Monsters Ball
Eighteen sand sculptures help Nebraska Children’s Home raise $90,000
Story courtesy of The Omaha Children’s Museum. Photos by Corey Ross.
Story and photos courtesy of Nebraska Children’s Home Society.
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maha Children’s Museum’s 2011 “For the Kids” benefit in May, themed Monsters Ball, drew a record crowd of more than 600 people and raised more than $255,000 for the museum. The Monsters Ball theme was carried out in every aspect of the event from the spooky table decorations to the monster candy buffet with Eyeball Tote Bags for all guests. “We are truly humbled by the support for the museum and overwhelming success of the 32nd annual For the Kids Benefit,” said Lindy Hoyer, Omaha Children’s Museum executive director. The museum’s Rainbow Connectors Guild plans and presents the benefit each year. This year’s chairpersons from the volunteer group were Christie Oberto, Beth Ochsner and Jennifer Simmons. Honorary chairpersons were Peggy and David Sokol. The evening featured silent and oral auctions. Highlight items included vacation packages to Colorado, Las Vegas and Hilton Head, as well as packages featuring Blue Sushi, Catering Creations, Red Sky Music Festival and tickets to “The Tonight Show.” An exclusive package including a trip for four to Washington D.C. was auctioned off by U.S. Senator Ben Nelson. Funds raised from the event will be used to sustain the museum’s permanent exhibits as well as its ongoing programs. For more information visit http://www.ocm.org.
Top: Honorary chairs Peggy and David Sokol with Children’s Museum Executive Director Lindy Hoyer. Above: Bo and Beth Ochsner, Christie and Gustavo Oberto and Jennifer and Tom Simmons. Beth, Christie and Jennifer were the event chairs. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
Sand in the City
Omaha Children’s Museum’s “For the Kids” benefit raises more than $255,000
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ebraska Children’s Home Society’s Sand in the City©
event again brought a mini-beach to downtown Omaha, 10th & Capitol Avenue, in June. Organizers estimate the event raised more than $90,000 to support the programs and services of the Nebraska Children’s Home Society. Eighteen 15-ton sand sculptures were created by 333 members of the corporate and nonprofit community. The weekend’s Family Fun Days on Saturday and Sunday drew 16,000 visitors and each had a chance to vote for their favorite sculpture in the People’s Choice Award. The judges honored the following: • 1st Place–Millard Drywall Service • 2nd Place–Kiewit Engineering Co. • 3rd Place–Kiewit Underground District • Rookie Team of the Year–Baird Holm LLP • Team Designer of the Year–Jon Kathol with the Westside High School Theater team • People’s Choice Award – Lund Company
Top: Sand coaches carve the 40-ton grand display. Above: The finished grand display.
july/august • 2011
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