2024 Annual Report
The Metro Area Youth Foundation was started in 2006 to provide financial aid to families fighting childhood cancer in one of the pediatric cancer units at Children’s Nebraska or Nebraska Medicine.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, 2024 was a remarkable year for the Metro Area Youth Foundation. With the help of dedicated donors, volunteers, and community partners, we raised significant funds to support families battling childhood cancer.
From the inaugural Cars & Guitars Bash, which brought car and music enthusiasts together, to the beloved Wine Splash and our impactful year-end Midlands Mash, every event played a crucial role in making a difference. Additionally, generous foundation support ensured that 100% of event donations directly benefited families in need.
We are truly grateful for your ongoing support and look forward to another year of giving and impact in 2025!
Cars & Guitars Bash: 23%
In 2024, we were blessed with the amazing support of Peter Fink, who allowed us to share his impressive collection of American muscle cars, autographed guitars and other memorabilia. We are so grateful for our volunteers who garnered the support of many corporations and metro area Optimist Clubs to make this first time event a great success! We hope you can join us on May 1, 2025 when we host another Cars & Guitars Bash at Peter Fink’s Private Museum.
Your Impact by Source: IN 2024,
YOUR GIFTS
Midlands Mash: 12%
For the last few years, we have joined the Midlands Community Match Program for our end of year appeal. Because of your donations at the end of year, Metro Area Youth Foundation garnered a $4,297 matching gift from the Midlands Community Foundation. Join us for the next Midlands Mash December 2025January 2026!
TOTALED $224,394 Foundation & Other Support: 26%
Wine Splash: 39%
We know there are wonderful wineries in the Midwest, but we love our partnership with Bella Terre Vineyards and Hy-Vee Council Bluffs and that is why we are hosting our annual Wine Splash there again in 2025. Join us on September 14, 2025 at 2 pm for another amazing Wine Splash!
Who You Made an Impact For:
Sylvi K., 3
Sylvi was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on May 8, 2024. The youngest of three, she looks up to her siblings, Whitney (5) and Will (8). Sylvi loves Rapunzel, collecting rocks, dancing, swimming, singing, and playing with her big sister, embracing joy and adventure every day.
Lilia P., 6
Lilia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on May 12, 2023. As a first-grader, she loves her family, her dog Pepper, and enjoys pears, strawberries, and watermelon. She finds joy in playgrounds and swimming, embracing each day with energy and love.
Joe M., 18
A Silver City, Iowa native, Joe is a devoted sports fan, golfer, and man of faith. Diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma in 2021, he has undergone 24 major surgeries and countless treatments. Though not cancer-free, his unwavering faith and resilience continue to guide his journey toward recovery.
Where
NEBRASKA IOWA KANSAS
$113,398 in financial aid to alleviate the burden of essential needs bills for 94 families in 29 cities:
$16,206 in financial aid to alleviate the burden of essential needs bills for 14 families in 9 cities:
$1,995 in financial aid to alleviate the burden of essential needs bills for 1 family in 1 city: Summerfield
Elkhorn Fairbury
Gibbon Glenvil
Gothenburg Grand Island
Schuyler
Sutton
Tecumseh Wahoo
$60,311 utility/phone/ internet bills paid
$8,152 miscellaneous bills paid
IN 2024, YOU BASHED 423 BILLS FOR 109 FAMILIES
$27,509 auto-related bills paid
$35,626 home-related bills paid
Thank You for Your Support!
Corporate & Foundation Support:
Your partnership fuels our mission, giving families battling childhood cancer financial stability so they can prioritize healing and hope.
VISIONARY ($10,000+)
American Endowment Association
The Sherwood Foundation
BENEFACTOR ($5,000 - $9,999)
Lozier Community Grants
Prairie Wealth Management
ADVOCATE
Parker Family Foundation
The Ethel S Abbott
Charitable Foundation
($1,500 - $4,999)
Sanwick Remodeling
Sid Dillion Chevrolet
Ag Processing Inc
Northrup Grumman
Midlands Community Foundation
SPONSOR ($500 - $1,499)
Abbvie
Bellweather Wealth
Management
HDR, Inc
Danielson Tech Supply
Jackson Petersen, Merrill Lynch
PARTNER
A Beautiful Life Group
Mark Francoeur, Koca Chiropractic
Agland Acres
Blossoms, Inc
Hammel Insurance Services
Strawhecker Nonprofit Services
Arbor Bank
Broadmoor
Security National Bank
Everlast Optimist Supporters:
Our roots are deep with a history of being founded by Metro Area Optimist Club members and 18 years later, you are the greatest champions of support. Your commitment to optimism shines through your generosity, helping families fight childhood cancer without the added burden of unpaid bills.
BENEFACTOR ($5,000 - $9,999)
Council Bluffs Optimist Club Miracle Hills Optimist Club
ADVOCATE ($1,500 - $4,999)
Riverside Optimist Club
Omaha West Optimist Club Optimist Club of Omaha Youth Foundation
SPONSOR ($500 - $1,499)
Breakfast Club of Omaha Optimist Club
Gretna Optimist Club
PARTNER
Griswold Optimist Club
Keast Auto Center
Pearce Financial
Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc
Builder’s Supply
R Farm Distilling
Midwest Labs
Silvia Poutre -Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate
Plattsmouth Optimist Club
Papillion LaVista Optimist Club
Individual Donors:
Your generosity provides a lifeline for families battling childhood cancer, ensuring they have the resources they need to stay strong and supported.
VISIONARY ($10,000+)
Marty & Ginny Reagan
BENEFACTOR ($5,000 - $9,999)
Peter Fink
Sharon & Hank Schwarz
Linda Wheeler
ADVOCATE ($1,500 - $4,999)
Al & Sue Penner
Gary & Becky Unger
Walt Keast
George & Deb Volz
J Keith & Deb Spackler
Larry & Kathy Courtnage
Marvin & Corrine Wastell
Jerry & Karen Bexten
Scott Simmelink
Carol Sorensen
Julie & Kevin Pearce
Mark & Diana Scheetz
Lori & Gary Blum
SPONSOR ($500 - $1,499)
Karen & Terrence Ficenec
Alan & Connie Gardner
Stephanie & Chris
Anderson
Leisha Brockman
Lowell & Debbie Forristall
Larry & Becky Weak
George Eckert
Gerry Tomka
Terry Voss
Gary & Diane Forristall
Anthony McKenzie
Robert & Paulette Labedz
PARTNERS
Grant Pille
Marcia Burgett
Marvin & Barbara Clark
Jasmine Malouf
Glenn Turner
Janet Voelker
Susan & Doug Couron
Lowell & Velda Husz
John Wieland & Sue
Kinney-Wieland
Steve Kohler
Marilyn Mickey
John Snowdon
Eric & Zack Raasch
Helen Ott & Jimmy Brasch
Jennifer & Kevin Feuquay
Mark Funkhouser
Lee Grimes
Margaret Jaeckel
Douglas Pick
Margo Richter
Patricia Billings
Debbie Keast
Mike & Karen McCreery
Herb & Janelle Miller
John Hearn
Tony & Liz Graves
Connie Mansfield
Tom & Kym Bybee
Janet Reinig & Jody Ruckman
Paul & Karen Keller
Ron Niederhaus
Bob Anderson
Linda & Dan Boehle
Shayne Fili
Lorraine Planck
Sandra Allen
Nadine & Gerry Baker
Marsha & Dean Beecher
Sharon & Robert Bruning
Don Buscher
Chad & Anne Collette
Keith Cook
Gary Gauger
Richard Gilmore
James Gunderson
Robert Hahn
Traci Harrison
Craig & Lisa Hummel
Terry & Lori Kirkpatrick
Mary Knight
Kay Kriss-Weinstein
Nick & Dawn Larson
Rodney & Sherryl
Longacre
Robert & Jackie Maline
Holly & Kevin Meyer
Steve Molck
Henry Moore
Art & June Neppl
Matthew O’Daniel
Kami Piechota
Terry & Marlene
Richardson
Barb & Lee Sayer
Tanya Shaul
Kurt & Caroline Stamp
Carol & Tammy Tibbles
Julie Trent
Mark & Ginger Unverzagt
Traci & Sergio Vellani
Darlene VonWeihe
David & Susan Wagner
Dave & Joel Wahling
Theodore & Carol Wehrbein
Lisa Irwin-Fletcher
Gwen Foxall
Bob & Kim Kamphouse
Jan & Dave Roos
Wendy Townley
Bob Kossow
Terri & Steve Zimmerle
Rob Ames
Mike Ashbaugh
Ted Baer
David Blatney
Brooks Call
Brian Carney
Bill & Jane Cheese
Jared Denny
Don Dotson
Scott Erikson
Alan Gilmore
Aaron Hanson
William Hiller
Jason James
David Johnson
Marlene Kaplan
Dean & Lynn Larson
Pete Larson
Amanda Lindsay
Faith Louis
Tim Madden
Larry Madsen
Craig Mickey
Larry & Carol Miller
Gerik Moeller
Jeffrey Nelson
James Otto
Don Perry
Richard Raasch
Amy Shepard
Eric Smith
Mark Smith
Laura Steffes
Karen Stott
Bruce Wilkie
Teresa Engel
Fred Uhe
Sheila Bolmeier
Mike Howard
Steven Howard
Dan Koenig
Ron Morss
Kylie & Andrew Nelson
Ronald Nelson
Ronald Rosberg
Ivan Wineglass
Mike & Monica Yankus
Theresa Scheetz
Jacqueline Clerc
Board of Directors:
Thank you to our Board of Directors, who work tirelessly year after year to continue on our mission to provide financial support to families fighting childhood cancer. In 2024, we welcomed two new members to the board, Trent Pearce and Gary Unger.
In 2025, Andrew Galvin will continue his leadership as President. We are grateful for the dedication of our board members continuing to support families battling pediatric cancer: Pat Billings, Secretary, Jerry Bexten, Margaret Jaeckel, Connie Mansfield, Trent Pearce, Sue Penner, Grant Pille, Richard Raasch, Marty Reagan, Mark Scheetz, Hank Scwartz, and Gary Unger. We are also thankful for the wise counsel from our advisors: Sue Kinney-Wieland, Al Penner, and Linda Wheeler.