In this issue - Salvation Army

Speaker Shares Story of the
Triumph of the Human Spirit
A thin, pale woman dressed casually in blue jeans
stopped a Salvation Army volunteer after the “D.J.’s
Hero Awards Luncheon” in Omaha on May 7 to
say “thanks.”
She had heard on a radio station that morning that
Nando Parrado was speaking at the annual lunch.
The woman had once flown over the spot in the
Andes where Parrado’s plane crashed, leaving him
and other members of his Uruguayan rugby team
stranded for 72 days.
Since then, she had survived a brain tumor, her
husband’s illness and the loss of everything they
owned. Then her son died.
She was looking for a story of hope and survival
--- and found it in Parrado’s speech. The grateful
woman quietly left, overwhelmed and encouraged.
She was one of 1,200 people, including Nebraska’s
governor and Omaha’s mayor, gathered at the
Qwest Center ballroom that day. They were there
for the annual D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon that
raised more than $356,000 for programs for
children in The Salvation Army’s Western Division.
Parrado received a standing ovation after telling his
story of survival after the plane carrying him and
45 passengers crashed 11,000 feet in the Andes,
breaking in half. He emerged a hero when he and a
teammate walked for 10 days to find help.
His story was told in the book “Alive” and in a
movie that starred actor Ethan Hawke as Parrado,
who served as technical advisor. Parrado signed
copies of his new book, “Miracle in the Andes,”
after the luncheon and donated part of the
proceeds to The Salvation Army.
Also receiving an enthusiastic standing ovation
were the six D.J.’s Hero award winners. Each
received a $5,000 scholarship.
The event --- one of the largest annual civic
luncheons in Omaha --- is named for D.J. Sokol,
son of David and Peggy Sokol of Omaha. The
winners were about the same age as D.J. when he
died of cancer at the age of 18.
The teenagers honored at the luncheon each
had a moving story of courage, concern for the
community and compassion for others.
The mission of award winner Zane Fried of
Omaha, who is in remission from non-Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma, is to help others deal with cancer. He
has written a book for other teen cancer survivors.
Nia Karmann of Grand Island is a mentor and role
model for other Spina Bifida families. She lives her
faith and helps others see the strength of God.
Micheal Kimberly of Holdrege helps care for his
disabled father and also helps support his family.
Yet he finds time to volunteer in the community.
Chelsea LeGrow of Omaha has given care and
love to 50 foster children her parents have taken
in. She is a church youth leader and volunteers to
assist mothers and children in need.
Katherine Schueths of Lincoln is an active and
enthusiastic volunteer who shares her experience
of surviving a stroke at age 11 and living with
disabilities. She visits Madonna Rehabilitation
Hospital patients with Casey, the therapy dog she
trained.
Family tragedies have led Sara Watson of
Alliance to show courage and responsibility.
She has become a leader with her peers and in
the community, heading up many fund-raising
activities. Each year, the D.J.’s Hero Awards honors
an adult who has made a difference in the lives of
children. This year’s honoree was Louie Warren,
CEO and president, Greater Omaha YMCA.
Like Parrado, the D.J.’s Hero award winners
illustrate the triumph of the human spirit. All are
heroes in overcoming hardships with a positive
and giving spirit.
The luncheon raised funds for these Salvation
Army programs: Children’s Summer Enrichment,
Back to School, Children of WELLSPRING, and
the North Omaha After School program.
(See photograph on page 8.)
OMAHA SALVATION ARMY BREAKS GROUND continued from page 1
to The Salvation Army. Mrs. Kroc, widow of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc,
bequeathed her estate to The Salvation Army for the exclusive purpose of
constructing and operating world-class community centers.
The Omaha location was the first Kroc Center to break ground in the
Army’s Central Territory. “Throughout this process we have been seeking
God’s guidance and praying for opportunities to advance the mission of
The Salvation Army through Mrs. Kroc’s generous gift,” said Commissioner
Ken Baillie, who oversees The Salvation Army’s work in the Midwest. “We
celebrate as the Omaha RJKCCC is the first in the Midwest to take this
exciting next step.”
Half of the $60 million gift to Omaha will be used for construction and
the other half to partially establish an endowment to support the future
operations of the Center. The Omaha Salvation Army must raise at least
50 percent of Mrs. Kroc’s gift to the endowment, or $15 million, which will
encourage the community participation envisioned by Mrs. Kroc.
The Salvation Army is partnering with Heritage Services, a local non-profit
organization, for its fundraising and construction management expertise to
oversee the completion of the Kroc Center initiative.
A variety of programs and services for children and adults will be offered.
Individuals, seniors and families will have access to educational, recreational
and arts programs. Kroc Center highlights include an aquatics center,
gymnasium, educational classrooms, a flexible assembly hall for worship and
performing arts, and soccer fields. A large outdoor green “festival plaza” will
accommodate neighborhood events.
While the Kroc Center will be ideally located to meet the needs of
underserved residents, the programs and services that will be provided
are being designed to serve as a magnet that will attract the entire Omaha
community, be financially self-sustaining and further the mission of The
Salvation Army.
"Through this facility, The Salvation Army will provide opportunities for
thousands to have a safe, secure environment where they can participate
in educational, recreational, arts and worship activities and be inspired to
make a difference in their world. We are excited about the lives which will
be transformed through this new ministry," states Major Merle Heatwole,
Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Western Division.
In accordance with Mrs. Kroc’s wishes, none of the Kroc Center funds can be
used for ongoing services and programs that The Salvation Army provides,
on a daily basis, to the Omaha community such as food, clothing and
shelter. Funding for those programs is raised through the annual Christmas
campaign and support from donors throughout the year.
For information on the Omaha Kroc Center visit www.givesalvationarmy.org.
For information on Kroc Centers in the Midwest, visit
www.usc.salvationarmy.org/kroc.
Construction is underway on the $30 million Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps
Community Center located in South Omaha. Dignitaries in yellow hard hats made it
official at a July 11th groundbreaking ceremony. Pictured from left to right: Majors
Yaneth and Herb Fuqua, Omaha Kroc Center Administrators; Ken Stinson and Howard
Hawks, Heritage Services Board of Directors; Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey; Gary Gates,
Heritage Services Board of Directors; Jim Landen, Salvation Army Omaha Advisory
Board; Walter Scott, Chair, Heritage Services Board of Tony Directors; DungyCommissioner Ken
Baillie; Jane Rogers, Chair, Omaha Salvation Army Advisory Board; Chuck Sederstrom;
Omaha Salvation Army Advisory Board; Major Merle Heatwole, Divisional Commander,
Western Division and Terry Moore, Omaha Salvation Army Advisory Board.
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