Stories

This blog is guest written by Teresa Mardesen, executive director of SHARE Omaha

As we enter this new year, this is the perfect time to not only introduce myself but also re-introduce you to SHARE Omaha.

I, Teresa Mardesen, am the new executive director of SHARE Omaha. My first day on the job was the day before Giving Tuesday… talk about a whirlwind welcome!

I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the SHARE Omaha team into the future. SHARE Omaha’s ability to streamline everyday philanthropy – in terms of dollar donations, volunteering and wish list items – is so energizing. People in the metro area have always been extremely giving. I’m so delighted to be a part of SHARE Omaha connecting new supporters and nonprofits so that the community can benefit in radical ways.

Let me reintroduce you to SHARE Omaha.

SHARE Omaha is an online platform, here at SHAREomaha.org, that offers you a chance to connect directly to local nonprofits to learn volunteer needs, shop wish lists for items, rsvp to upcoming events and support their work financially.

All content on our website is generated by 740+ member nonprofits and they do not pay a dime for our services.

We hope you find the SHARE Omaha platform intuitive. The goal is to make it easy to find local nonprofits and allow you to engage with them how you choose. Think of us as the center for streamlining ways to do good in the community.

One thing we are proud of is that the SHARE Omaha site gives nonprofits a chance to be seen and heard, regardless of size, cause or budget. The user experience is randomized each time, which means new causes are always introduced and awareness is more balanced for our community’s different nonprofit.

So, if you want to get involved in the community, there’s no better time than at the beginning of 2023! You can easily sort and filter to find causes and opportunities that matter to you… give it a try here.

Did you know - Volunteering is philanthropy!  When you volunteer, you save nonprofits money, and allow them to use their nonprofit budgets, time and resources for their mission and the critical needs they are providing the community.

The pandemic reminded us there many ways to think about volunteering and engagement, and it doesn’t always need to happen in person.

For example, you are a good proofreader or writer, you could help a nonprofit with proofreading, social media posts for example, from where you are, over your lunch hour. We have many “virtual” volunteering opportunities available here.

There is no greater joy than helping others and by working together, we’ll keeping envisioning what is possible and make it happen.