Doane College's effort to raise $5.7 million to improve its athletic facilities received a boost recently when the Nebraska school received a $500,000 gift.

The Kitty M. Perkins Foundation gave the $500,000 gift to the college last month.

Doane's Jerry Wood says the fundraising campaign should allow
the college to upgrade its stadium and field house and help pay for
a new recreation center.

Doane has raised about $2.4 million so far toward its goal of $5.7 million.

The Perkins foundation has ties to Nebraska because Kitty Perkins' husband, Edwin, invented Kool-Aid in Hastings in 1927.

The foundation has donated to a number of civic and education projects in the state.