Briefly

Those who give will be recognized

Omaha-area philanthropists and volunteers will be honored at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon at noon Nov. 17 in the Doubletree Hotel, 16th and Dodge Streets.

Honorees are Mike and Lin Simmonds, outstanding philanthropists; Valmont Industries in Valley, Neb., outstanding corporation; Weitz Family Foundation, outstanding foundation; William Fitzgerald, outstanding volunteer fundraiser; and Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, outstanding youth in philanthropy.

Tickets to the luncheon are $35 each. To request an invitation, contact Anita Crisp at 402-323-8841 or acrisp9@gmail.com.

Council honors healthy behavior

Light of Wellness awards were presented Thursday night at the Wellness Council of the Midlands' dinner at Lauritzen Gardens.

Keynote speaker was Joann Schaefer, Nebraska chief medical officer.

The awards were given to people who have demonstrated healthy lifestyle behaviors, individually or as a part of a team. Recipients were:

Healthy Behavior Awards: Margaret Albano, Downtown YMCA; Micki Brandt, Patricia Eppenbaugh and Tom Lenz, Creighton University; April Busch and Dave Daniels, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Robin Lawrentz, the Nebraska Medical Center; Blaine Luebbert, Southwest YMCA; Peter Pellerito, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Brad Percifield, Omaha Public Power District; and Greg Romba, Union Pacific.

Team Awards: Mutual of Omaha's Blair facility, Physicians Mutual and UNO Environmental Services staff.

Leadership Awards: Ken Baldwin, Westside Community Schools; Jeff Branstetter, Creighton University; and Troy Wilhelm, UNMC physicians.

Honorary Leadership Award: Gov. Dave Heineman.

The Wellness Council of the Midlands was founded in 1982. Visit www.wellnesscouncil.org.