Holiday Hearts Warm Winter Weather Blues

The winter weather months have officially hit the Midwest and thanks to the holiday spirit of some volunteer elves, many Partnership students will be able to brave the cold temperatures without fear of frost bite.

Volunteer goal buddies from OPPD gave out more than cheer this month, providing homemade fleece scarves and goodie bags for all the students in their Belvedere classrooms. “The students were thrilled,” said Program Coordinator, Kris Morgan. “One boy expressed how excited his mom would be to see his new scarf,” she added.

Partnership volunteers from FirstComp also contributed to the giving spirit by doing a corporate-wide drive for winter apparel. More than 430 hats, gloves and scarves were collected and distributed to the students of Kellom Elementary. Earlier this year, FirstComp volunteers also organized a school clean-up day, donating plants and mulch and volunteers to landscape and beautify Kellom’s grounds.

Friday December 17th, volunteers from First National Merchants Association will run “Operation Elf”, a drive to collect toys and gifts for the students and families of Saratoga Elementary. If you wish to contribute to the cause, you may drop off donations at the school this Friday. Thanks to all those who are dedicated to aiding the students and families of the Partnership that are in need this season!

If you wish to make a donation directly to The Partnership, you can do so through our website, www.thepartnershipforourkids.org or by calling 402-930-3000.

Welcome Ramey and Cassie!

The Partnership For Our Kids welcomes Ramey McNamara and Cassie Scheidies as the newest program specialists for the Partnership’s mentoring program.

Ramey McNamara will be working with the 6th and 7th grade students at Belvedere Academy, Miller Park Elementary and McMillan Middle School. She says she is most excited to be a part of her students’ lives from elementary school through their high school graduation. Cassie agrees, and adds that she is eager to see her students setting goals and working toward success. Cassie will be working primarily with middle school students at McMillan, Beveridge and Monroe Middle School.

When the ladies are not working, they are both active volunteers in the community. Cassie spends time working with her church and Ramey volunteers with Douglas County as a court appointed special advocate. In addition to volunteering, Ramey likes attending sporting events, movies and playing bingo. Cassie enjoys playing poker, hiking and taking walks with her dogs.
To find out more about Ramey and Cassie, visit the Partnership website's Team Members page

The Big Event Three-peat: Proudly Sharing the Spotlight!

The results are in!

For the third year in a row, the Partnership’s vinNEBRASKA Wine Event was honored as Metro Magazine’s Best Food and Wine Event for 2010! The Partnership happily shares this award with Lutheran Family Services, whose special event, “Wicker and Wine, 2009”, tied for first place. The award announcements were made Tuesday night at Metro Magazine’s “Big Event”, held at Henry Doorly Zoo. This is the fourth annual presentation of “The Big Event Awards Celebration” and Metro Magazine’s twentieth year of existence.

In addition to receiving this award, All About Omaha was also nominated as a finalist in the category of Best Event Under 500 in Attendance for the 2010 Torchlight Ball, honoring the Partnership’s Winners Circle program. A special thanks to all who voted and to those who continue to support The Partnership For Our Kids in all of our ventures!