Denise Powel Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic Party
Denise Powell is a mom, small business owner, former corporate executive, public school champion and healthcare advocate who knows that a strong work ethic and a love of family and community is the Nebraska way of life. She also knows the Good Life is getting harder to come by. It’s why she left a successful career in corporate America to focus on fighting for what makes Nebraska such a special place to live and raise a family. After Trump’s election in 2016, she founded an organization that has supported hundreds of Nebraskans running for local office, protected our public schools and the families they serve, and helped stop extremists from passing abortion bans in the state.
Denise is running for Congress because while our representatives say they’re fighting for us in Nebraska, they’re voting against us in Washington, DC. Every day, we see more of our friends and neighbors struggling to make ends meet while Donald Trump and MAGA extremists are focused on trade wars that are increasing our cost of living and passing massive tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk. Strong families, strong businesses, strong communities – they ALL require work and investment, but everything we’ve fought for here at home is under threat. From dismantling Medicaid and making it harder for seniors to get the benefits they’ve earned, to dismantling education — from the University of Nebraska to our public schools — to attacking our veterans and ripping away women’s rights, Denise is running to fight for the people of Nebraska. We don’t need lip service from politicians, we need action.
This month’s Rotary After Hours takes us somewhere a little unexpected. Fellow Rotarian and Forest Lawn Executive Director Brian Kruse is hosting us at Forest Lawn for an evening of fellowship in one of Omaha’s most distinctive and historic settings.
Forest Lawn is much more than a cemetery and funeral services provider. It is a place filled with Omaha history, remarkable architecture, and stories of many of the people who helped shape our community. Come enjoy a different kind of Rotary gathering, connect with fellow Rotarians, and bring your friends and family along for the experience.
Tuesday, October 20 | 4:30–6:00 PM Forest Lawn 7909 Mormon Bridge Rd. Omaha, NE 68152
Gamble Tech Firm Founder & Global CEO Tiffany Gamble is a visionary leader, workforce development strategist, and advocate for expanding opportunities for Black women and girls in technology. With more than two decades of experience in education, leadership, and community engagement, she is the founder of both Gamble Tech Firm and Emerging Ladies Academy, organizations dedicated to preparing underserved communities for the future of work through STEM, AI, digital skills, and career-connected learning.
Tiffany is passionate about creating pathways into tech careers through mentorship, workforce training, entrepreneurship, and innovative programming. Her work spans local and global initiatives, including partnerships in Nebraska and Ghana focused on empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders. Known for her bold vision and community-centered approach, Tiffany continues to champion economic mobility, representation, and access in the tech ecosystem.
Click here to purchase your tickets. Mark your calendar and bring your appetite! The Rotary Club of Omaha invites you to Mac & Mules: Create Lasting Impact! on Wednesday, October 28, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Lucky Bucket Brewing Co., 11941 Centennial Rd., LaVista.
This is more than a night of great food and drinks. It is an opportunity to enjoy an evening with friends while supporting two meaningful Rotary initiatives: the Eighth Grade Honor Roll and the 9/11 Memorial.
Guests can enjoy gourmet mac & cheese and signature mules, with ticket options for individuals, couples, VIP guests, and families. General admission starts at $40, VIP tickets include unlimited drinks and mac, and youth tickets make it easy to bring the whole family. Children 9 and under are free with one mac and soda included.
But we need more than attendance. We need your help filling the room.
Buy your tickets early, then help us spread the word. Invite a friend, bring your family, share the event with coworkers, forward it to neighbors, or make it a night out with another Rotary member. Every additional guest helps extend the impact of the event and introduces more people to the work Rotary is doing in our community.
Mac & Mules is designed to be fun, relaxed, and family-friendly, so you do not have to be a Rotarian to join us. In fact, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce someone to Rotary without bringing them to a meeting. Let them experience the fellowship, community spirit, and purpose behind what we do.
Ticket Options: General Admission is $40 for one ticket or $60 for two. VIP admission is $75 for one or $100 for two and includes unlimited drinks and mac. Youth ages 10 to 15 are $15 with unlimited mac and soda, while children 9 and under are free.
Come hungry. Bring people you enjoy. Help us Create Lasting Impact and make this an evening that translates directly into greater support for our community.
Are you new to the Club or know someone who recently joined? Join us for one of our upcoming New Member Orientation sessions! These meetings are a great opportunity to learn about the Club, discover member benefits, meet fellow members, and ask any questions you may have.
Upcoming Orientations:
Wednesday, October 7 at 11:00 am
Wednesday, October 28 at 11:00 am
Whether you're just getting started or would like a refresher, we encourage you to attend one of these sessions. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you make the most of your membership!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Yearling Chair Jill Slupe.
October is going to be a special month in District 5650, and I hope one of the highlights will be seeing many of you at Fusion 5650, our District Conference, October 23-24 in Ashland!
Our District Conference is more than an event on the calendar. It’s a chance to reconnect with Rotary friends, meet new ones, share ideas, celebrate what our clubs are accomplishing, and return home energized about what comes next. After spending the past several months visiting clubs throughout our District, I can tell you there is a lot worth celebrating!
As I write this, I’ve completed all but one of my official club visits. What an experience it has been! I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible things happening throughout our District, to hear your stories, meet your members, and learn more about the communities you serve.
And one message has come through loud and clear: Rotary creates impact when we see a need and decide to do something about it.
That fits perfectly with October’s Rotary focus on Economic and Community Development. Across our District, Rotarians are strengthening communities in ways large and small. Sometimes that means a major project. Sometimes it means supporting a local organization, creating opportunities for young people, helping a neighbor, or simply bringing the right people together to solve a problem.
October also brings us one of Rotary’s greatest examples of sustained impact: our commitment to ending polio. World Polio Day is October 24, right in the middle of our District Conference. It’s a wonderful opportunity to remember what Rotarians can accomplish when we commit ourselves to a goal and keep going.
Throughout my club visits, I’ve talked a lot about the difference between change and impact. Change is what we do. Impact is what happens because we did it.
As I near the end of my club visits, I’m even more convinced that District 5650 is filled with Rotarians who are making an impact every single day.
So this October, let’s celebrate that impact. Let’s celebrate our communities, renew our commitment to ending polio, and bring all of that Rotary energy together at Fusion 5650.
I hope to see you in Ashland!
Yours in Rotary, Gretchen Bren District Governor, Rotary District 5650
The Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation is now accepting grant applications for 2026-2027 Rotary year, with nearly $40,000 available to support projects that make a meaningful impact in education, veteran services, and senior citizen programs.
📅 Application Deadline: November 30, 2026 – Late submissions will not be accepted!
We invite community organizations and individuals to apply, recommend, or submit proposals for initiatives that align with our mission.
🔹 How to Apply: ✔ Review the grant criteria ✔ Complete the application form ✔ Submit by the deadline
For more details about the Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Foundation President Tobi Mathouser at 402-231-1972 or tmathouser@goodwillomaha.org.
Stephen Center partners with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Stephen Center has served the homeless and low-income in Omaha since 1984 through its three programs: Emergency Shelter, HERO Program, and Transitional Living Program. The Omaha Downtown Rotary partners with Stephens Center in serving hot meals to its residents.
September 1, 2026 volunteers at Stephen Center L to R: Brett Neely, Fletcher Reel, Scott Meyerson, Colin McArthur, Steve McCollister, Colleen Brennan, and Scott Kinnaird
Where three or more Rotarians gather, it's called a Rotary Social, and you earn attendance credits. Rotarians may come from different clubs. Connect with Rotarians and enjoy the power of Rotary fellowship. Below are our recent Rotary Socials.
New Member Meeting: First of a series: Scott Meyerson, Yolanda Hoffman, Hal France, Chris Frohardt, Julia Palzer, Carmen Sirizzotti
Rotarians at the Women’s Fund Luncheon.
Rotarians gather at the Goodwill Gala: Hannah Patterson, Matt Boulay, Kevin Baitey, Goodwill CEO Tobi Mathouser, Lisa Schiele, Craig Cope, and Ryan Lemmon
Habitat Women’s Build. From left to right: Lisa Schiele, First Lady Viv Ewing, and Mayor John Ewing.
Rotarians at Denise Powell’s Watch Party: (L–R) First Lady Viv Ewing, Mayor John Ewing, and Chris Rath.
Rotarians Meet Up at Church: (L–R) Matt Boulay, Hannah Patterson, and Sue Kutschkau
Rotarians meet up: Andrea Bellamy, Dakotah Smith and First Lady Viv Ewing
Rotarians at Creighton Prep Sports Banquet, L to R: Larry Guenther, Justin Dougherty, and Zac Treimert
Rotarians at the Citizen of the Year Awards: Former Mayor Hal Daub, Mayor John Ewing, and First Lady Viv Ewing
Rotarians connecting and catching up before the meeting L to R: Brad Burklund, Tom Adams, Colleen Brennan, Brett Frevert, Shelly Ruwe, and John Sullivan
Rotarians at the Walter Scott Jr. Citizen of the Year event, honoring the Cassling family. L to R: First Lady Viv Ewing, Mayor John Ewing, Chris Mehaffey, Jonathan Cartner
Rotarians at the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy Speaker Event at Baxter Arena: Chris Knauff, Susan Koesters, Sue Kutschau, and Howard Epstein (Suburban)
Rotarians at the Governor’s Summit: From left to right, Brett Frevert, Larry Guenther, and Shelly Ruwe.
The Rotary Club of Omaha is now recruiting more members! It's your opportunity to join the Rotary Club of Omaha, click here to complete the membership application form. For questions, please contact Membership Chair Sarah Robak at sarah.robakcfa@gmail.com.
American Express Online Giving
Archdiocesan Schools
Bennington Schools Foundation
Centris
Chase Bank
Club Foundation
Club Service Fund
CFO Systems
Creighton University
DA Davidson
Elkhorn Schools Foundation
EHPV
FNBO
Goodwill Industries
Jungle Driving
Metro Community College
Millard Schools Foundation
Omaha Massage Therapy
Omaha Public Schools Foundation
Ralston Schools Foundation
UNO College of Business Administration
Union Omaha
Westside Foundation
Individuals:
Anonymous Donor
Bill Harvey
Brad Burklund
Brett Frevert
Chris Rath
Colleen Brennan
Deb Skinner
Fletcher Reel
Fr. Lloyd Gnirk
Gretchen Harvey
Heidi McGinness
Jim Stewart
Jim Suttle
John Ewing
John Marburger
John Mock
Larry Guenther
Larry Johansen
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Mary Daub
Hal Daub
Paul Cohen
Randy Voorst
Randy Wieseler
Sandy Lemke
Todd Lemke
Scott Buchholz
Steve Carper
Steve McCollister
Tom Gouttierre
Viv Ewing
