Omaha Roncalli High School welcomed more than 370 guests to the 21st annual Festa del Leone “Celebrazione Italiana” dinner and auction April 10 at the school's Sheehan Student Center and gymnasium.
The event, which raised $115,000, mixed dining, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and the presentation of Roncalli's highest honor, the Pope John XXIII Award.
This year's recipients were Jeff and Amy Schmid for serving “the children and friends of God” through their continued civic involvement in the Archdiocese of Omaha.
Paul Wolff received the Honorary Alumnus Award for his service to the Roncalli community in spearheading the Rummel Stadium construction, Notre Dame Auditorium renovation and Junior Pride Athletic Program.
Roncalli students dressed as mimes, street vendors, grape stompers, artists, park dwellers and musicians served as interactive entertainment all evening.
Dinner was catered by Roncalli parent Walter Swetala of McGator's Catering. Emcee for the benefit was Mike'l Severe of KETV-Channel 7.
Chairmen were Nicole and Sheldon Lockhart and Paula and John Vejvoda. Vice chairmen were Kami and Chris Findall and Cindy and Ed Mullen.
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The Omaha Hearing School Guild held its sixth annual Sushi at Sunset on April 10 at the Blue Sushi Sake Grill in the Old Market. A chef prepared fresh sushi and other delectable creations for those attending.
The event raised nearly $7,000 to help support the school. The net proceeds were matched by a grant given to the school.
Robyn Kortan and Kellie Riehl served as event chairwomen.
“We are very pleased with how the event turned out,” said Riehl. “Sushi at Sunset is a fun and relaxed fundraiser. It's an opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy wonderful cuisine while supporting the Omaha Hearing School.”
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The Durham Museum hosted a special luncheon April 7 in honor of the museum's On Track Guild.
Sixty guests enjoyed a luncheon by Catering Creations followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum. Guests visited the Durham's photo archive and learned about the important digitization project now under way to preserve the estimated 500,000 historic images housed at the museum.
Attendees also met with members of the curatorial staff and saw rare coins and documents from the Byron Reed Collection.
Guild members then joined other museum visitors for a distance learning program with the Kennedy Space Center in the museum's Stanley and Dorothy Truhlsen Lecture Hall. Via a live video feed from the International Space Station, guests saw astronauts, including Nebraska's Clayton Anderson, board the station.
“The Durham Museum's success is directly linked to the involvement of our community and corporate partners,” said Christi Janssen, the Durham's executive director. “We are honored to have the opportunity to work with the amazing men and women who make up our guild.”
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The Fontenelle Nature Association Guild and the Bob and Evelyn Veach Foundation will hold the annual Feather Our Nest event at 6 p.m. Friday at the Livestock Exchange Building.
This year's theme, “Wide World of Wonder,” will focus on the importance of hands-on nature experiences for area youths.
Last year, more than 22,000 children from inner-city neighborhoods visited Fontenelle Forest Nature Center for a free or low-cost environmental education class or field trip. Funds raised by Feather Our Nest 2010 will help the Fontenelle Nature Association continue to provide these opportunities.
“This year's event celebrates the wonders of Fontenelle Forest and promotes nature learning opportunities for the youth of our community,” said Ann Christiansen, president of the Fontenelle Nature Association Guild.
“We are looking forward to a fun-filled evening featuring great entertainment, food and outstanding auction items.”
Tickets are $125 per person. For more information, go to www.wideworldofwonder.com.
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Parkinson's Awareness Month will be highlighted by the third annual Hand in Hand: Linking Lives for Parkinson's. The evening fundraiser will be April 24 at the Embassy Suites La Vista.
The event, sponsored by the Nebraska Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, will feature a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions and a raffle. All funds raised will stay in Nebraska for the organization's educational and support group initiatives.
Dr. Kenneth Follett will be honored as a dedicated partner in supporting the organization. Honorary chairmen are Joan Squires and Thomas Fay.
“Nebraska has the highest number of citizens per capita with Parkinson's disease in the nation, which is why raising public awareness through education is a priority,” said Lisa Brovold, education coordinator for the national group.
For more information, contact the Nebraska chapter at 392-2732 or visit www.parkinsonsne.org.
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