and community services in the southern Big Horn County area including Greybull, Shell, Basin, Burlington, Otto, Manderson, and Hyattville.  Grant information and applications can be found on their website: www.wycf.org