Community Involvement Award
2011 Tony & Carment Messineo Community Involvement Award Winners
Gus Dornbusch-Kiwanis InternationalGus Dornbusch has been a member of Kiwanis International since 2001, joining as a member of the Sunrise Kiwanis chapter here in Lincoln. He has served in many leadership capacities including District Treasurer, Governor Elect, and his current position as District Governor. As Governor, Gus has made TeamMates a Kiwanis priority project, speaking to the 24 divisions across Nebraska and Iowa about the need for mentors for the youth of our communities. Gus has served as a mentor since 1997, when the program expanded to include community volunteers, and is currently mentoring his 5th student.
The Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation
The Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in 1972 by the founder, Ethel S. Abbott. This private foundation strives to give a helping hand to those 501(C)(3) organizations that are trying to make a difference in people's lives. The foundation serves diverse areas of focus, such as: education, the arts, the environment, programs that serve disadvantaged children, human services, and sports and wellness programs. It is the foundation's desire to continue to touch people's lives through the generosity and foresight of Mrs. Abbott, just as she did during her lifetime.
The Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation has generously provided scholarships for students in the TeamMates Mentoring Program to participate in summer sports programs at the Abbott Sports Complex, free of charge.
Gordmans Gordmans, Inc.,
Gordmans, Inc., operates 68 stores in 16 states throughout the Midwest, has a long tradition of support of the local communities in which it operates and maintains a philosophy of giving back to the communities that have made the company so successful. Gordmans and its guests support local educational systems several times a year through the sales of "Helping Hands" for Partners in Education, as well as making a large donation with each new store opening, of which the Lincoln TeamMates Program was a recipient with the opening of Gordmans N. 27th St. location in Lincoln.
Daniels Fund
The mission of the Daniels Fund is to partner with individuals, organizations, and communities to recognize inherent value, develop abilities, and provide opportunities in order to fulfill its collective potential. The Daniels Fund adheres to the fundamental principles embodied by its founder, Bill Daniels, which includes creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences. This is done through supporting organizations that are changing the lives of people in the communities it serves, and through investing in the many incredible programs that are making a real difference in improving the lives of those in need.
2010 Tony & Carmen Messineo Community Involvement Award Winners
Pastor Greg BouvierGreg Bouvier is the Executive Pastor of Sheridan Lutheran Church. An at-risk child himself, he overcame significant challenges by the grace of God and with the help of many adults and peers who took an interest enough to see his potential despite his mistakes. Pastor Greg's passion for TeamMates is rooted in the understanding that mentoring works and that life-long learning is the key to true fulfillment. Pastor Greg has spoken on behalf of TeamMates in a variety of venues, reaches out to other faith-based organizations to inspire them to become a TeamMates partner, and helped establish a link between his church and Belmont Elementary School, a partnership which has been mutually beneficial for each community. This effort has served as a model of sorts for the beginning of the "Faith-based Initiative" for Lincoln TeamMates.
Southwood Lutheran Church
Southwood Lutheran expresses its priority of giving back to the community by generously supporting several ways for the congregation to serve, including through TeamMates. They feel TeamMates' values and commitment to serving youth with compassion and respect align with Southwood's emphases. The partnership bears much fruit as Southwood engages in ongoing, proactive approaches to supporting TeamMates financially and through building new mentoring relationships throughout the year. They currently have 27 mentors and growing.
Nelnet
Nelnet is one of the leading education planning and financing companies in the United States and is focused on providing student loans and other products and services to education-seeking families and schools nationwide. Nelnet has relationships with more than 2,300 colleges and universities and their dedicated financial aid offices. Nelnet has worked closely with each of these schools to try to provide their students with the best available products and services, including highly competitive student loan terms and benefits and the highest quality servicing. In achieving these goals, Nelnet has been a leader in ethical lending practices and integrity in the industry.
US Bank
U.S. Bank has a long history of supporting the communities where we do business. Our priority focus in this area remains unchanged -- we will improve the communities where we live and work through both financial support and employee volunteerism. U.S. Bank makes significant investments, loans and cash grants that help develop our communities. Our employees enhance that support as active, engaged volunteers. They provide the talent, expertise and passion that help meet the goals of nonprofit organizations, schools and civic groups where they volunteer. Our goal is to help ensure that the places where we live and work are prosperous for years to come.
Dr. E. Susan Gourley
E. Susan Gourley is the superintendent for the Lincoln Public Schools district, serving 32,320 students in grades pre-K through 12. Students are housed in 61 schools and program sites. With a general budget of $268,422,400, the district has a staff of 7,000. She has been LPS superintendent since 2004. She has been firmly committed to TeamMates and the benefits it brings to Lincoln Public Schools students.
