Stories
Some call it stories. Others call it a blog. But here you'll find nuggets of goodness to use and -- you guessed it -- SHARE!

Volunteer stories: Omaha Rapid Response

Written by Katie Fourney    on August 27, 2019    in

The Internet is an amazing thing.

Every year, a group of Northwest Arkansas churches partner together for a mission trip and volunteer for a week. Early this summer they asked Google, ‘Where should we go? Who needs our help?’

They discovered this posting on SHARE Omaha. They were drawn to Omaha Rapid Response’s need for flood relief volunteers. Their 50 student and 20 adult volunteers could make a big difference in King Lake.
 


Turning fashion into action: Humble Lily

Written by Katie Fourney    on August 13, 2019    in
  
The Humble Lily is an Omaha gem that is becoming not-so-secret. The Humble Lily is an immaculate boutique at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 114 in Shaker Place that sells lightly used women’s clothing. The proceeds from The Humble Lily support Bethlehem house, a 12-bedroom maternity home for pregnant women in crisis.

Last year Humble Lily funds accounted for 30% of operating income for Bethlehem House. Volunteers are a key part of keeping overhead low. One of these valued volunteers is Kaye.



Kaye is a retired nurse who couldn’t retire from helping others. She first came to Humble Lily as a shopper and was drawn to the mission.

“I’m an organized person and I wanted to help with the back room,” said Kaye.

SHARE Omaha offering cross-river office hours

Written by Katie Fourney    on August 7, 2019    in
 
As a connector of the metropolitan area’s nonprofit organizations and public supporters, SHARE Omaha is happily spreading the word that it is leasing physical space in both Omaha and Council Bluffs. SHARE Omaha will spend half the week at the Scott Technology Center in Omaha’s centralized Aksarben Village (6825 Pine Street) and the balance of time in Council Bluffs subleasing from The 712 Initiative (1228 S. Main Street).
 
“We are a common ground for nonprofit organizations’ needs being met across a wide geographic area. What better physical and symbolic message to try officing amongst the nonprofit community and having dedicated time in both states of our service territory? It greatly excites our team to pilot this cross-river effort,” said Marjorie Maas, executive director of SHARE Omaha.
 

25 Nonprofits in 45 Seconds

Written by Katie Fourney    on August 6, 2019    in

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.

Volunteer highlight: A ride-along with the Truck Brigade

Written by Katie Fourney    on July 30, 2019    in
Partnership 4 Hope's Youth Mart, a donation center for former foster youth, needs new Truck Brigade volunteers! Sign up to join the Truck Brigade here.
 
Overheard during a ride-along with the Truck Brigade, as a team of volunteers delivered a couch, bed frame and mattress to a recipient of donation items:
“You got enough truck straps for that couch?”
“The apartment’s up there? It’s has to be. Our deliveries are never on the first floor.”
“There’s another door, right? I don’t think it’s coming in this way...”
“Vvvv-room,” said a little boy in Spiderman pajamas as he drove his toy car under the couch being carried back out door number one.
“Look out, the kitty is trying to escape!”

Volunteer highlight: Food Bank for the Heartland

Written by Katie Fourney    on July 23, 2019    in
It’s all about perspective. If you see a carrot with three or four legs at the supermarket, you might “turnip” your nose at it. At a farmer’s market? That organic carrot has personality and it’s worth at least double!   

On a Tuesday evening at the Food Bank for the Heartland, volunteers inspected and sorted pot roast veggies, including carrots with a few extra legs, for distribution to the 93 counties and over 500 agencies the Food Bank serves in Nebraska and Western Iowa.

In just two hours, volunteers cleared 1725 pounds of Pot Roast Veggies to feed our hungry neighbors.

“This is my fourth time and I want to keep coming,” said volunteer Jenny. “It’s fun, you meet new people, it’s easy work and I feel good knowing my work is providing food for people in need.”

SHARE Omaha is 6 months old!

Written by Marjorie Maas    on July 16, 2019    in
SHAREomaha.org has been live for six months!  I was about to say “just” six months or “only” – both would be appropriate. “Just six months” meaning that for us on the team it has been an immersive experience so chock full of opportunities for the community that it feels like so much longer. The public and our nonprofit sector have both welcomed SHARE Omaha as a resource with enthusiasm, ideas and open arms. I have often called it the best whirlwind ever.
 

Volunteer highlight: Scatter Joy Acres

Written by Katie Fourney    on July 8, 2019    in
Peace, healing, joy. Each guest comes to Scatter Joy Acres looking for something different. When they find it, they’re hooked.

“You come one time and that’s all it takes. You’ll be back,” says Kim, a regular Scatter Joy Acres volunteer.

Scatter Joy Acres is a 26-acre urban rescue and therapy ranch, located at 49th and Newport in Omaha. Founder Joy Bartling and a team of volunteers take in neglected animals and give them a renewed purpose providing therapeutic interactions for at-risk children, seniors and veterans.

Volunteers Kim and Tina speak proudly of the challenges their favorite animals have overcome.

Volunteer highlight: Open Door Mission

Written by Katie Fourney    on July 1, 2019    in

Open Door Mission, who seeks to end the cycle of homelessness and poverty, serves over a million nutritious meals per year. To make that happen, countless vegetables need chopped and sack lunches must be prepared. Walk-in volunteers at the community kitchen are welcome Monday-Friday from 9-11am and 2-4pm and are vital to getting meals out the door.



On a Monday afternoon a team of “Borsheims Gives” volunteers, along with two walk-in volunteers, were preparing carrots, onions and potatoes for a hearty stew.

“Helping other people is fulfilling,” said Nancy, part of the Borsheims crew. “I’m loving this, coming here today and doing this.”

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We have so much great news to share from our nonprofit partners about their amazing work. But, we'd love to hear from you. Let us know if you have stories you'd like to tell and we'll make you a guest blogger!!