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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 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.”

Volunteer highlight: Habitat Omaha's "Tuesday Crew"

Written by Katie Fourney    on June 25, 2019    in

We’ve told you about Kathy who bakes homemade cookies for The Hope Lodge every Wednesday and Jack who shares stories of his grandfather’s train at The Durham Museum.

“You know who else you should visit? The ‘Tuesday Crew’,” whispered a little birdy.



For 30 years, a group of volunteers has shown up every Tuesday to swing hammers for Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. Over 57,600 hours have been served by the Tuesday Crew, all in an effort to increase affordable homeownership opportunities in the Omaha metro.

We had to meet the Tuesday Crew.

5 Teen (and young at heart) volunteer activities in the Omaha metro

Written by Katie Fourney    on June 14, 2019    in


You’re never too young to give back. And you’re never too old for adventurous volunteering!

Here is a sample of volunteer activities in the Omaha metro that are infused with an extra dose of fun.



 
  1. Be a game demo-er at Spielbound
Spread the joy of your favorite board game by teaching others! Be a game demo-er at Spielbound while making new friends. You won’t be “Sorry!”. (Age 13+ or with adult supervision)
Sign up here.

 
  1. Pack, sort and stock food with the Food Bank for the Heartland

4 Ways to volunteer during the College World Series

Written by Katie Fourney    on June 7, 2019
The 2019 NCAA Men's College World Series starts in one week! Omaha is proud to be the home of The Greatest Show on Dirt and community support is needed to successfully host a total attendance of over 300,000 people.

Want to join in? Here are four ways to volunteer during the College World Series. 

1. Serve as an Event Ambassador or Fan Fest Volunteer

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    in

    2020 Flood information can be found here: https://shareomaha.org/flood

    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. 
     

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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!!