Community Health Charities of Nebraska celebrated its annual meeting on Aug. 24, 2017, at Champions Run, sponsored by Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. Erik and Heather Younger, Ambassadors for both the March of Dimes, Nebraska & Western Iowa Market and the Nebraska Community Blood Bank, shared their family’s story as the keynote speaker. CHC-NE also announced campaign results for the 2016-2017 year, raising $1,896,822.
CHC-NE also presented two Partner in Health awards. Presented each year, the award recognizes those that actively promote the ongoing awareness of health and wellness and serves as a model of how individuals, commerce, government or industry and the health sector interact to improve the quality of life for those in the community.
Nebraska Public Power District received the statewide award for living out its vision of enhancing the quality of life for Nebraskans by supporting community efforts by volunteering and financially supporting organizations that do good for everyone, such as CHC-NE. In 2016, NPPD raised $31,383.20 for CHC-NE’s health charities, and over the past four years, they’ve raised $122,127.84. “Patrick Pope, CEO, has consistently led by example and shown his support of the health of all Nebraskans as a GOLD Leadership donor and many employees have also continued to give at this level for many years,” said Caris Kenny, CHC-NE Director of Community Partnerships. “All of the generous NPPD employees are greatly appreciated for their contributions and continue to be a role model for others across the state.”
Union Bank & Trust received the Lincoln award their achievements in the United Way/CHC Campaign in Lincoln. Union Bank & Trust had the third largest campaign in 2016, raising $472,036, with 92.8% going to the United Way Impact Fund. Union Bank & Trust also makes a generous corporate gift, matching employee donations. CHC-NE also recognized Union Bank & Trust employees who make a difference by volunteering for both CHC-NE and United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County. John Gessert has served on the CHC-NE Lincoln board as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Nebraska/Iowa Chapter Representative since 2008. He served as the CHC-NE Lincoln Board Vice Chair and the CHC-NE Lincoln Board Chair and also served on the United Way/CHC Campaign Cabinet. In addition, UBT employees Kim Keller, TJ Casady and Katie Thompson serve in leadership roles with Emerging Leaders United and Women United; Curt Rohn serves as the Marketing Chair on the United Way/CHC Campaign Cabinet; Doris Robertson serves as the Pacesetters Co-Chair on the Campaign Cabinet; and CEO Angie Muhlheisen serves on the CHC-NE Lincoln Leadership Council. “We congratulate the dedicated employees of UBT, and recognize Union Bank and Trust for all they do for CHC-NE,” said Mark Feit, Lincoln Director.
Finally, the following individuals were elected onto the CHC-NE State Board: Karen Carson, Fat Brain Toys, Team Jack Foundation Representative; Katie Love, ACI Worldwide; Steve McWhorter, Autism Action Partnership Representative; Amy Nieman, Lutz, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Nebraska Chapter Representative; Rebecca Runge, Methodist Hospital, Nebraska Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation; Russell Sebek, Lincoln Board Chair, Wells Fargo; and M. John Steier, Great Western Bank, United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska Representative.
Teresa Layton, Great Western Bank, began her term as Board Chair. Other Executive Committee Members include: Craig Sall, First National Wealth Management, Immediate Past State Board Chair; Ralph Dovali, Hancock & Dana, PC, State Board Treasurer; Erica Hinrichs, ACI Worldwide, State Board Secretary; Sharon Brodkey, iLuicom; Michael Demman, SimplyWell LLC; David Gilinsky, Bergman Incentives; Larry Guenther, JPMorgan Chase, Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter; Stanley Kathol, Omaha Airport Authority; Thomas Macy, Nebraska Medicine; Deenie Meyerson; Amber Preston, Baird Holm LLP; Loren Steenson; and Mike Wade, Physicians Mutual Insurance Company.