NON-PROFIT NEWS
Boys Town Unveils Hall of History Redesign B oy s Tow n’s Hall of History recently unveiled The Dream Continues display. It is the first major upgrade since the museum was established in 1986 and was created by renowned museum designer, Jerry Eisterhold. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Feb. 9. The new display includes the work of the five directors of Boys Town to solve the changing issues facing Americans children and families throughout the decades and highlight the many reasons why children and families need the care of Boys Town programs through interactive video presentations, images, and other materials. The redesign also features a map of America showing the sites operated by the Home, the history and programs of the Boys Town National Research Hospital, and a centennial layout that will feature the Boys Town Centennial Commemorative coins which will be released next month. In 1986 at the bequest from the Henry Hess estate, the old dining hall, designed by Fr. Flanagan in 1939, was used to create the Hall of History museum. The original exhibits feature the Oscar presented to Spencer Tracy for his portrayal of Father Flanagan in the movie Boys Town and thousands of other images and artifacts that present the early history of Boys Town. For 100 years, Boys Town (www.BoysTown.org) has been a beacon of hope for America’s children and families through its life-changing youth care and health care programs. In 2016, almost 500,000 children and families across the United States were impacted by Boys Town programs.
Cross Training Center, Cross Electronic Recycling Team Up With Proseeds Cross Training Center is now listed among the local causes one can support through Proseeds, a platform where consumers can make purchases through companies, with a percentage going towards the causes that are most important to them—all within their own community. Sister organization Cross Electronic Recycling is also separately listed. Now you can automatically support Cross Training Center and Cross Electronic Recycling for free whenever you eat, shop, and play! Join Proseeds online at www.giveproseeds.com and every time you visit a participating local business, 5% of your purchase will be automatically donated back to your selected non-profits – without costing you an extra dime. It’s that easy! By signing up it will help Cross Training Center and Cross Electronic Recycling to provide more training and support services and enable the recycling of more electronic waste items that have environmental fees (such as old TVs and alkaline batteries). These initiatives have a positive impact right here in the Omaha Metro. Cross Training Center’s mission is to provide Solutions to Poverty through Work. Those served have experienced setbacks in life due to incarceration, homelessness, mental health disorders, human trafficking, challenging circumstances and generational poverty. Cross Training Center works to empower and equip them with skills and knowledge through character development, vocational training and real hands-on work experience. Learn more at www.crosstc.com. 30 Strictly Business MARCH 2017
Midlands Community Foundation’s 2017 Reflection Ball Raises More Than $120K M i d l a n d s C o m m u n i t y Foundation’s 2017 Re f l e c t i o n B a l l , held on January 21 at the Embassy Suites in LaVista, raised more than $120,000. An estimated 500 guests attended the gala. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the MCF General Fund. Through MCF’s grants program, proceeds will support the needs of non-profit organizations s e r v i n g S a r py and Cass counties in the areas of a r t , c o m m u n i t y, e c o n o m i c development, education, health and human services. At the event, the 2017 Reflection Award was presented to Va l e r i e a n d D o n B e l l i n o fo r their comm unity involvement and p h i l a n t h ro py. “We appreciate their vision and dedication to o u r c o m m u n i t y, particularly through all they have done in the area of economic development and their support of extracurricular activities for our youth,” said Tonee G ay, exe c u t i ve director.
Award Recipients (L-R) Tonee Gay, Executive Director, Midlands Community Foundation; Patrick and Kathy Sullivan, Honorary Chairs; Don and Valerie Bellino, 2017 Reflection Award Recipients.
Reflection Ball Committee (L-R) Front Row: Ken Summerfield, Bindy Frederick, Martha Sopinski, Donna Wilcox, Mary Gawecki, Kyle Black, Diane Knicky. Back Row: Brenda Carlson, Jan Davis, Lori Pankonin, Pattie Iske, Carrie Krist, Kris Zey, Jackie Davis, Leanne Sotak, Jill Govier.
Past Reflection Award Recipients (L-R) Front Row: Karen Olson, Evonne Williams, Joann Fricke, Marian Fricke, Cherie Metschke, Kyle Black, Donna Wilcox, Lori Pankonin, Lisa Strohmyer, Valerie Bellino. Back Row: Al Schmid, Dr. Michael Westcott, Ken Molzer, Bill Williams, Milt Fricke, Charles Fricke, Dr. Harlan Metschke, Dr. Rick Black, Dr. Chuck Wilcox, Dave Pankonin, Dr. Jeffry Strohmyer, Don Bellino.
As 2017 marked MCF’s 35th Annual Reflection Ball, Karla Rupiper, MCF Board president and Mary Gawecki, MCF Board past president recognized all past Reflection Award recipients who were in attendance. The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement and service. For more information, contact Diane Knicky, Director of Operations and Public Relations, at (402) 991-8027 or visit www. MidlandsCommunity.org.