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Angels Among Us, a beacon of hope and support, was born out of compassion and the desire to alleviate the burdens faced by families navigating the tumultuous waters of pediatric cancer. Founded in April 2006 by a compassionate woman who witnessed the challenges faced by her friend's family during their own harrowing journey, the organization swiftly gained momentum, obtaining 501c3 status just two months later in June of the same year.
From its humble beginnings as a grassroots initiative, Angels Among Us has evolved into a formidable force for good, extending its reach to encompass nearly all pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment in Nebraska. However, the organization's impact transcends state lines, offering assistance not only to families within Nebraska but also to residents who seek treatment outside the state.
Central to Angels Among Us' mission is the unwavering commitment to provide tangible support to families grappling with the emotional and financial toll of childhood cancer. Through the collective efforts of dedicated board members, selfless community volunteers, and generous donors, Angels Among Us has been able to disburse close to $5 million in aid, providing a lifeline to nearly 700 families in their darkest hours.
In essence, Angels Among Us epitomizes the spirit of solidarity and compassion, serving as a shining example of how communities can band together to uplift and support those in need. As we continue our journey, guided by the ethos of people helping people, we remain steadfast in our mission to be the guardian angels for families facing the unimaginable challenges of pediatric cancer. Together, we stand as beacons of hope, proving that even in the darkest of times, there are indeed angels among us.
Recently, Mary Bernier introduced the newest Rotarian, Kevin Hensel. Kevin Hensel is a Senior Consultant with Better Culture and Mindset LLC, two prominent leadership and consulting firms with clients spanning from entrepreneurial startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Kevin is adamant that people are an organization’s greatest asset and has spent his career working with companies, in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, to increase performance through the development of individuals and organizations via training, coaching and strategic leadership initiatives.
Experienced as a national speaker, Kevin is a certified John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer. He earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM).
Kevin spent several enjoyable years as an adjunct faculty member at Nebraska Wesleyan University (the alma mater of his two grown children) teaching leadership and communications courses to non-traditional/adult learner students.
He and his wife, Laurie, spend most of their free time doting on their adorable granddaughter and their Cairn Terrier named Archie.
Kevin Hensel with his Rotary sponsor Mary Bernier and President Katie Henry
Thanks to the generosity of club members and other donors to the Foundation, we award 10 scholarships each year to students with special needs. The scholarships are $3,000 each, and can be renewed for up to two additional years. Please join us in honoring this year’s awardees at our annual Scholarship Luncheon on Thursday, April 18 at the Happy Hollow Club. This event takes the place of our weekly meeting, and double attendance credit will be given. The cost of the luncheon is $30. Clayton Anderson, retired astronaut and CEO/President of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, will serve as the emcee. Arrival time is between 11:30-11:45, with the program beginning at 11:45 am. We hope that you can attend this special event! The payment link is https://square.link/u/TPbd6tDG or click/tap here
For questions, please contact Scholarship Chair Carol Ebdon at cebdon@unomaha.edu.
We will be serving meals to staff and teachers at our Adopt a School Crestridge on March 28, 2024, Thursday, 4:30 AM - 6:00 PM. We need volunteers for this event; click here to sign up. For questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Project Chair Mary Bernier at inspiredgivingpro@gmail.com.
Thank you to those who have already donated to this year's fundraiser! You can donate online on our website under The Foundation at the top navigation DONATE HERE or at the Rotary meeting.
This week marks the second week of our Fundraiser at Rotary, where we rally support for The Suburban Rotary Club Charitable Foundation. The roots of our foundation trace back to 1988, a poignant moment when two members, reflecting on a tragic loss in the Colorado Rockies, envisioned a platform for tax-deductible contributions to fuel our club's philanthropic endeavors, particularly its scholarship program and other noble causes.
Our local Foundation's impact reverberates locally and globally, touching countless lives. For instance, in collaboration with neighboring Rotary clubs, we recently spearheaded the procurement and packaging of over 40,000 nutritious meals for the disadvantaged in our immediate community. Moreover, our Foundation's financial support extends to transformative initiatives in regions like India and Lebanon.
Every Suburban Rotarian is urged to contribute to our Club Foundation, with the aim of achieving 100% participation this year, regardless of the donation amount. Joining the President's Scholarship Circle requires an annual contribution of $300, which signifies your dedication to our shared mission of making a positive impact at home and abroad. CLICK HERE TO DONATE ANY AMOUNT YOUR HEART DESIRES.
Most North American plant species depend on insects, predominantly bees, for pollination. “Your whole food web is supported by bees,” says Dave Hunter, a member of the Rotary Club of Woodinville, Washington. The club leads a project that nourishes bees while beautifying the Seattle suburb. Members use donated wine barrels to construct planters to attract pollinators. Local businesses can sign up to have one placed at their storefront for a donation of $150 a year to the club’s foundation. The planters have QR codes that take visitors to information on the club’s website about the program and pollinators’ importance. “We are not just putting planters out; we’re educating through them,” says Hunter, proprietor of Crown Bees, which sells bees, bee houses, and other materials. The club also partnered with the city, businesses, a garden club, and a nonprofit organization to host a Pollinator Fest in May that attracted about 500 people to hear the latest buzz on bees.
Canada
The Rotary Club of Olds, Alberta, is livening up its process for awarding grants to community groups. In November, representatives of about a dozen organizations pitched their proposals at a contest modeled on Dragons’ Den, a CBC television program (much like Shark Tank in the U.S.) in which venture capitalists judge entrepreneurs’ proposals for investment. The organizations were allotted five minutes to make their pitch, followed by five minutes of questioning by a panel of Rotarian “dragons,” or judges. Club President Randy Smith concedes that the awardees would have received their share of the roughly $10,000 regardless of who won. But he says the spirited affair gave the groups, including Interactors and fire department cadets, an opportunity to hone their presentation skills and showcase their creativity.
Recently, the Rotary Clubs of Omaha, Omaha Suburban, and Omaha West joined forces to fund and assemble an impressive total of over 42,000 meals for Heartland Kids Against Hunger. This remarkable endeavor wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and support of over 120 Rotarians, their families, and friends who generously volunteered their time and energy to package these meals.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all those who contributed to the Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation, the Rotary Foundation, and those who actively participated in the packaging process. Your generosity and commitment to service have made a significant impact on addressing hunger in our community.
To commemorate this inspiring event, here are some snapshots capturing the moments of collaboration and goodwill:
We believe good health care is everyone’s right. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care.
Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. We lead efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and healthcare access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.
Our members combat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important, which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care.
HOW ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPEN
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases. Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time.
For over three and a half decades, Rotary International has tirelessly dedicated itself to the noble cause of eradicating polio from our planet. Since our inception in this monumental mission in 1979, when we initiated vaccinations for six million children in the Philippines, Rotary has been at the forefront of the battle against this debilitating disease.
Through unwavering commitment and global collaboration, Rotary, alongside its partners in health and humanitarian efforts, has made remarkable strides in reducing polio's grip on humanity. Today, our collective efforts have brought us to a critical juncture where the dream of a polio-free world is within reach.
Despite the progress made, challenges persist, particularly in regions like Afghanistan and Pakistan, where polio remains endemic. However, Rotary remains resolute in its determination to overcome these obstacles and achieve our ultimate goal.
Rotary's efforts extend far beyond the mere distribution of vaccines. We have spearheaded community engagement initiatives, advocated for increased funding and support, and worked tirelessly to ensure that every child receives the life-saving polio vaccine regardless of their circumstances.
As we continue our journey towards a polio-free world, Rotary invites individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide to join us in this historic endeavor. Together, we can turn the tide against polio, safeguarding future generations from its devastating effects and leaving behind a legacy of health, hope, and resilience for all.
In June 1999, a year after I joined the staff of Rotary International, I attended my first convention. It was then that I first witnessed the global power of Rotary and made my first batch of Rotary friends. And it was then that I was introduced to Singapore for a second time.
My first trip to Singapore occurred five years earlier when, as a journalist, I covered the third Europe-East Asia Economic Summit. At that time, Western financial media were referring to Singapore as the 20th century’s most successful development story, which meant that the summit lured scores of policymakers, economists, and businesspeople from across Europe and Asia.
Once a British Crown colony which subsequently merged with Malaysia, Singapore broke away and was founded as an independent sovereign nation in 1965. Despite predictions that a string of small islands that lack natural resources to survive, Lee Kwan Yew, who was referred to as the founding father of modern Singapore, turned the tattered outpost of the faded empire into a thriving modern nation. The archipelago of 64 islands that was once plagued by malaria and rife with ethnic conflicts among its Chinese, Malay, and Indian populations, now stands as a gleaming city state, known in the 1990s throughout the world as one of the four Asian Tigers for its robust economic transformation along with Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Having grown up in China, where decades of Mao’s draconian rule had impoverished the country, I, along with millions of other Chinese, became enamored of the Singapore model of economic success. My first impression of Singapore in 1994, which will forever be associated with the brightly illuminated skyscrapers that dotted the banks of the Singapore River, confirmed my belief that this was a place of modernity and prosperity.
Consider visiting another Rotary club for a make-up! Rotary.org has a club finder for locations around the world. Please see the District website at rotarydistrict5650.org for details on local clubs. Visit one of the following Metro-Area Clubs!
Monday: Omaha Millard Rotary, 12:00 pm, German American Society, 3717 South 120th St.
Tuesday: Omaha Morning 7:00 am, 88 Tactical, 15350 Shepard St., Suite 1, Omaha NE 68138
Tuesday: Omaha Northwest, 12:00 pm, Sand Point, New England Fare, 655 North 114th Street. Omaha, NE 68154
Wednesday: Omaha Downtown, 12:00 pm, Trinity 113 N 18th St., Omaha, NE 68124
Wednesday: Council Bluffs Centennial: 7:00 am, Hy-Vee Community Room 1745 Madison Avenue Thursday: West Douglas County, 12:00 PM Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation 20272 Veterans Drive
Thursday: Council Bluffs, 12:00 pm, Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 South 6th Street
Friday: Omaha West, 12:00 pm, Charlie's on the Lake, 4151 S 144th St., Omaha, NE 68137
Email Yolanda for make-up/attendance credit at yolanda@suburbanrotary.org.
Aly Thielen
Recently, Mary Bernier introduced the newest Rotarian, Kevin Hensel. Kevin Hensel is a Senior Consultant with Better Culture and Mindset LLC, two prominent leadership and consulting firms with clients spanning from entrepreneurial startups to Fortune 500 companies.
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