Category: Nebraska

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Speaker: Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy


Per their website, HETRA was started in 1989 by Steve and Janet Henthorn of Omaha, Nebraska.  The program started with one participant, one horse, and three volunteers.  HETRA now has 19 therapy horses, 21 PATH, Intl. certified instructors, and over 115 participants.  They also offer services in Therapeutic Riding, Hippotherapy, Equine Services for Veterans, and Therapeutic Carriage Driving.  HETRA is a non-profit 501c3 organization and is currently the only PATH Premier Accredited Therapeutic Riding Center in Nebraska!
HETRA serves a variety of participants including children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular distrophy, cystic fibrosis, brain tumors, head or spinal cord injuries, visual impairment, autism, development delays and strokes.  In 2014, HETRA served 192 unique participants (both children and adults) per week and our goal is continue to expand the program this year.
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Speaker: Jail Ministry

Merlyn Klaus is our speaker from the Jail and Prison Ministry. 

After 25 years at Channel 6 in Omaha, Merlyn followed his calling. In 2004, he started in Seminary. He graduated in 2009. Since he is with both the Jail Ministry and at Salem Baptist Church. 
The cost of housing prisoners is raising. Over $30k per year per prisoner at costs for Nebraska and Iowa over $400 million annually. 
The Ministry is looking for volunteers to run Bible studies and work with inmates. The process takes months to pass background checks and training.  

Contact information:

Thanks, Merlyn, for the interesting information. 
             Kiwanis Club of Greater Omaha
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Speaker: Make A Wish

Make A Wish is international. Nebraska grants 1 wish every 3 days!

Privately funded 501(c)3. Money raised in Nebraska, says in Nebraska. 
Wishes are granted for children that have life threatening illnesses. The referral process is confirmed with the doctor. 
The entire family is included. 
I wish to go … I wish to be…. I wish to meet…. I wish to have…..
Impact – it’s a state of mind. 96% of health professionals see improvement in emotional health. 
Health Strength and Joy
Thanks , Lauren for sharing the Make A Wish story. 

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Speaker: Kevin Cook

Kevin Cook, Executive Director of Agricultural Activities for the Knights of Ak-sar-Ben

Ak-sar-Ben is still a scholarship foundation. $906,926 raised for scholarships through the 2014 Ak-sar-Ben Coronation and Scholarship Ball alone. 

Over 140 students from Nebraska and Western Iowa received scholarships to further their education.  

Calf and Lamb Challenge is an opportunity for mentoring on a one-on-one basis. 


Thank you, Kevin, for the excellent information. 
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Speaker: State Senator Hilkemann

State Senator Robert Hilkemann, http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist04/

“Meeting with people is my favorite part of my job.”
Serving on the Appropriations committee as a freshman senator is an honor. They meet 5 days a week on budgets and requests. Must cut from day 1 to keep the overall Nebraska state budget on task. The public hearing portion can take 3 weeks. The budget came in at 3.1% so there is some property tax relief. 
Property tax inequality is a huge issue. Rural vs Urban is driving part of the issue.  And the property valuation is driving tax increases as well. 

Health care costs are unsustainable.  This summer with Nebraska Health and Human Services to work on cutting 5% of the Medicade spend. 
Education is important but 50 high schools in Nebraska have less than 50 students. The cost per student to educate is about double compared to Millard Public Schools. 
This summer, Bob is also going to visit all the State parks. So he can personally see how monies are spent. 
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Speaker: UNO’s Jerry Deichert

Mr. Deichert at UNO speaking on “Selected Demographic Information for the Omaha Area”.
Cocktail party trivia – 320 is the median population of the “cities” in Nebraska. 
53% of Nebraska population is in the three counties – Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy. These also experienced the most growth. 
Doulas county grew 11.5% but Hispanic population grew 86.9%. Sarpy grew 29.6% with Hispanic grew 115.9%. 
Thanks Jerry for all the interesting information. 

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Speaker: Taylor Wilson, Nebraska Medicine

 Taylor Wilson (Nebraska Medicine) speaking at the Kiwanis luncheon on December 22. 

Taylor Wilson is the Media Relations Coordinator for the Nebraska Medical Center, now also known as Nebraska Medicine.  His presentation focused on how the Center prepared and managed the bio-containment suite for treating Ebola this year.  He applauded the medical staff both for the way they handled their respective duties for treating patients and how they conducted themselves with the media.  Taylor mentioned the enormous coverage the Medical Center received worldwide; that this “free” publicity had and will continue to provide focus on the facilities and staff at the Center.  He especially credited Kate Snow of NBC news for her in-depth reporting.  He said he was in constant communication with local, national and international media as frequent updates became the norm.  
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Speaker: Donate Life Nebraska

Donate Life Nebraska is a non profit coalition of partner organizations and individuals who work together to inspire Nebraskans to sign up as organ, eye and tissue donors. 

Cindy is a heart transplant recipient and volunteer. 

In 1987, Cindy travelled to Houston for a vigorous testing process and eventual heart transplant. It took 5 months of being away from her husband and young daughter to get the procedure. 
 
You can sign up for organ donation at the DMV or online. DMV registers your wishes online or register yourself at www. Donatelifenebraska.com. 
450 people in Nebraska are on the donor waiting list. As a donor, you can save and heal the lives of more than 50 people. 
Thank you Cindy for the interesting information. 
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Speaker: Voices For Children

Carolyn is the Executive director of Voices For Children.

Safety is critical.  Judicial advocates is part of safety.   Voices For Children does extensive data research and provides information to the State Legislature and other agencies.

They research of what is helping and harmful to children in the legislature.  They also write laws if an issue is not addressed.

They work with Health and Human Services,  Judiciary, and Appropriation committees.

Research is ongoing about the immigration influx of children.

Their voices matter.

Thanks Carolyn for the exceptional information!