Omaha Steaks donates 8,600 meals to Food Bank for the Heartland

With this donation, Omaha Steaks has reached the $1 million milestone in food donations to the Food Bank for the year, according to the release.

The donation included an assortment of steaks, chicken, pork, seafood, burgers, sides and desserts.

People across Nebraska and western Iowa are experiencing unforeseen financial adversity and food insecurity due to inflation, causing many to seek food assistance for the first time, the release said.

One in 11 individuals — with one in nine being children — don’t know how they’ll afford their next meal, the release said. As a result, Omaha Steaks and United Rentals have partnered for the third year to donate post-holiday gifts to Food Bank for the Heartland.

More than 132 United Rentals employees chose to opt in and redirect their corporate holiday gift cooler of products to help people facing food insecurity.

Omaha Steaks matched the total to 264 meal packages and added more than 10,000 pounds of high-quality proteins, sides and desserts.

“We understand there’s a growing need for quality proteins in the fight against hunger. With rising costs at the grocery store, we feel it’s more important than ever to lend a helping hand and provide high-quality food to families in need,” Todd Simon, fifth-generation family owner of Omaha Steaks, said in the release.

The Creighton University Psychological Science Department will host the fourth annual Ware-Johnk Lecture in Psychological Science on March 14 at 5 p.m. in the Harper Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Craig Anderson will present a lecture entitled “Climate Change, Violence, and Mitigating Actions.”

Anderson’s presentation will explore the relationship between climate change and global violence based on his research into both the direct and indirect links between increasing global temperatures and incidents of civil unrest, ecomigration, genocide and war.

Anderson is a distinguished professor of psychology at Iowa State.

For more information, contact Laura Finken at laurafinken@creighton.edu, Kaitlin Maloy at kaitlinmaloy@creighton.edu or Lee Budesheim at thomasbudesheim@creighton.edu.

Mikuls is named director of Ignite Nebraska

Ignite Nebraska, an apprenticeship program designed to spark meaningful career opportunities for individuals working under-resourced jobs, has announced Kellee Mikuls as its new executive director.

Ignite Nebraska collaborates with community and state partners, employers and educational institutions to provide paid apprenticeship opportunities. These opportunities promise full-time job offers in high-demand, high-skilled, high-paying careers for participants who complete the program.

Mikuls is the founder of Swishboom and former vice president at CBRE real estate.

“I am so excited about the opportunity to take what Joni (Wheeler) and the Ignite team have done and help amplify it,” she said in a press release. “My hope for Ignite Nebraska is that we build a sustainable model that can be a pathway for those that want to get into high-paying, high-demand tech jobs. We are teaching people to fish and the results are bountiful for our graduates, employers and community.”

Join refuge rangers Saturday at 1 p.m. at the DeSoto Visitor Center to learn how to make origami birds based off the birds you can find at DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges.

During this program visitors will get to enjoy the sights and sounds of migratory waterfowl while also learning how to create them in origami. Refuge rangers will demonstrate how to create the birds and explain the history and meaning behind origami.

Attendees will be able to take all their creations home, but supplies are based on a first come first served basis. For more information, call 712-388-4822 or email alyssa_lu@fws.gov.

DeSoto is located south of U.S. Highway 30 between Missouri Valley, Iowa and Blair.

College of St. Mary is hosting its second annual Ignite the Flame fundraising event in support of women’s athletics, according to a press release.

The luncheon will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 30 at the Lied Fitness Center Fieldhouse. The event will showcase the achievements of Flames Athletics and athletes and investments made in the greater Omaha community, the release said.

Gina Mancuso-Prososki, who plays for the Omaha Supernovas in the Pro Volleyball Federation, will speak. CSM will present Mancuso-Prososki with the Ignite the Flame Community Impact Award, honoring an individual or organization in our community dedicated to supporting girls and women in their participation in athletics and health and wellness.

Event proceeds support CSM athletes and Flames Athletics programming and scholarships.

“At CSM, we’re passionate about the transformative power of athletics for women. Engaging in sports opens doors to life-changing opportunities, fostering personal growth, resilience and leadership skills,” Robbie Shay, director of athletics, said in the release.

In addition to serving nearly 200 CSM student-athletes, Flames Athletics partners with several organizations in the Omaha metro to support women by offering athletics and wellness activities, such as Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon Club, Omaha Public Schools and Special Olympics of Omaha. The Lied Fitness Center Fieldhouse is also the home practice facility for the Omaha Supernovas.

Tickets may be purchased online at CSM.edu/Ignite.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium will hold an Easter event, Hoppin’ Hotcakes, on March 23 and 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hotcakes will feature an egg hunt with age-specific prizes and treats, a pancake breakfast from The Pancake Man, photo opportunities and bird-themed activities and crafts.

Reservations are required, visit OmahaZoo.com/HoppinHotcakes for more information

Children’s Square, a 141-year-old organization that serves children with mental health needs, recently received gifts and toys for Easter baskets from Retail Rebel in Council Bluffs.

“We are thankful for the baskets and goodies donated by Retail Rebel. They will bring great joy to our children on campus this Easter season,” said Dr. Viv Ewing, president & CEO of Children’s Square, in a press release.

Children’s Square is a nonprofit organization that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Children in residential treatment and in the Children’s Emergency Shelter are often on campus during holidays that would otherwise be spent with family.

“Our staff works hard to make holidays a special time for children who cannot be with their families on Easter, Christmas and other holidays,” said Jonathan Holland, the chief program officer at Children’s Square.

If you want to learn about your family history, join Homestead National Historical Park to learn about the ins and outs of genealogy on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Education Center.

Park Guide Tanner Christy will go over the basics of how to start in your genealogy journey, according to a press release. This free ranger-led program will look at the many resources available to research your family and how to use them effectively to put your family story together.

Homestead is located four miles west of Beatrice.

People planning to launch boats in Nebraska this spring should beware low-water conditions.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission advises boaters to be patient and cautious when launching and loading boats.

“While many of our ramps have been designed or extended to counter these low-water conditions, lack of significant rainfall in some areas following the recent drought still warrant users to be cautious while launching and loading,” said Zach Horstman, Game and Parks’ boating access coordinator, in a press release.

Horstman recommends boat operators have a spotter with them or check to see if the end of the ramp is visible from the shoreline or dock before launching if water clarity allows.

Local Game and Parks staff are a great resource to get the most current ramp conditions as water levels and ramp conditions vary from one lake to the next.

Cameo Rogers, Immanuel’s corporate life enrichment manager, has been recognized as a winner of the prestigious McKnight’s Women of Distinction Award.

Now in its sixth year, the award celebrates women across the skilled nursing, senior living and home care industries who exemplify exceptional dedication to their communities, facilities and agencies.

A joint program of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care, it recognizes women in three award categories: Hall of Honor, Veteran VIPs and Rising Stars.

Rogers is one of 16 women nationwide — and the only Nebraska resident — named a 2024 Veteran VIP Award winner. She and other winners will be recognized at the McKnight Women of Distinction Awards celebration on May 14 in Chicago.

“I am thrilled to be honored by this award alongside this amazing group of women,” Rogers said in a release. “I have been reflecting on how fortunate I have been to have incredible examples of passionate, intelligent and strong women, including mentors, professors, leaders, colleagues, friends and family members.”

Rogers said her passion for working with older adults was influenced by her impactful relationship with her great-grandparents in her childhood.

“They impacted my desire to learn more about aging and what it means to continue to grow and develop as a person throughout our lifespan,” Rogers said. “Being with our residents and participants and spending time with them is a source of joy for me.”

Immanuel’s Chief Operating Officer Julie Kaminski nominated Rogers for the award, citing her overall work and service to residents and participants in Immanuel’s communities and centers.