OMAHA -- Timothy Flaherty, 76, had taken a retirement job driving blood samples from hospitals and doctor’s offices to Physicians Laboratory Services in Omaha — all so he could continue to provide for his family.
Timothy Flaherty had been stalled on the north shoulder of Interstate 80 when a drunken driver hit his car, sending it rolling and killing him.
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We go behind the scenes to see how a Lincoln Public Schools central kitchen prepare cinnamon rolls for students. Photographed on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at Lincoln Northeast High School.
Lincoln-area residents who need a helping hand this holiday season
Lincoln Housing Authority
Contact Courtney at 402-434-5529 or email Courtney@l-housing.com
Sasha is a single mother of three girls and two boys, ages 3 through 14. Having completed schooling, she has worked hard to pay off student debt in hopes of becoming financially stable, but funds have been tight. She works full time. She says that even though it’s not always easy, she wouldn’t trade being a mother for the world. She would appreciate receiving socks, hats, gloves, and/or toiletries.
Fresh Start
Fresh Start is working to remodel 6433 Havelock Ave., which houses the Daisy, a thrift clothing store, and its offices. A funding campaign that began quietly in 2020 has raised about $1,274,000 of its $1.5 million goal.
Contact Meg at Fresh Start at 402-475-7777 or megd@freshstarthome.org
Amy came to Fresh Start after leaving a domestic violence situation. She is rebuilding her life and recently started a full-time job. She would like gas cards to help her get to work. Amy loves cooking and would like a new set of pans and baking sheets for when she moves out of Fresh Start.
St. Monica's
Contact Melissa Aldrich at 402-441-3768 or melissa.aldrich@stmonicas.com
Voices of Hope
Contact Yaquelin Cisneros at yaquelin@voicesofhopelincoln.org
Laura, 32, and her four young children relocated to Lincoln after fleeing from sexual abuse. Laura does not have a support system in Lincoln. She spent her savings on relocating and is worried about providing Christmas gifts for her children. She needs store gift cards to buy gifts for her children along with gas gift cards to help stretch her paychecks as much as possible.
Tabitha Meals on Wheels
Richard is a disabled veteran whose physical limitations prevent him from being able to prepare meals. He’s a great candidate for Meals on Wheels but can’t afford the service. $43.75 provides Richard with a week’s worth of warm, nutritious meals, plus a daily visit and well-being check by a volunteer. Contact Susie at 402-486-8509 or Susan.Egr@Tabitha.org.
Susan, a widow and retired teacher, lives alone and no longer drives. She wants to remain in her home, so she relies on Meals on Wheels for a daily meal, although she cannot afford it. $6.25 per day gives Susan the independence she desires through a delivered meal and a friendly visit from a volunteer. Contact Susie at 402-486-8509 or Susan.Egr@Tabitha.org.
Cedars
Contact Mandy Suing at 402-437-8815 or asuing@cedarskids.org.
Logan, 20, is experiencing homelessness and has had to couch-surf at friends’ houses just to have a safe place to spend the night. He had a difficult childhood, but he did maintain a small group of close friends who have supported him. Logan is also a father to a young daughter, but due to his homelessness, he does not get to spend as much time with her as he would like. Cedars has helped Logan find a safe place that will allow for his daughter to come stay with him at times. He would be grateful for cooking utensils, dishes, athletic clothing (adult size L or XL), and gift cards to Walmart and Best Buy.
Lancaster County Adult Drug Court
Contact Ashley at 531-207-5065 or aborchers@lancaster.ne.gov
Jones has excelled since working on his sobriety. He recently moved into his own apartment, is doing phenomenal at work and is excited about his treatment programs. He would be grateful for a coffee maker, toaster, vacuum, cooking utensils and towels.
The Bridge Behavioral Health
Contact Stacie at 402-477-3951 extension 106 or development@thebridgenebraska.org
Andrew, 35, is a resilient soul battling addiction with unwavering determination. His path has been marked by struggles, but his strength in seeking recovery is truly inspiring. As he rebuilds his life, having access to clean, comfortable clothes can boost his self-esteem and help him take one more step toward his recovery. Andrew is a size XL and can use a new wardrobe including a winter coat, shirts, hoodie, pants, socks and underwear.
HopeSpoke
Contact Suzy Thompson at 402-475-7666 or sthompson@hopespoke.org
Alex, 5, sees a HopeSpoke mental health therapist at his elementary school. Mom works to care for Alex and his three older sisters, but the family can’t afford many basic needs; at school, Alex often reports that he didn’t have dinner the night before. Clothes (size 4T-5T, shoes size 12) and toys would brighten Alex’s holidays. He likes dinosaurs, Spiderman, cars, and books. The family also could use gift cards to Walmart for food, clothes, and to buy holiday gifts for his siblings. Contact HopeSpoke for specific needs for Alex’s mom and sisters.
Belmont Community Center
Contact Karen French at 402-477-8854 or at karen.french@belmontcommunitycenter.org
The Dredge family has spent a third of this year in and out of hospitals supporting their 4-year-old son who has a rare spinal condition. This family of five is in constant motion with two working parents, their 6- and 4-year-old sons, and a daughter, nearly 2. They spend a lot of time traveling to and from health care appointments for their son. Gift cards to Target, Walmart, grocery stores, or gas stations would help meet their needs and prepare for the holidays. Gift cards to restaurants or family-fun activities are also welcome as a way for them to spend quality family time.
Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach
Contact Leanne Pelser at Leanne.Pelser@MTKO.org or 402-817-0163
Mary became a regular dining room guest after falling on hard times. She and her 10-year-old daughter recently moved into a new home. Money is short for the holidays. Mary’s daughter doesn’t want to ask for anything for Christmas so as to not burden her mom, but she could use black or navy-blue leggings for school (size 14) and a pair of crocs (women’s size 6). An art lover, Mary’s daughter could use a three-tiered rolling cart to hold art supplies. Mary’s daughter loves the Makit Takit Craft Studio. A gift certificate there would provide great quality time for both mother and daughter. Mary’s daughter also likes to play with makeup and have a spa day with her mom at home. Mary would be grateful for any gifts for her daughter for the holidays to make their first Christmas in their new home a merry one.
Lutheran Family Services
Contact Deanna Borg at 402-968-6580 or deanna.borg@onelfs.org
Tina, a single mom, has been caring for two foster children, ages 5 and 8, without assistance for the past few years. After a difficult year that started with the death of her dad and included fighting an autoimmune disease, multiple surgeries and being unable to work for long periods of time, their family could use gas and grocery gift cards and the opportunity for youth activities through a membership to the YMCA or funds for dance classes.
Center For People In Need
Contact Krista at 402-476-4357 ext. 161 or kraastad@cfpin.org or Kathy at 402-476-4357 ext. 241 or knajjar@cfpin.org
YWCA Lincoln
Contact Halea at 402-309-4153 or halea@ywcalincoln.org
Jackie, a mother of five, has been struggling since being sick. Her husband is not able to work due to having to care for the children. The children are an 8-year-old girl (shoes, size 1 youth; clothes, size 8-9), a 9-year-old girl (shoes 3 youth, clothes 10), a 10-year-old boy (shoes 5 youth, clothes M/10-12), an 11-year-old girl (shoes 5 youth, clothes youth S) and a 16-year-old girl (shoes 7.5 women’s, clothes women’s M/18). The children also need bedding comforters, pillows and pillow cases.
Carol Yoakum Family Resource Center/Arnold CLC
Sarah is a single mom to three teenage boys, one of whom is disabled. She took time off work to take care of her father, who was battling cancer this past year. After he died, Sarah went back to work but got into a serious car crash. A long recovery resulted in her losing her job, and due to the injuries, she is not able to perform all duties in her current job and her hours have been cut. She would love to give her boys some gifts for the holidays but most of the gift programs focus on younger children. The family would like gift cards to Walmart, T.J.Maxx and Best Buy. Two of her boys share a room and would like matching twin beds and black bed frames to match their dresser. The family could also use a new stainless-steel refrigerator to match their stove. Contact Dayna at 402-436-1120 ext. 5.
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
Lila, 31, is a single mother of four children — two boys, ages 2 and 11; and two girls, ages 8 and 6. She recently left her husband because of an abusive relationship. She is trying to find a new place to live and will need household essentials such as bedding/ linens, kitchen supplies, and towels. The family could use gift cards to help with this process. Please call or text Amity at LLCHD, 402-310-9145.
Christy is a single mother of a child who has developmental delays. She has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and needs gas cards to get to and from her appointments. She also could use some help with Christmas for her son. She is currently not working, and faces extra expenses that her medical condition is requiring. Gift cards to purchase groceries and gas will be appreciated. Please call Amity at 402-441-5640 or text 402-310-9145.
The HUB Central Access Point for Young Adults
Contact Rose Hood-Buss at 402-471-8526 and rose@hublincoln.org or Lindsey Drake at ldrake@hublincoln.org
Becky, 18, is a high school senior who is graduating a semester early and will be attending Southeast Community College in the spring. She has been supporting herself by working while also attending high school. She does not have family in the state and comes from a non-traditional support system. She lives with her sister, but will be required to move before the holidays. She would like some things to make her new place a home, clothing items and some hygiene products. Lotion, socks (small or medium) sweatpants (medium or large; preferably gray, black, or neutral colors), feminine hygiene products, a blanket, and school supplies (notebooks, colored highlighters, pens).
Aging Partners
Shannon, 69, has multiple health conditions that limit her mobility. She needs an electric wheelchair to get around, but her insurance will not cover the full cost. Any donation would be appreciated. Contact Maggie at 402-441-7052 or mschumacher@lincoln.ne.gov
Mattie, 70, has breast cancer and several other chronic diseases. Living on a fixed income in west Lincoln, she must travel to medical appointments and to pick up prescriptions, driving an old car that has avoided major repairs. The air-conditioner broke this spring, so she drove all summer without it. She received some Casey’s gas cards from the American Cancer Society. Now that the seasons are changing, Mattie seeks donations to have her car heater/air conditioner fixed so she will be able to stay warm in the colder weather. Contact Velvet at 402-441-6109 or vhoskins@lincoln.ne.gov
Catholic Social Services
Contact Patty Lang at 402-327-6229 or plang@csshope.org or Mike Fitzgerald at 402-327-6203 or mfitzgerald@csshope.org
Man, 36, a self-employed vending machine supplier, became severely ill this summer due to an autoimmune disorder. It caused antibodies to attack his kidneys, resulting in missed work and a loss of clients. He is still severely ill, but is attempting to work as much as he can. Doctors say it will be months before he might start to recover. His wife is disabled due to fibromyalgia. They have five children (ages 13, 9, 9, 8 and 3). Gift cards to Walmart and Target would help them prepare for the holidays, in addition to gift cards to restaurants or family-fun activities.
Families Inspiring Families
Natalie has lots of medical problems and lives with her parents so they can help with her two girls. She struggles with her own mental health and in trying to help a daughter dealing with her own mental health issues. Her oldest daughter is 13 (woman's size M, jeans 13/14 and shoes 8) and is into volleyball and teenage girl stuff. Her 6-year-old daughter wears 5T clothing and size 13 shoes and is into anything girlie. Contact Mandi Solie at 402-875-1596
A single mom worked with Families Inspiring Families voluntarily in wanting a better relationship with her 6-year-old son. She completed an Active Parenting class, implemented the parenting strategies and is developing a stronger relationship. Mom pays out of pocket for his after-school child care and would appreciate help with boys size 7 clothes and action figure toys. Contact Doretta Brookins at 402-875-1595 or dbrookins@familiesinspiringfamilies.org
