Stories

We asked local nonprofits to share photos and videos of their mission in action. We received hundreds of visual representations of the amazing work local organizations are doing in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro. Our partners at Frost Media Group selected as many of these photos as possible and hit the streets to film volunteers doing good in the metro. The result? These three commercials that you may see on KETV this month!  

Watch all 45 seconds, see how many organizations you can identify and then read on below to learn more about them and see how you can help.

SHARE Omaha August 2019 Commercial #1 from SHARE Omaha on Vimeo.

 

SHARE Omaha August 2019 Commercial #2 from SHARE Omaha on Vimeo.

 

American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge Nebraska has saved patients and caregivers over $1 million in lodging costs. The Hope Lodge is more than a roof and four walls; the heartbeat lives in the dedicated volunteers who turn the Lodge into a temporary home. Read our Hope Lodge Volunteer Highlight and sign up to volunteer!

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Nebraska
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Nebraska Chapter is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. To support this effort, sign up to volunteer with AFSP.

Angels Among Us
Angels Among Us provides financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling cancer. Start serving with Angels Among Us by helping for two hours with their Gala clean up on September 20th.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful mentor matches between adult volunteers and children. If you’ve considered mentoring, learn more about becoming a Big Brother, Big Sister or Big Couple!

Connections Area Agency on Aging
Connections Area Agency on Aging enhances the quality of life for elders through education, planning and coordination of services. Friendly visitors are always needed! Sign up to volunteer with Connections Area Agency on Aging.

Dreamweaver Foundation
Dreamweaver Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of seniors who are terminally ill. As a Dream Team volunteer, you could send a dreamer off on a bucket list trip to swim in the ocean for the first time or host a gathering that reconnects loved ones. No dream is too small; sign up to join the Dream Team!

Felius Cat Café
Felius is a cat café and rescue organization whose mission is to revolutionize Omaha's cat adoption experience, providing a stress-free quality experience for our feline friends awaiting adoption. Want to play with the kitties? Sign up to volunteer with Felius Cat Café.

Grief’s Journey
Grief’s Journey is a welcoming, safe place where grieving children, teens and adults find hope. Grief’s Journey relies on volunteers to support its free programs and currently needs group facilitators, event volunteers, facility volunteers and development committee members. Learn more about volunteering with Grief’s Journey.

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha
Habitat Omaha is dedicated to increasing affordable housing in our community. They build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter, unlocking greater outcomes in health, employment, and education. Go see nine ways you can volunteer for Habitat Omaha!

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska provides quality human care services that build and strengthen individual, family and community life. Their service areas include children services, community services and behavioral health. Volunteers are always needed. See Lutheran Family Services volunteer opportunities here.

Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA)
HETRA improves the quality of life both physically and emotionally of adults and children of all ability levels through equine assisted activities. Whether you would enjoy assisting with barn maintenance or volunteering as a side-walker during adaptive riding sessions, there are many HETRA volunteer opportunities available now. 

Intercultural Senior Center
The Intercultural Senior Center believes that all elders deserve dignity, wellness and the opportunity to share their talents and wisdom with others. Their services include transportation, life-long learning, exercise classes, nutritious lunches, social services, cultural enrichment activities and a monthly food pantry. It’s easy to volunteer for a little over an hour and serve lunch with a smile! Sign up here.

Joslyn Art Museum
Joslyn Art Museum collects, preserves and interprets visual arts and provides learning opportunities for youth and families, students and under-served groups. Discover ways you can volunteer at Joslyn Art Museum.

Kids Can Community Center
Kids Can educates, engages and inspires children through early childhood care and out-of-school experiences. Kids Can mentors meet with youth once a week to provide guidance, support and encouragement. Sign up to mentor with Kids Can.

Martin-Graves Bellevue American Legion Post 339
Bellevue American Legion Post 339 runs a monthly Bingo and a food pantry to benefit the residents living at the Victory Apartments in Omaha. These apartments offer subsidized housing for homeless and low-income veterans. To support this effort, volunteer to assist with Bellevue American Legion Post 339’s food pantry.

MICAH House
MICAH House is an emergency family shelter in Council Bluffs. They provide a safe and nurturing environment with support services for families and individuals experiencing the crisis of homelessness. You can serve MICAH House as a donation van driver, kitchen helper and more. See MICAH House volunteer needs here.

Midlands Humane Society
Midlands Humane Society in Council Bluffs works to alleviate animal suffering, re-homing animals in need through well-matched adoptions and educating the public about the proper care of companion animals. Dog walkers and cat lovers are always needed! Learn more about volunteering at Midlands Humane Society.

National Hemophilia Foundation – Nebraska Chapter
The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) Nebraska Chapter is dedicated to finding better treatments for bleeding disorders and preventing complications through education, advocacy and research. Volunteers are needed for their Bleeding Disorders Walk on September 21st. Sign up to volunteer here.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, provides a world-class wildlife experience that engages, educates and inspires more than two million visitors each year to conserve and protect our natural world. If you’re like minded, become a Zoo volunteer!

Omaha Parks Foundation
The Omaha Parks Foundation helps facilitate donations and creates awareness of issues that our parks, trails and green spaces face. There are many upcoming events, including doggie dips and try-athalons for kids under six. Join in the fun and volunteer with the Omaha Parks Foundation.

OneWorld Community Health Centers
OneWorld Community Health Centers provides culturally respectful, quality health care with special attention to the underserved. Volunteers are needed to assist with childcare, the baby boutique, the food pantry and more. Sign up here to volunteer with OneWorld Community Health Centers.

Paralyzed Veterans of America – Great Plains Chapter
Paralyzed Veterans of America - Great Plains Chapter provides advocacy, veteran benefits, and sports and recreation for paralyzed veterans and other individuals living with disabilities. A $10 donation can fund a week of wheelchair bowling league lane fees for one person. Give now.

Pottawattamie County Community Foundation
Pottawattamie County Community Foundation (PCCF) is a partnership of rural and urban citizens dedicated to improving the lives of all residents by supporting and stimulating donor-driven philanthropy.

Radio Talking Book Service Inc
Radio Talking Book Service (RTBS) provides human-voiced information choices for individuals with disabilities that prevent them from reading. Readers are always needed! Sign up to volunteer with Radio Talking Book Service here.

Rapid Response: Omaha’s Disaster Relief Team
Omaha Rapid Response deploys to natural and man-made disasters, locally and nationally, to provide compassionate relief and humanitarian aid in the midst of crisis and disaster. Volunteers are still needed for flood clean-up and building. Sign up to serve with Omaha Rapid Response here.

Whispering Roots
Whispering Roots uses aquaculture, hydroponics and urban agriculture next-generation technology to teach children and under-served communities how to breed fish sustainably and grow vegetables affordably. Many Whispering Roots volunteer opportunities are available, including a position as Monstro’s nanny. (Monstro is a Giant Albino Tilapia.)