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Nonprofit
Midlands Community Foundation is now accepting applications for several of our charitable funds. They are the Alex Shives Scholarship, Kaiti Williams Memorial Scholarship, Mark and Rose Delaney Memorial Scholarship, Mary Beth Harrold Scholarship, Papillion Softball Woolhiser Memorial Scholarship, and Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship. Alex Shives Scholarship is a scholarship available to a graduating senior from either Papillion LaVista or Papillion LaVista South who has participated on the boys or girls golf team at either high school. The scholarship fund will distribute one, one-time $2,500 scholarship to the student. In addition, applicants must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above, show financial need, and show exemplary community service and active volunteerism.
Kaiti Williams Memorial Scholarship is a scholarship available to graduating female student athletes from the Papillion LaVista South High School who are pursuing a higher education and are participating in sports at the collegiate level. The scholarship fund will distribute one, one-time $1,000 scholarship to the student. In addition, applicants must have participated in high school sports for a minimum of two years, be in the top 25% of their class, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above, and show evidence of community service. Mark and Rose Delaney Memorial Scholarship is a scholarship available to current or incoming high school students at a high school that is operated by the Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools. The fund will award one, one-time $500 scholarship to the student. Applicants must show financial need, be involved in non-academic, extra-curricular activities and be in top 50% of their class. Mary Beth Harrold Scholarship is a scholarship available to a current female graduating senior from the Papillion LaVista School District who plans to pursue a business or entrepreneurial degree. The scholarship fund will distribute one, one-time $500 scholarship to the student. In addition, applicants must participate in DECA or FBLA and be in the top 50% of their class with a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must show financial need and be involved in non-academic and extra-curricular activities.
Papillion Softball Woolhiser Memorial Scholarship is a scholarship available to graduating female seniors from the Papillion LaVista School District who have played recreational or select softball for the Papillion Softball Organization for a minimum of three (3) years. The scholarship fund will distribute two, one-time $500 scholarships (one to Papillion LaVista High School and one to Papillion LaVista South High School). In addition, applicants must be in the top 50% of their class with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Sarpy County Bar Association Scholarship is a scholarship available to students studying criminal justice, criminology, sociology, psychology or pre-law. The fund will distribute two, one-time $1,500 scholarships. Applicants also must show financial need, exemplary community service and active volunteerism, maintain at GPA of 2.5 or above and be in the top 50% of class.
Scholarship Funds can be established at Midlands Community Foundation to help local students pursue their dreams and goals at colleges, universities, and trade or technical schools after high school graduation. These funds allow donors to give back to the community through their name or the name of a loved one while also receiving tax benefits. Visit www.midlandscommunity.org for specific scholarship guidelines and/or applications.
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NAMI Omaha Announces February 4 Affiliate Meeting on Zoom
NAMI Omaha announced that their next Mental Health NAMI Affiliate meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on Thursday, February 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. The guest speaker will be Brad Meurrens, Public Policy Director for Disability Rights Nebraska. He will discuss the mental health bills before the Nebraska Legislature in 2021 and how to affect change in mental health in Nebraska. Advanced registration must be done through Zoom (Meeting ID: 895 6628 9161).
NAMI Omaha is a nonprofit organization composed of consumers, family members, professionals, and friends who have come together to share and take comfort in the commonality of their experiences and to educate members of their communities about serious brain disorders. Along with providing education, literature, support, workshops, conferences, and more, NAMI Omaha actively advocates at the local, state, and national levels to improve the services for and the lives of those affected by mental illness and their families. For more information on NAMI Omaha, visit namiomaha.org or call (402) 345-8101 / (877) 463-626. For helpful articles about mental illness, follow NAMI Omaha on Facebook (@NAMIOmaha).
The Beat Goes on February 25 to Support Jennie Edmundson Cardiovascular Program
Mark your calendar to support the Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation Cardiovascular Patient Care Fund by participating in the virtual Dance to the Beat fundraiser on Thursday, February 25. The purpose of Dance to the Beat is twofold: The first goal is to raise funds to help cardiovascular patients cover some of the uninsured costs of their care, such as transportation and medication. The second is to raise awareness of the importance of exercise, nutrition, and other factors that improve cardiac health. “Without the support of our sponsors, we couldn’t accomplish either goal,” said Jennie Edmundson Foundation Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer Tara Slevin.
The care team at Methodist Jennie Edmundson’s Cardiovascular Center is part of an advanced cardiology services network that stretches throughout southwest Iowa and the metro Omaha area to deliver timely, individualized procedures, treatments and therapies, along with education aimed at preventing heart disease. The team includes three cardiologists: Robert Armbruster, M.D., Joseph Ayoub, M.D., and Thomas Brandt, M.D. Together with cardiac-care nurses and other medical professionals, the cardiologists actively partner with the caregivers at other hospitals throughout the region and with the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) first responders who answer the 911 calls every day.
The Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation is indebted to the longtime support they have received from large and small communities across southwest Iowa and the Omaha metro area. To learn more about participating in the virtual Dance to the Beat event February 25 or to make a donation to their cause, call (712) 396-6040 or visit jehfoundation.org.
Virtual 2021 AHA Omaha Heart & Stroke Ball Scheduled for Thursday, February 18
The American Heart Association’s 2021 Omaha Heart & Stroke Ball, an annual black-tie event, is scheduled on a virtual platform starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 18. Chaired by Dr. Jeff and Theresa Carstens and presented locally by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and CHI Health, the event celebrates the energy, passion, and commitment of donors, healthcare providers, community leaders, sponsors, volunteers, and survivors to raise funds for lifesaving research and education. Funds raised during the event support the fight against cardiovascular diseases—the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States each year.
“The Heart Ball would not be possible without our volunteer leadership, who raise important funds to support our lifesaving mission,” said Nebraska Omaha Heart & Stroke Ball Director Kelsey Ridder.
From humble beginnings in 1924, the American Heart Association has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites their more than 40 million volunteers and supporters, as well as more than 2,800 employees. Their size and scope ensure that the AHA has real impact. They have invested more than $4.5 billion in research, more than any other U.S. nonprofit organization. For more information about the 2021 AHA Lincoln Heart Ball and how you can support it or participate, visit heart.org/ omahaheartball or email Kelsey.Ridder@heart.org.
Mosaic Expanding Team to Provide Full Continuum of Services for Clients Needs
Mosaic is expanding its care team in Omaha to provide the full continuum of services for its clients, including people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs, and autism, as well as aging adults. Services are tailored to meet individual needs and goals, allowing people to live as independently as possible. Openings for the growing team currently include a Registered Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Medication Specialist, and Direct Support Associate. Services available through Mosaic include 24-hour residential support, autism services, behavioral health and autism, day services, mental and behavioral health services, Mosaic at home, services in the community and homes, and supported living. The Mosaic team is a team of problem solvers and connectors who are passionate about services and partnerships that create meaningful lives in caring communities, giving a voice to people’s needs. Mosaic harnesses data and processes technology to provide high-quality services to as many people in need as they can, and adding another nurse, medication specialist and support associate will help them continue to build relationships to drive outcomes for communities, funders, families and, most important, the people they serve. If you’re interested in learning more about Mosaic or joining the team, visit mosaicinfo.org or contact Tabatha Ingram at (402) 235-8203 / tabatha.ingram@mosaicinfo.org.
Wear Yellow Nebraska Opens Registration for 18th Annual Ride, Run & Walk in 2021
Wear Yellow Nebraska has opened event registration for the 18th Annual Wear Yellow Nebraska Ride, Run & Walk, scheduled for Saturday, August 14. Each registration for the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser provides a fellow Nebraskan in their fight against cancer with two rides to and from their treatments. This is accomplished through the Wear Yellow Cab Ride Program, plus other initiatives that support their mission and truly make a difference for cancer survivors.
From its very beginning, Wear Yellow Nebraska’s purpose was to bring together people who are passionate about cycling to celebrate life and fight cancer. The original Wear Yellow Ride was organized by Mike and Stacy Buckley in 2003 as a way to rally the Omaha community in riding for a good cause—their entry into the prestigious Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge. As passion for the cause grew and more people wanted to get involved, the group’s focus started to shift inward, and they made the decision to form a nonprofit organization and keep the funds from the annual event in Nebraska to support cancer survivors in our own communities.
Today, Wear Yellow Nebraska is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a clear focus on niche initiatives that offer cancer survivors support in ways that weren’t previously being addressed and for people who would otherwise fall through the cracks, truly caring for each person’s special circumstances. Get event details and register for the Wear Yellow Nebraska Ride, Run & Walk or donate to the cause at supportwyn.org/18 or call (402) 965-1699.
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NCF Recommends Making 2021 the Year You Finally Create a Will
Given that an estimated 70% of American adults have either an outdated will or no will at all, Nebraska Community Foundation is encouraging people to make 2021 the year you finally update or create your will. In fact, it’s easier to get started than you might think! The Foundation offers a free Wills Guide that will guide you through the process. The easy-to-use, fill-in-the-blank downloadable booklet will help you organize your assets and your intent, all in one place. It is full of useful information and templates to record your family’s information, accounts, assets, liabilities and charitable intentions.
Nebraska Community Foundation works with professional advisors and their clients every day to help put their assets to work with tax-efficient charitable strategies that make positive impacts on the Nebraska communities they care about most. To download or request Nebraska Community Foundation’s free Wills Guide and start making a plan to provide for your family and support the communities and causes you care about, visit Nebcommfound.GiftLegacy.com.
Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving, and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska. Headquartered in Lincoln, the Foundation serves communities, donors and organizations by providing financial management, strategic development, education and training to a statewide network of 1,500 volunteers serving 270 communities. Since 1994, Nebraska Community Foundation has reinvested more than $393 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information about the Foundation, visit NebraskaHometown.org.
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Vision Maker Media Celebrates 45 Years of Empowering Native Voices Throughout 2021
In 2021, Vision Maker Media is celebrating 45 years of empowering Native voices. Established in 1976, with continuous support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET), their mission remains to empower and engage Native people to share their stories. What began as a film archive to conserve and document Native American stories has, through the years, transformed into the nation’s public-media leader in content by and about America’s first people—Native Americans and Alaska Natives—for public broadcasting.
The nonprofit Vision Maker Media is marking its 45th year with a year-long celebration of commUNITY events, including the premiere of an all-new Indigenous Vision Maker Media podcast, thematic film screenings, public events, and more. They envision a world changed and healed by understanding Native stories and the public conversations they generate. Vision Maker Media is incredibly excited to celebrate 2021 with their commUNITY—YOU!
Vision Maker Media has 56 Native filmmakers and nearly 40 films currently in public-media broadcasting, 10 of which were added in 2019. They are currently accepting applications for their 2021 Public Media Project funding through February 12. To learn more, visit visionmakermedia.org, or direct questions to Charlie Perry at cperry@netad.unl.edu.
Iowa West Foundation Awards MLCDC $50K Grant for Childcare Programs in Council Bluffs
Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC) recently announced that it was awarded a $50,000 one-year grant from Iowa West Foundation, which will allow MLCDC to invest in training opportunities for Latina women who want to open an inhome daycare in southwest Iowa. This training is part of MLCDC’s Industry Training Program and helps low- and moderate-income women achieve self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship. Many of the nonprofit’s training-program participants are underemployed and do not have English as their first language.
The COVID-19 pandemic created unique challenges for MLCDC clients, most notably the suspension of onsite classes at the center. In March 2020, however, MLCDC transitioned to virtual trainings, allowing more individuals to receive training while remaining compliant with the health regulations and social-distancing measures. With the help of the new grant, the Industry Training Program can provide resources to the Latinas in Iowa who are dedicated to being licensed childcare providers. This grant will help increase the number of Latino Childcares in Council Bluffs and will promote high-quality childcare services. Training includes everything from creating a business plan to childcare development, marketing plans, technical assistance, and small working capital. Many people know of the Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation as a place where individuals receive training to open childcares, but the mission at the heart of the organization is to provide training opportunities to low- and moderate-income individuals to achieve financial stability and economic growth through entrepreneurship. For more information, visit midlandslatinocdc.org or call (402) 933-4466.
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Goodwill Omaha Running Date Night Challenge Contest Set for February 1–14
Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy will be beginning their annual Horse of the Year Race this year on February 1. The 2021 race, set to run from February 1 to April 30, will collect donations for each of their therapeutic horses; the horse with the most raised at the end will be crowned the 2021 Horse of the Year! Donations will be used the help subsidize the annual cost of providing exceptional health care, nutrition, and training for HETRA’s special equine herd. Each horse has a goal of raising $4,500—the annual cost of caring for a single horse. The 10 horses participating in the race are: Coby, Jewel, King, Mack, Monty, Ty, Waldo, Yahzi, Stormy, and Blue. These incredible horses work hard throughout the year to take care of their patients—let’s show them some love in return! For more information on the Horse of the Year event or how to donate, contact HETRA Development Specialist Joshua Howell at jhowell@hetra.org.
The Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) is comprised of a team of dedicated instructors, occupational, physical, and mental-health therapists, a band of dedicated volunteers, and 25 wonderful therapy horses. They work to change lives One Stride at a Time for children and adults living with disabilities, as well as veterans and their families. To learn more, participate, or donate, call (402) 359-8830 or visit hetra.org.
NAM Announces Virtual Nonprofit Board Masters Training Series February 8-12
In an effort to help members of nonprofit boards strengthen governing skills and get a thorough understanding of their role, the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) is offering a virtual Board Masters Training Series from noon to 1 p.m. daily, February 8-12. NAM will cover the most important aspects of board governance in this interactive program, with a goal that participants leave with clarity about the roles and responsibilities of boards of directors as governing bodies and a plan to make the board on which they serve the best it can be. Board Masters was created for current and potential board members—for organizations big and small alike—who want to learn how to better serve nonprofit organizations, regardless of their levels of experience. Participants will learn how effective boards function, tackle the essential tasks of nonprofit board members, and create a plan of action to address opportunities. To get the maximum benefit from this training, NAM strongly encourages that at least one board member and one senior-level staff member from each nonprofit attend all five days of training together. The cost is just $125 for members and $250 for not-yet members.
NAM is a state association that represents more than 650 nonprofit organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. With their growing base of nonprofits, NAM is committed to enhancing public recognition of the important role of the nonprofit sector, providing access to highquality assistance and information, advocating on issues that affect the capacity of nonprofits to address community needs, and fostering communication and cooperation among nonprofits. To register for the Board Masters Training Series, visit nonprofitam.org/events or contact Rosey Higgs at (402) 557-5800 or rosey@nonprofitam.org.
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Assistance League of Omaha Opens New Thrift Shop, Larger than Former Location
The Assistance League of Omaha (ALO) has opened the new location of its thrift shop at 8502 West Center Rd. Much larger than its former location, it is brimming with wonderful bargains in women’s clothing, men’s clothing, many accessories, books, wonderful decorator items for the home and so much more. You will always find something new and fun when you browse this new shop that features many interesting and unique items. Because of COVID concerns, for now they are only open on Wednesday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All safety precautions are taken to protect you and ALO staff members. In the future, they will be back to their regular schedule of being open four days a week. Please plan to stop by and check out this great new shop. Proceeds from sales goes to support Assistance League’s six different philanthropic programs. Assistance League of Omaha is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organization whose members identify, develop, implement, and fund ongoing philanthropic programs to serve specific needs of local children and adults in the Greater Omaha area. Their signature programs are Operation School Bell®, Assault Survivor Kits, Operation Recovery, Operation Bear Hug, Operation Literacy and ACT/PSAT Review Sessions. Donations and grants are appreciated. Learn more online at www.alomaha.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha Names 2021 Board of Directors and Executive Committee
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha recently announced its Board of Directors for 2021, including George Achola, a board member since 2017, as the new chair of the board. Achola is Vice President and Counsel for Burlington Capital Real Estate. He is joined on Habitat Omaha’s Executive Committee by Vice Chair Levi Scheppers, Chief Executive Officer, OrthoNebraska; Treasurer Rollie Johns, Chief Financial Officer, CSG; and Secretary Caren Woodruff, Founder and Coach, QuarterLife Coaching. Returning board members include: Drew Collier, retired from Union Pacific; Jon Costello, Bellevue Public Schools Foundation; Bob Dalrymple, retired from Bank of the West; Javier Fernandez, Omaha Public Power District; Julie Fritz, community volunteer; Dr. Cynthia Gooch-Grayson, Metropolitan Community College; Jeff Gordman, Jeff Gordman Advisory LLC; Buck Heim, Kutak Rock LLP; Marcos Hernandez, U.S. Bank; Dan Houghton, Buildertrend; Ryan Iwansky, D.A. Davidson Companies; Keith Jankuski, CHI Health; Teri Mercer, McCarthy Capital; Brian Miles, Bridges Trust; Laura Nelson, First National Bank of Omaha; Gustavo Oberto, Lindsay Corporation; Dan Patterson, Cobalt Credit Union; Mark Rodgers, Core Bank; Jaison Samuel, Thrivent Financial; Angel Starks, Nebraska Realty; and Lucas Weatherly, Olsson. To address the need for quality affordable housing in our community, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha builds and renovates homes, repairs existing houses, takes down blighted structures, and advocates for better laws and systems. They also work with individuals and families to help them acquire the access, skills, and financial education necessary to become successful homeowners. For more information, visit habitatomaha.org or call (402) 457-5657.
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Malone Center Partners with Culler Middle School for Cougar Den After-School Program
The Malone Community Center is partnered with Culler Middle School for the Cougar Den program to provide free and extended learning opportunities to students from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays on regular school days and from 1:40 to 4:30 p.m. on PLC days. When you register your student for this program, don’t expect your average after-school program. Instead, you’ll find that this program is about a family that takes care of one another! Cougar Den is a Community Learning Center (CLC) club that provides a fun, educational delivery system using the school as the central gathering place for students, families, and neighborhoods. The club provides high-quality academic and enrichment opportunities for children outside of school hours. They help develop problem-solving and creative-thinking skills and encourage community and parent engagement in the success of the children who participate. The goals of the Cougar Den Club are successful students, thriving families, and stronger neighborhoods. To learn more about Cougar Den or register your child to participate, go to culler.lps.org/clc. Since 1955, the Malone Community Center has created and facilitated programs to combat the racial disparities and inequities that exist in our justice, healthcare, and social systems. For more information or to donate, visit malonecenter.org or call (402) 474-1110.
Saving Grace Rescues and Redistributes 1.3M Pounds of Food
Despite challenges from the pandemic, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue rescued and redistributed over 1.3 million pounds of healthy perishable food to feed the hungry in 2020. This is a 25% increase over the previous year’s total. Using a fleet of refrigerated trucks and professional drivers/food handlers, Saving Grace picks up excess nutritious food from a network of food donors including grocery stores, caterers, event venues, schools, wholesalers and restaurants. The produce, dairy products, meats, prepared and prepackaged meals, grain products, and other healthy foods are delivered the same day, free of charge, to 40 nonprofit partner agencies for use by their clients.
As normal food pickups fluctuated early in the pandemic due to business closures and food supply disruptions, Saving Grace offered its unique logistics and distribution system to help other organizations with food delivery. As a result, Saving Grace is partnering with Catholic Charities to transport USDA Farmers to Families food boxes beyond what that agency can use for its pantries to other nonprofit organizations. During the summer, Saving Grace worked with the Food Bank of the Heartland and Millard Public Schools to transport food boxes from Millard South High School to nine other schools for distribution to those in need. Additionally, Saving Grace provided transportation to connect produce from community gardens with local nonprofits.
Since operations began in October 2013, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue has rescued 5,367,709 pounds of perishable food. This translates to 2,680 tons of food that has been kept out of the landfills. To learn more, visit savinggracefoodrescue.org. Call (402) 2156718 to reach the office or (402) 913-6776 if you are a business or nonprofit interested in working with Saving Grace.
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Open Door Mission Asks Community to Host Seats & Feet Undergarment Drives
Open Door Mission recently launched a Seats & Feet campaign, asking the community to host donation drives to collect new undergarments and socks for men and women experiencing homelessness. Any group, business, or family can host a drive, collecting brand new underwear and tube socks, which are among Open Door’s current urgent needs. All sizes are welcome, but they especially need XL and larger. To make it easy for you to host your own Seats & Feet drive, Open Door Mission has provided step-by-step instructions and help on their website. You can even host a virtual drive from the comfort and safety of your own home by shopping Open Door Mission’s Seats & Feet Amazon Wish List.
Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that meets the needs of individuals and families while inspiring HOPE for lasting change. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe shelter beds to homeless men, women, and children, serves nearly 4,750 nutritious meals, and provides preventive measures to more than 1,000 people living in poverty. For step-by-step instructions to host your own Seats & Feet drive, visit opendoormission.org/urgent-needs/seats-andfeet-drive. For more information, contact Kristen Dineen at kdineen@ opendoormission.org or (402) 829-1538.
CenterPointe Becomes Part of Zero Suicide Initiative to Make Suicide a ‘Never Event’
CenterPointe is proud to announce they are part of the Zero Suicide initiative, developed out of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center of the Education Development Center (EDC). EDC worked with health and behavioral healthcare organizations looking to improve care for individuals who are at risk of suicide. CenterPointe is now among these behavioral healthcare organizations seeking to make suicide a “never event.” The Zero Suicide leadership team consists of Michelle Nelson, Helen Trotter, Jenn Nelson, Jordon Weideman, Kat Clark, Ryan Carruthers, Amber Dirks and Chris Allende. CenterPointe’s goals are to learn how to incorporate evidencebased best practices into individual care and safety for those at risk for suicide. The nonprofit’s team will assess risk and use all of the tools in the Zero Suicide Toolkit to ensure that every person served receives suicide care. CenterPointe intends to take the lead in the state of Nebraska to promote the Zero Suicide approach to improve care and outcomes for at-risk individuals in behavioral healthcare systems.
CenterPointe is a nonprofit organization that started in 1973, offering Lincoln and Omaha a broad continuum of care for the disadvantaged, individuals facing homelessness and those with mental health challenges. Today, CenterPointe offers nearly 40 programs in the areas of crisis response, treatment, rehabilitation, housing, and peer support. CenterPointe’s mission is to help those they serve get better, sooner, for longer. To learn more or to donate to their cause, visit centerpointe.org, call (402) 475-8717, or email development@centerpointe.org.
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HETRA to Launch Annual Horse of the Year Race February 1
Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy will be launching their annual Horse of the Year Race this year on February 1. The 2021 campaign, set to run from February 1 to April 30, will collect donations for each of their therapeutic horses; the horse with the most raised at the end will be crowned the 2021 Horse of the Year! Donations will be used the help subsidize the annual cost of providing exceptional health care, nutrition, and training for HETRA’s special equine herd. Each horse has a goal of raising $4,500—the annual cost of caring for a single horse. Of the 20-plus horses in the HETRA Herd, 10 are participating in the race: Diamond, Galaxy, Georgie, Honey, Jewel, Leroy, Rainbow, Red, Waldo, and Yahzi. These incredible horses work hard throughout the year to take care of their patients—let’s show them some love in return! For more information on the Horse of the Year campaign or how to donate, contact HETRA Development Specialist Joshua Howell at jhowell@hetra.org.
The Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) is comprised of a team of dedicated instructors, occupational, physical, and mental-health therapists, a band of dedicated volunteers, and 25 wonderful therapy horses. They work to change lives One Stride at a Time for children and adults living with disabilities, as well as veterans and their families. To learn more, participate, or donate, call (402) 359-8830 or visit hetra.org.
Domesti-PUPS Shifts I Love My Dog Expo to April 17-18, at Lancaster Event Center
If you love your dog—and who doesn’t?—mark your calendars for the Domesti-PUPS “I Love My Dog Expo,” which was recently rescheduled to April 17-18 at the Lancaster Event Center. Originally scheduled for February, the COVID-driven rescheduling means you have a little extra time to plan your attendance! The I Love My Dog Expo is a family-style, dog-friendly event featuring the positive aspects of responsible dog ownership, as well as the principles of proper dog selection and training. The event offers a vast array of dog-related products and services, as well as educational demonstrations. Dog lovers of all ages will enjoy a fun-filled day, including entertainment from numerous vendors with all sorts of fun products for dog lovers.
Given that the I Love My Dog Expo is an annual benefit for DomestiPUPS, the organization also is seeking dog-loving corporate sponsors for the event. Domesti-PUPS is a community organization that provides service dogs for persons with disabilities, pet-therapy programs, classroom dogs, and educational programs. Information about how Domesti-PUPS employs man’s best friend to impact our communities also will be available throughout the event, serving as a catalyst to help the general public better understand and appreciate the ways that dogs improve our lives.
For more information about the Domesti-PUPS I Love My Dog Expo, visit ilovemydogexpo.com, or contact Michelle O’Dea at info@domesti-pups.org. To learn more about Domesti-PUPS or to volunteer, visit domesti-pups.org.
Stephen Center Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Hearts that Heal Drive for Donations
With the help of community partners, Stephen Center is celebrating Valentine’s Day by encouraging the public to show some love to the homeless through the Hearts that Heal donation drive, February 8-19. Some of the items that Stephen Center needs donated are paper towels, toilet paper, over-the-counter medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), cough drops, coffee, cereal, feminine-hygiene products, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. “We’re in the long, cold part of winter right now,” said Stephen Center Executive Director Michael Wehling. “Stephen Center relies on donations of hygiene items, coffee, cereal, and more to care for hundreds of people on our campus daily.” Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center serves the homeless, addicted and those in poverty. The campus includes a homeless emergency shelter, inpatient/outpatient co-occurring treatment and permanent supportive housing for disabled and low-income individuals. In 2020, Stephen Center provided services to 1,278 men, women and children and served more than 200,000 meals to people experiencing homelessness, addiction and poverty. To participate in the donation drive, drop off items at Stephen Center’s donation dock, 2723 Q St., or at a drive host site (visit stephencenter.org/hearts for a list). A virtual drive, allowing people to shop from home and ship directly to Stephen Center, is also available at the same link.
Angels Among Us Chosen as PJ Morgan Real Estate’s Annual Charity Partner
Angels Among Us is pleased to announce its newest community partner, PJ Morgan Real Estate. Every year a new charity is chosen by their employees, and this year they have chosen to give back to the pediatric cancer families Angels Among Us serves. There will be various opportunities throughout the year for funds to be raised, such as company golf outing, themed days at work, paid lunches at work, etc. “We are excited to partner with Angels Among Us, our 2021 Charity of the Year! We look forward to enriching the community we love and live in by providing financial assistance to local families who face childhood cancer,” says Clint Collons, marketing director at PJ Morgan. PJ Morgan Real Estate is more than a brokerage firm. They are real estate professionals and take pride in assisting with "All Things Real Estate". From residential and commercial real estate transactions to property management, they can guide clients through all the challenges and opportunities that come their way. Angels Among Us is a Nebraska nonprofit that provides financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. Any family living in or being treated in Nebraska whose child has cancer is eligible to apply for financial support with mortgages, rent, and other expenses. In 2020, Angels Among Us provided $514,000 in support to over 125 families. For more information about ways to make an impact please contact Aly Theilen at alyssa@myangelsamongus.org.
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Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership (ENCAP) recently expanded the food distribution hours for the Bellevue Food Pantry, located at 1908 Hancock St. The food pantry will now be open on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and every first and third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. In order to keep compliance with COVID-19 regulations, ENCAP requests that pantry visitors place their ID and proof of address in the mail slot, and staff will bring their food basket out to them. ENCAP staff will be wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines, and they kindly request that all pantry visitors also wear masks for safety. For questions about ENCAP’s Bellevue Food Pantry or its new hours, please call (402) 292-2961. Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership (ENCAP) is a nonprofit community-based organization that has been providing social and human services to people facing poverty since 1965. For more information or to donate, call (402) 453-5656, visit encapnebraska.org, or follow them on Facebook (@encapnebraska).
Nebraska’s Animal Loving Advocates Rescues 96 Dogs and Cats Just in Time for Christmas
Nebraska’s Animal Loving Advocates (NALA) saved 96 animals in December—just in time for Christmas. Over the course of a week, Founder Angie Hospodka and volunteers provided shelter, medical coverage, nutrition, and love to these desperate animals and will work to find them safe, forever homes. Nearly 70 of the dogs and cats came from an Arkansas-based organization that was overwhelmed in the wake of the closure of a humane shelter in the area, and NALA agreed to help out. The Omaha-based NALA rescue organization saves animals from across the country and could not exist without the tireless efforts of volunteers and the generous contributions from donors, as NALA has 80 volunteers and no paid employees. The mission of Nebraska’s Animal Loving Advocates is to revolutionize the way people think about animals and animal rescue. NALA educates people about the NALA Founder Angie Hospodka dangers of puppy mills and the realities helps unload cats and dogs of backyard breeders, in their effort to that need forever homes. provide loving homes to all the dogs and cats they encounter, including the feral, the unwanted, the damaged, and the lost. NALA believes that every living creature not only deserves love but also has so much love to offer in return. NALA approaches this mission through their core values of love for all living things and faith that our culture can change, and together we can create a world where rescues are no longer needed. If you are interested in adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating, please visit www.nalarescue.org.
