Ashlie Wubben has been an EMT for 10 years and on Clara City’s ambulance crew for 5 years. A decade of experience has shown her how rural EMS is vital to patient care outcomes. Volunteer first responders cover long distances and overcome other unique challenges to make sure neighbors have access to care.
“I’m passionate about rural health, emergency care, and taking care of the communities that raised us. Being a leader makes me proud of our community, our crew, and our response — setting examples for future generations to give selflessly and care about their community,” Ashlie said.
Emergencies aren’t the only place the Clara City Ambulance Service shows up. They also support the community in being prepared. Recently, they worked on developing a CPR class guide and toolkit to expand community training efforts.
In 2025, instructor Ben Schoep led his first class in Clara City—recertifying a local child care provider. That training means faster, more confident responses to emergencies involving the youngest community members.
“In a rural community, quick action saves lives. CPR training equipment and a trained instructor help us teach our community how to respond confidently, giving neighbors the best chance in an emergency,” Ashlie said.
A grant from the Clara City Area Community Foundation (CCACF) helped fund this training. The local community foundation has made several grants to the ambulance service, including one in July to add first responder play equipment to the park.
“As members of the CCACF we remain focused on our mission statement, which is to connect people who care with projects that matter. Our foundation has welcomed the opportunity to support various needs in our community,” said John Donner, board chair.
Established in 2016, CCACF helps the community grow and thrive—making life better for everyone who calls Clara City home. Since inception, the foundation has granted more than $83,000 to organizations in and around Clara City. This includes equipment for the fire, ambulance and police departments as well as grants to the aquatic center, youth activities, and a project to renew and enhance seasonal city lighting.
“We are now working on our biggest project to date, the construction of pickle ball courts,” John said. “Clara City has a wonderfully diversified community athletic field including sand volleyball, aquatic center, tennis, basketball, and bike and skateboard court. The addition of pickle ball courts will make a great athletic field even better. The CCACF is so excited to be heading up this project.”
Our network of 31 community foundations supports passionate people with the resources to make positive change. A team of local advisory board members guides each community foundation by fundraising, recommending grants, telling stories of good work happening locally and promoting their town.
“Our local community foundation partners are the experts on what’s needed in their towns That includes the ‘nice-to-have’ amenities like hanging flowerpots to supporting the lifesaving work of smalltown Emergency Medical Services — and everything in between,” said Jeff Vetsch, Southwest Initiative Foundation Community Gift Officer. “As long as it’s truly benefitting the place they call home, there’s a unique variety in the projects our partners help fund.”
Give Where You Live
Support your local community foundation or another fund that benefits a cause you care about close to home. See a full list of our partner funds in southwest Minnesota.
