Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.The following are fundraisers, donations and other charitable events or opportunities happening in the Midlands. Email your information about good deeds to connect@owh.com or call 402-444-1040.
Little Hearts of Love: Jacob was 6 and living in Indiana with his family when he was diagnosed with cancer. His dragon Pillow Pet that he named Rexy comforted Jacob during treatments and hospital stays. He came up with the idea of giving Pillow Pets to other children at the hospital, and more than 1,500 pillow pets were donated. Miranda Haun and Naomi Johnson — Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members at West Boyd High School — decided to carry on Jacob's cause in Nebraska. The two created a Pillow Pets project called "Little Hearts of Love." The title refers to the cut-out heart tag that each Pillow Pet "sponsor" can use to attach a message around the neck of the pet. On Friday, Haun and Johnson are to deliver the first group of Pillow Pets to Children's Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha. To sponsor a Pillow Pet, $20, or donate to the project, call Haun or Johnson at West Boyd High School in Spencer, Neb., 402-589-1333.
Helping brothers: The Fraternal Order of Police at the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office will have a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help pay medical expenses for two deputies. Deputy Ryan Fawcett has an inoperable brain tumor. Also benefiting will be the family of Deputy Dave McAnulty, who died Dec. 16 from an inoperable mass in his pancreas. The dinner, silent auction, raffle and more will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at Belvedere Hall, 201 E. First St. in Papillion. The meal will be $10 per adult, $5 per child or $25 per family.
Special dresses: Max I. Walker will celebrate the Ultra Chic Prom Boutique's fifth year. The fundraiser that benefits Lydia House shelter will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, 72nd and Grover Streets. Max I. Walker currently seeks dress donations. It will clean and press the gowns and sell them for $25 at the event. Dresses can be dropped off at any of the 25 Max I. Walker locations. Visit MaxIWalker.com to find locations.
Keeping warm: The Sidney Campus of Western Nebraska Community College donated hand-tied fleece blankets to Panhandle care centers and nursing homes. Blankets have gone to or will go to Garden County Health Services/Long Term Care in Oshkosh, Golden Living Center in Sidney, Heritage of Bridgeport, Kimball County Manor in Kimball, Miller Memorial Care Center in Chappell, Memorial Health Center-Extended Care in Sidney, Riverview Assisted Living in Lewellen and Sloan Estates in Sidney.
Lending a hand: The Union Pacific Employees Club 8 in North Platte, Neb., gave donations to several area charities that needed operating funds. Goodfellow Shoe Fund of North Platte received $500, Hershey (Neb.) Patriot Packages received $500 and the Friend to Friend network received $700 for a total of $1,700.
Compiled by Sue Story Truax
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