Courtney Cleveringa is the Director of Community Outreach for Make-A-Wish Nebraska.
Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Nebraska has granted over 3,200 wishes to children with a critical illness here in Nebraska. A wish brings strength, hope and joy to a child and their family when they need it most. They get the chance to not worry about anything medical related and spend time having fun dreaming up their wish and having it come true. Courtney oversees a wide range of tasks at Make-A-Wish Nebraska including our Medical Intake, Onboarding all Wish Families, Training Volunteers and Fundraising.
Courtney graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May of 2017. She has been with Make-A-Wish Nebraska since May of 2019.
Bring on Spring! We are all very thankful for the warm weather this week. Let's hope this cycle stays with us until Spring. It is so refreshing to drive by a lake and see the ripple of waves instead of a solid sheet of ice. It reminds me of Rotary's focus during the month of March on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
Through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program, Rotary's people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships and invest in infrastructure and training that yields long term change. The Rotary Foundation, with your support, is changing the world by providing grants for projects and activities around the world and in your own backyard. Since 2013, the Rotary Foundation has invested more than $130 million in over 2, ooo WASH projects worldwide. Through this investment, our volunteers of action have improved access to safely managed and basic WASH services to communities, schools and healthcare facilities, while protecting and conserving water resources.
We truly are "People of Action" bringing positive change around the world!
Our district leadership is focused on our strategic plan, which includes training the next group of Rotary leaders in our district. DGE Robert Rapp will be hosting our District Team Training and President-Elect Training in March. Please make sure your club leaders are in attendance to help gain the skills and help transition club leadership in July.
I was able to participate with a number of Rotarians this last weekend in the meal packaging project to support Heartland Kids Against Hunger. It gives me pride to see so many Rotarians give of their time and resources to come together for a multi-club service project. Keep up the great work as "People of Action" and remember to use those Public Image resources to post about the great work we are doing in our community. Invite prospective members to your club meetings and service projects and show them the impact we have on our communities as the largest service organization in the world!
Omaha, NE, By Yolanda Hoffman – In an extraordinary display of service and teamwork, over 130 Rotarians, along with their families and friends, came together on February 22, 2025, for the Multi-Club Rotary Meal Packaging Project in partnership with Kids Against Hunger. Their collective efforts resulted in a staggering 46,655 meals packaged, reinforcing Rotary’s commitment to making a tangible difference in the fight against hunger.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from members of Omaha Downtown, Millard, Morning, Suburban, and West Rotary Clubs, who worked tirelessly across multiple shifts to ensure the success of this initiative. Volunteers donned hairnets, measured ingredients, sealed bags, and packed boxes—each meal destined to provide nourishment to those in need in our immediate community.
“This was an incredible day of service,” said Brett Wawers, Project Coordinator. “To see so many hands working together for such a meaningful cause truly embodies Service Above Self.”
The energy in the room was contagious as Rotarians, young and old, worked side by side, proving once again that service is at the heart of Rotary. With group photos capturing the spirit of camaraderie and action shots showcasing the dedication of volunteers, the day was not just about packaging meals—it was about strengthening community bonds and living out Rotary’s mission of service.
Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves to make this event a success. Thank you to Omaha Morning Rotarians participation: Mike Benck, Lisa Hatterman, Yolanda Hoffman, Robert Rapp, Bill Schenk, Aaron Tomita, and Sachi Verma. Your efforts are feeding thousands and leaving a lasting impact. Together, we are changing lives—one meal at a time!
Shift 1
Shift 2
Shift 3
The packaging table of Mike Benck and Lisa Hatterman
The Rotary Club of Omaha Morning, led by Jonathan Johnson during the 2023-2024 Rotary Year, was honored with the Rotary International Citation Award at the recent Rotary District Conference. This recognition highlights the club's commitment to enhancing member engagement, expanding Rotary's impact through community-focused projects, and fostering growth within the club. Additionally, it acknowledges the club's adaptability and the generosity of its members toward The Rotary Foundation.
Immediate Past President Jonathan Johnson receiving the Rotary Citation from District Governor Tom Kerfoot
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