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!

5 Ways to volunteer with kids in the Omaha metro

Written by Katie Fourney    on June 5, 2019
Photo Credit: Habitat for Humanity

Pool days, zoo visits and summer camps have long been tricks of the trade to keep kids entertained during the summer. After a few weeks though, your young ones are likely looking for a new adventure. Try adding volunteering to your list of kid-friendly activities this summer!

Serving others is a great way to bond as a family, expose children to new experiences and instill an excitement for giving back. In the Omaha-Council Bluffs area and surrounding communities, SHARE Omaha is the tool to use to find your family’s ideal volunteer opportunity.

Here are 5 of the 40+ ways to volunteer with children over 5 in the Omaha metro. Adult participation required!

 

    Volunteer highlight: The Durham Museum

    Written by Katie Fourney    on May 30, 2019    in
    Jack, a Durham Museum volunteer, holds a photo of his grandfather conducting the same train he sits in at the museum.


    The Durham Museum is full of treasures. Among the most valuable are the volunteers and the stories they tell. With some volunteers giving more than 400 hours per year, they captivate visitors with tales of Omaha history.

    “People don’t want to have somebody read a script. They fall asleep. People want to be entertained,” says Jack, a Durham Museum volunteer.

    Jack came to the Museum after his storytelling talents were discovered on an Ollie the Trolley tour where, as a passenger, he enhanced the tour by sharing additional tidbits of Omaha history with the crowd.

     “I just know Omaha.”

    Now 12 years later, Jack has narrated metro history to guests from all over the world. He spends most of his time in the Pullman car, which happens to be part of a train his grandfather conducted.

    Metro flooding: Who's doing what and how can you help?

    Written by Katie Fourney    on May 16, 2019
    Our hearts are heavy as flood waters wreak havoc in Iowa and Nebraska. The destruction to land and homes along with the number of families displaced is overwhelming.

    But our community is doing what we do best. We rally and we support one another. 

    Immediate disaster response and evacuation were first and foremost for our nonprofit partners. They sprang to action to protect our neighbors. But as the weeks go by and the waters recede, our community will need us all to act.

    Below is a list of who is doing what and how you can help. Please check back often, and if you are a nonprofit member with a volunteer or donation need, email us at info@SHAREomaha.org so we can help you post needs here and to your profile. 
     
    VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
     

    A Recap of April's (do)GOOD month

    Written by Katie Fourney    on May 8, 2019    in
    Wow, Omaha metro! You sure know how to do good.

    Each year, National Volunteer Week falls in April. But we know the needs of the metro are too overwhelming to contain in one week. So, SHARE Omaha declared April (do)GOOD month in the Omaha metro. And wow, you really embraced this month of volunteerism!

    Individuals raised their hands to help Omaha Rapid Response and Food Bank for the Heartland with flood relief. To walk animals at Midlands Humane Society, drive for Meals on Wheels and join the Dreamweaver Foundation Dream Team.

    30 Ways to GOLF fore a cause in the Omaha metro

    Written by Katie Fourney    on May 7, 2019    in
    It's time to dust off your golf clubs and load up your calendar with golf events in support of great causes. Gather your foursome for an enjoyable day on one of the many great golf courses throughout the Omaha metro. With each swing, you'll help a meaningful local organization raise the funds they need to do their work.

    In order of date, here are 30 ways to golf for a cause in the Omaha metro this spring and summer:

    Children’s Square U.S.A.
    Chip in for Children Golf Tournament
    Monday, May 13, 2019
    Council Bluffs Country Club – Council Bluffs
     
    Lutheran Service Corps
    Golf Tournament
    Saturday, May 18, 2019
    Eagle Hills Golf Course – Papillion
     
    Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha

    Volunteer highlight: Hope Lodge

    Written by Katie Fourney    on April 25, 2019    in
    Since January 2018, 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.

    Geri, Phil and Kathy are a few of these volunteers. When you ask them about their work you’ll hear them speak humbly about their contributions to Hope Lodge.

    Geri updates brochures.

    Phil is the king of cleaning the little corners.

    Kathy bakes homemade cookies every Wednesday.

    “We are a big family,” says Geri. “That’s what it’s all about.”


    Diana: Volunteering is fun!

    Written by Diana Gleisberg    on April 24, 2019

    Diana Gleisberg is a passionate volunteer, world traveler, concert enthusiast and massive Nebraska fan. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram, @volunteeromaha. In honor of April's (do)GOOD month, we asked Diana to share why she volunteers. Pledge to join the (do)GOOD movement and apply to volunteer now.

    I don’t solely volunteer for the warm fuzzies, sharing my blessings, or making a difference in the lives of others.  Whilst this is obviously the main reason I #shareitforward, I also volunteer because I genuinely enjoy doing so! I have FUN volunteering!

    Fiona: Board Diversity Round Table Recap

    Written by Fiona    on April 17, 2019    in
    Fiona is a soon-to-be English Teaching Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Omaha who is dependent on art to keep her alive. When she’s not writing creative nonfiction about gender, astrology or how to make the human experience better, she’s trying to find her new favorite horror movie.

    Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of attending Young Black & Influential’s roundtable discussion on board diversity. Gathered with coffee and croissants, representatives from SHARE Omaha and Nonprofit Association of the Midlands partners like Heartland Family Service, Boys Town, FITGirl, Inc and more began their day.
     

    Fiona: A different kind of education

    Written by Fiona    on April 8, 2019    in

    Fiona is a soon-to-be English Teaching Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Omaha who is dependent on art to keep her alive. When she’s not writing creative nonfiction about gender, astrology or how to make the human experience better, she’s trying to find her new favorite horror movie.

    As a college intern for SHARE Omaha, we asked her to write a little bit about why she is moved to give back to the community. Pledge to volunteer alongside her and hundreds more here.

    April is (do)GOOD month! How will you serve?

    Written by Katie Fourney    on April 1, 2019    in
    Each year, National Volunteer Week falls in April. But the needs of the metro are too overwhelming to contain in one week. So, SHARE Omaha is declaring April (do)GOOD month in the Omaha metro! 

    Will you commit to volunteer in April for (do)GOOD month?
    You can start small, sampling an opportunity on SHARE Omaha. Or, in true metro fashion, you can go big. Get your whole office involved or take on a project that uses your skills to the fullest. No matter how you choose to start, send your interest to one of our local nonprofits today.

    You can also connect with us in person at a (do)GOOD month event to identify your ideal volunteer opportunity or learn more about serving on a board of a nonprofit. Claim your free tickets now!

    Pages

    SHARE WITH US!

    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!!