November 21, 2025 • 30 mins
This week’s show featured SHARE Omaha executive director Teresa Mardesen promoting volunteer and donation efforts in advance of Giving Tuesday, Scouting America Mid-America Council’s Joe Wiltrout and Kendra Howell discussing the benefits of scouting and an upcoming fundraising event, and Tangier Shrine’s Jim Hirl inviting the public to the Feztival of Trees event.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
This is Community Matters, a weekly public affairs program to
inform and entertain you with some of the great people, organizations,
and events in and around Omaha. Now here's the host
of the program from news radio eleven ten kfab It's
Scott for Heats.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Thank you so much for being a part of our
program this week. We are here in the midst of
the holidays and a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season to
you coming up in just over a week from now.
We're already to Giving Tuesday. On Tuesday, obviously December two,
a big day in the calendar and certainly a big
(00:42):
day on the share Omaha website share Omaha dot org.
We've got their executive director, Teresa Martisen, back with us
here on Community Matters. Teresa, welcome back to the show.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Glad to be here.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Seems like we're just here the other day. No time
flies Tuesday right on? That happened. Yeah, yeah, So tell
me about For those who say I've heard of it,
I'm not really sure what it's all about. What is
Giving Tuesday all about?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
You bet? Giving Tuesday is the global generosity movement. It's
always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It's where we unleash the
power of people to transform their communities because it's global
and the world.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Yeah, this is just volunteering time dollars to nonprofits and
that's where shaer Omaha comes in. Not a nonprofit. You
give money too, though I'm sure you would probably accept
it if they wanted to to keep things operational. You know,
we never talk about that on this show. You always
talk about giving time and money to other organizations. Does
(01:37):
your organization accept volunteer money and whether it's volunteer hours
or anything.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, we do have volunteer opportunities, absolutely sure.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Okay, Well let's spend a moment on that. We're always
looking out for everyone else. Who's looking out for you?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Well, we are looking out for everyone, you know. So
you know, we represent five hundred plus nonprofits and you
know we've got generous people in the community who donate
and volunteer. One thing Shara Maha does is we help
write Thank yous for that. So that's a volunteer need
for sure for Shara Maha. So absolutely every nonprofit has
(02:11):
a volunteer need. That would be one for Shareman.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
So you go to share Olmaha dot com. What do
you find there?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Teresa yeah, if you go to Shera Maha dot org. Yeah,
Shara Maha dot org is the local organizer of Giving
Tuesday four too. We represent five county region in Nebraska here,
so mostly you know here in the metro. That's where
people in community can go to make a donation, volunteer.
The donations can be either cash or shopping wish list items,
(02:39):
all in one location. That's the key. It's also important
to know Shara Maha does not keep any percentage of
that giving goes all to that nonprofit, all in one place.
We emphasize that because that is a place to learn
about nonprofits maybe you hadn't heard of in a cause
area you care about in twenty twenty five or in fact,
(03:00):
we had one in four of our Giving Tuesday donors
at share Omaha dot org give to a new to
them nonprofit. That means they found something that was close
to their heart, but maybe a nonprofit they had never
heard of that was doing that work.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
So that's what I really like about the website when
I get it right on the air here share Omaha
dot org. Thank you for that. Important clarification is you
can search by something that you're passionate about so maybe
it's veterans, maybe it's cats. Maybe it's cats who are veterans.
You can search on share Omaha dot org and you'll
(03:35):
find all the local nonprofits that all lined up that
work in that area. And that's got to be just
really painstaking to research. Is this a legitimate organization and
what is it that that needs to happen so they
can get on your website, so you make sure that
you're linking people with good organizations. That's quite a process,
(03:55):
isn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Yeah, I mean there's a process. Our organisations in the
metro are amazing. They're very mission focused. And to be
a nonprofit member of shao Maha dot org you need
to be a nonprofits that has had your five and
one c three for at least a year, and an
operational website of course that you know to be able
(04:17):
to process and be able to share what your mission is.
But once you have that, the process to become a
member is really pretty simple. To become listed as a
profile member on Shaomha dot org.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Well, it's great that you do that because people get
bombarded with requests all the time and if you think, well,
I'm interested in potentially working with the new organization, but
you don't have the time to vet is this a
legitimate organization? But that's what you guys do. So you
can find that cause that you care about homeless children,
for example, and you've already vetted the organization when they're
(04:52):
on the website, you can trust that you're finding a
link to a legitimate group here that's working right here
in the community as well. So thank you so much
for putting all the time and effort towards that. So
on Giving Tuesday, there's something specific about giving on that
day that's very special. How does that work?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, So what we do is, you know, it's one
day of fundraising, right, so what can all you know,
the generous people in our community do in just one day.
But we also like to think of it's more than that.
It's also an opportunity for nonprofits to build awareness for
what they do. As we've been talking about. You know,
you can you know what keeps you up at night?
(05:33):
You know what cause?
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Area?
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Hunger? Is it some sort of health issue that you
know someone close to you has. So Giving Tuesdays and
also an opportunity to learn about that. Nonprofits build awareness
and they also discover new long term supporters in that
process on shayl Maha dot org on Giving Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Right and some or this is different from organization organization,
but you'll start if you've ever give in to or
volunteer your time, because that's something else you can link
on the website. It's not just like click here and
give money. You can also volunteer time and you can
find out specifically what they need there.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Right, you bet, at various phases in our life, we
have more time than treasure available, maybe more talent than whatever.
So you can search based on that. You know, do
you have a certain skill set that you want to
use your skills to volunteer tier for did you learn
something growing up that you might think, well, what need
could there be for that? And if you go to
(06:30):
Sharamha dot org and search by skill set or just
click the volunteer button on that left hand side, there
are so many opportunities to volunteer, you know, whether it's woodworking,
even crocheting. You know, do you have good penmanship? Do
you know thank you cards? Do you you know? Do
you are you an engineer and would love to empower
(06:52):
youth to also you know, scratch that itch? And learn engineering. Uh,
there's volunteer opportunities there through mentorship, all kinds of things.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So I'm glad it's there because I don't have time, talent, treasure,
or good penmanship. But I'm sure if I, if I
peruse the website long enough, I'll find something that even
I can help out with. And that's what share Omaha
dot org is so much fun for. And I was
starting to say a lot of organizations on Giving Tuesday,
we'll have special matches throughout the day as well, so
(07:21):
you're if it is that you're sharing some of that treasure,
it might go a little further on the specific day.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Yeah, And we do list those matches and put that
information out there, so we all, you know, we all
love to know if we can, well everybody loves to double,
you know, amplify that donation, you know, multiply your impact.
That feels really good. So we have a lot of
organizations and companies that do step up with the matches,
which is amazing.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
So and it's a full twenty four hours. You'll start
getting the emails at midnight on Giving Tuesday and you
won't get them and you'll get them throughout the day
until midnight the twenty four hours later. It's it's really
fun too. And a lot of these organizations they kind
of set their budget on how much they're able to
help the community in twenty twenty six based on what
(08:10):
happens on Giving Tuesday twenty twenty five. Right.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Absolutely, it's the time of year where they're all planning
for the next year, like we all do in our
own personal budgets, right, we're always planning ahead. They do
as well. When people in the community leverage to Giving Tuesday,
for giving, volunteering, even shopping wishless items. That puts nonprofits
on a solid foundation starting in January twenty twenty six,
(08:34):
when they had a solid December and they can really say, okay,
we are we are solid. Our generous community has put
us in the position to start off the year focused
on our mission one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
It seems like every year more and more people are
aware of it. They're getting coworkers, friends and family together
with giving and it ends up kind of taking on
a life of its own. Do you have any idea
how much more was given last year than the previous year,
or do they have any kind of goals that they're
looking for in terms of the totality through your website
and how much to give. Is there a number we're
(09:07):
going to put on? This is what I'm asking our number.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Well, i'll tell you. Since twenty nineteen, the community share
Omaha dot org has inspired more than twenty two point
five million in giving. We like to set our goal
between four and five million. However, this year even more so,
we are looking for new donors because then that tells
(09:34):
us that people in the community have become aware of
a new nonprofit, they have learned about how even twenty
five dollars can make an impact. So we're really looking
for new donors in the community and it can be
as simple as twenty five dollars. So that's our focussute.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
And you know, putting a number on it is great,
but you think about what has been done with that
twenty two and a half million dollars. That's neighbors fed,
that's kids with back backs for after school programs, full
of food, that's veterans assisted, that's doggies and no kill shelters.
That's so many different things. And you can go right
to share Omaha dot org and type in there and
(10:13):
see what they can connect you with. Something that you're
really passionate about. And if you think, well, I don't know,
I just want to help, then there's resources on there
that kind of direct you one way and you can
really shop all right there. It's it's just a fun
website to check out and be overwhelmed at how many
different organizations there are nonprofits right here in the Omaha
metro area. But once you start boiling down in terms
(10:36):
of need and category, it's not that overwhelming. It's a
great website. Teresa Martisen is executive director of Share Omaha
dot org. Anything else we need to know about Giving Tuesday?
On December twelfth.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Giving Tuesday, we talked a lot about even the simplest amount,
even the smallest amount. Just a couple examples. A one
hundred dollars donation will fuel one truck for a week
for Saving Grace, perishable food Rescue. We talked about food
insecurity and kids that puts food in bellies not landfills.
(11:11):
Another example is fifty dollars donation will empower one Omaha
to fund a resident led mini grant that's so important
right now. Another one is fifty five dollars will enable
Omaha Street School to expand their vocational and training and
certification programs. Again that is for youth. So these are
real simple ways to make an impact. Just go to
(11:31):
share Omaha dot org. There's many more examples, packaged up
and well organized to search and find what inspires you.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Share Omaha dot org is the website. Tuesday, December second
is Giving Tuesday. Teresa Martinson is executive director of Share
Omaha dot org. Always a pleasure to have you on
the program. Thank you so much for taking the time,
Thanks for what you're doing for the community, and thanks
for telling us about it on Community Matters. You're listening
to Community Matters. I love talking with those from Scouting America,
(12:05):
the Mid America Council. We've got a couple of special
guests from this organization online at MAC Scouts dot org.
We have their special events director Kendra Howell with us,
but we'll start here with the Chief Development Officer, Joe Wiltrout. Joe,
Welcome to Community Matters. Good to see you, Good.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
To see you, and thanks for having us today. You
know we're here to talk about our investment in Character luncheon.
That's a free luncheon every December. This year, we're going
to be at the Chi Center December third, and we're
super excited to have Rex Tillerson as our keynote speaker.
As you may recall, Rex was the former CEO of
(12:47):
Exon Mobile and former Secretary of State for our country.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
That's right, So a lot of people don't realize, you know,
just how impactful Exon Mobile has been throughout the history
of America. And I'm anxious to kind of hear what
he's talking about as it relates to this organization. I
know some of those titles you mentioned, I didn't know.
I presume he came up through scouting.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
He is. He did.
Speaker 6 (13:11):
He's an Eagle Scout. He's also a Distinguished Eagle Scout.
He also had the privileged opportunity to serve as our
national board chair for the national organization Excellent.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
So that's coming up on Wednesday, December third is the date.
There a luncheon event at Cocha Health Center downtown Omaha,
and we'll talk to Kendrick get all the details about that,
But tell me about how Scouting America is ready to
take on whatever twenty twenty six is thrown at us
to be able to empower young people and give them
the skills they need. To succeed in life.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
Yeah, so our goal is to make sure that all
youth we serve over twenty two thousand youth across one
hundred and two counties in western Iowa and all of
Nebraska and southern South Dakota. But our goal is to
really empower people and young people for being leaders of tomorrow.
(14:11):
In fact, our excuse me, our theme this year is
fueling Tomorrow's Leaders and Rex is going to be with
us to speak about leadership, one of the core tenants
of Scouting America. We're also all about the outdoors, physical fitness, citizenship,
(14:31):
and character.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
What have you gotten out of being associated with Scouting
throughout your life?
Speaker 6 (14:35):
Joe, Well, I'm an Eagle Scout, a product of the program,
got to actions, got my eagle in nineteen eighty seven
and Greensburg, Pennsylvania. But I've been very fortunate to be
a professional scouter for twenty nine years and make this
a career's life's work and worked in six different councils
across the country in three different regions. So it's it's
(15:00):
just been a great thing for me and my family
and to really give back to the community. It's not
just about kids, but it's all about how we are
embracing in bettering families.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
When did you realize that your dabbling and scouting was
going to get more serious to where you were pursuing
the Eagle Scout And then I presume you told someone, Hey,
if you ever need any help with anything, let me know,
which then led to a career working with the organization.
How did that all go through throughout.
Speaker 6 (15:28):
Your Yeah, So after college, we relocated to Atlanta, Georgia,
had some family there, and I had the fortunate opportunity
to be an assistant scout master for two of my
nephew's troop. And one thing led to another, And you
know they say it's only an hour a week, but
it goes longer than that.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Well, if you're passionate about it, you're not working, but
you're also putting a ton of time towards this little
hobby that suddenly you look back and go, Wow, this
is most of my life being involve this. So that's
what you can really look forward to by getting your
family associated with Scouting America. Mid America Council Chief Development
Officer Joe Wiltrout there we also have with us. They're
(16:12):
special Events Director Kendra Howell is here to talk more
about how you can be involved in this special lunching
event coming up on Wednesday, December third. Kendra, tell me
about what people need to do right now so they
can be a part of this event on Wednesday, December third.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
Yeah, so if we could have everybody go to our
website macbsa dot org slash donate, they can go ahead
and register for the event, let us know that they'll
be there December third from eleven thirty to one listening
to Rex Tillerson speak and our amazing impact stories. We
(16:50):
also would love to see everybody come to experience our
displays outside of the venue, which we'll have some stuff
from camp and we'll have our Invention Scouts doing some
different things there with the Stamp program and speaking to
(17:11):
the kids about what they can be a part.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Of with that.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Yeah, that's fine. It's great to get the kids involved too,
and I'm sure they don't mind taking a little time
out of school to be able to be a part
of this on that day as well, right.
Speaker 7 (17:23):
Yeah, definitely, there will be a great meal for them
to have and a great yes, a great excuse to
get at school for the day.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
So we will we'll reinforce that website that Kendrick gave
a moment ago so you can I'll give you a
moment to get a pin and paper handy or start
typing into your phone or your web browser so you
can see more about this. But what are we eating
on that day? I hear Joe talking about a lunch
and event. People are getting hungry, So what are we
eating on that day?
Speaker 7 (17:47):
Yeah? The menu will be chicken pesto with a Caprizi
salad and we're going to have tiramasius for desserts. So
I know I'm excited for that.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Yeah, that's great. That's a lot better than some of
the banquet food you normally. Here's some old so there's
some old potatoes and if you support nothing wrong with
all that. But if you're talking about Caprize salad and
tira masoux, I'm in Yeah, all right. So we're getting
a really good lunch, We're getting a really good speaker.
You're getting a chance to see some of these scouts
show off what they've gotten from scouting. How much does
(18:20):
it cost to get in there? And there are seats
still available?
Speaker 7 (18:23):
Yes, there are seats still available. It is free to attend.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
We just have Yeah, it's a terrible fuss.
Speaker 7 (18:30):
We do have a suggested donation of two hundred dollars
per guest.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Okay, yeah, very nice, and you just give what you
can certainly, Yeah, definitely, because what can you turn that
money into throughout the coming year for Scouting America Kendra.
Speaker 7 (18:44):
Yeah, so this will help with our for kids to
go to camp, and so we do have some individuals
who maybe can't afford camp, and so this allows them
to have that camp experience. It also helps allows us
to have events throughout the year with the students and
(19:04):
the youth and to be able to really bring them
some fun programs throughout the year. I know we have
a lot of events with like the Jubilee and Camporees
and stuff where kids and their family can experience some
fun and what it means to be a Scout.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Yeah. So if you've got kids who are coming up
through Scouting, do you get them out of school and
bring them to this luncheon event or is this more
for the adults to take a look at.
Speaker 7 (19:31):
I would say both, you know, with our pre function
space and being able to experience that those fun activities,
I think, you know, having them those and those kids
who are interested in becoming a Scout or already or
Scouts some fun activities that maybe they won't have at
school that day. But also we are more than welcome,
(19:53):
more than welcoming of the parents and adults, and so
both both are.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Yeah. So once again, Kendra tell people what webs they
need to go to or what they need to do
right now so they can be a part of this
event on Wednesday, December third.
Speaker 7 (20:05):
Yes, So if you can go to our website at
mac mac dash, bsa dot org slash donate and then
from there it will take you to our event site
where they can register.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Just look up the Mid America Council of Scouting America
and there's various things you can click on. Someone will
direct you for some reason you can't find all that here,
and it'll probably be Kendra you find online there. She
is the Special Events director with Scouting America's Mid America Council.
Joe Wiltrout, Chief Development Officer, thank you so much for
putting on this great event here in our town. Thanks
(20:42):
for what you do for young men and women in
our community, and thanks for telling us about it on
community matters.
Speaker 7 (20:48):
You bet, Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Thank you, thank you so much for being with us
on community matters this week. As has been the theme
throughout the day's show, we are in the holiday season
and this is an annual event that says welcome to
the holiday season to the Omaha metro area. It's the
Annual Fezivol of Trees. Emphasis on the first part of
(21:10):
that word f e Z in other words, those little
hats that the Shriners wear. And we have here from
the Tangier Shriners. Jim Hurle, Feestival, chairman of the Annual
Festival of Trees event. Jim, thank you so much for
being here on the program.
Speaker 5 (21:25):
Well, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
So let's first talk about what the organization is all about.
The Tangier Shriners. Tell me about this group.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
Okay, Well, the Tangier shne has been around for many,
many years and basically one of our missions is to
get the kids to the hospital and take care of
the childreners.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Yeah, that's such a nice thing. How'd you get involved?
Speaker 5 (21:47):
I was basically knowing a lot of people and finally
I asked them how I got involved in They got
me into it.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
Yeah, and once you get involved, there you know when
you realize you're helping out kids need right here in
the community, it's kind of hard to say I'm busy,
I can't help and when you see the need that's
out there, right.
Speaker 5 (22:07):
Yep, that's true. My wife thinks I lived there, but.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Yeah, I'm sure. Well it's it's a beautiful building there,
not far from about eighty fourth and Center Street. I've
been in the community for a very long time. I
grew up kind of in that neighborhood, so I'd always
drive by the Tangier Shrine building and I'd see you
guys in the Ralston parade and everything, and oh wow,
these guys you have fun while doing it too. An organization,
(22:31):
whether it's a spaghetti feed or this annual event, tell
me about this year's fees deevol of Trees.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Well, this year we've got sixty eight trees who had
to actually turned some people away. But they're all beautiful
and they're fully decorated. They've got gifts and stuff under them,
so people can come in. It's two dollars for an
adult to get in, kids under twelve for free, and
then they can buy raffle takers to try to wind
these trees. If you win the tree, you get the
(22:57):
tree and every gifts and all that stuff. Everything underneath
it is yours.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
And it's underway now and it's just going for a
few days. So what are all the details, including where
this event is and where people can go for more information?
Speaker 5 (23:08):
Okay, it's that Tangier Shrine Center, eighty fourth in center
and they can go to Tangier dot com. And like
I said, the tickets are two dollars. We got sixty
eight trees. We've got a silk Leave cafe in there
where we have sandwiches, sednament and pecon rolled pies, cookies.
We made sixteen thousand sugar cookies for the event.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
And it's going on all week, right.
Speaker 5 (23:31):
Yes, it goes on till the twenty ninth of November.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Okay, So and don't worry if you're not able to
get there until later in the week. It's not like
people are just plucking the trees and it's like coming
at the end of the garage sale, right, you know,
people are registering throughout the week for these trees and
trying to win them, trying to get these raffle prizes.
So you can still see everything in a few days
that you can today, right, yep, that's true, all right,
(23:56):
and then let's talk about the snacks and everything. What
can people snack and to eat and drink while they're there.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Okay, well, we have brisket, sloppy Joe's Pole pork, my
famous chicken salad.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Croissants, famous chicken salad.
Speaker 5 (24:10):
Croissants, that's what the lady's saying.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
I don't know, so yeah, good.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
We have cinnamon and pecan rolls, which everybody loves. We
go through over a thousand of those during the week.
So and then I said, sixteen thousand sugar cookies.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
So all right, and tell me about the trees themselves here,
because people think like, oh, I'm gonna go look at
kind of a Christmas tree with a few lights and
you know, bobbles hanging from it. Some people go really
really big on these trees.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
Yes they do. They go crazy. The trees are worth
anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars, and I
don't I've never seen a tree only worth five hundred.
They're all between one thousand and five thousand. So yeah,
some people have competition, you know, so like different car dealerships,
they try to outdo the other guys. So it's it's
really a fun event and they're all beautif full of trees,
(25:01):
a lot of different designs that you're never seen at
Christmas tree.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Right, there's some fun themes involved with them. The great
the decoration goes well beyond tinsel. You know, whatever your
mom had you do to decorate that tree. There's it's
just a really it's a feast for the eyes every year.
And the chance that you could win one of these things,
it's pretty special and get it in time to be
able to enjoy it at your home or office throughout
the holiday season by doing this kind of early. So
(25:27):
once again, what are the hours where do people go?
Do you need to buy tickets in advance? Give us
all the details, Jim, we need to know about this
year's Festival of Trees event.
Speaker 5 (25:36):
Okay, Well, on Saturdays we open up and it's usually
from nine to nine, except for the last Saturday, it's
nine to five because we've drawn for the trees at
six o'clock, so we close down everything there. During the week,
it's ten to nine most days, and Sunday is from
noon till five.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Okay, So and then you don't need to buy tickets
in advance to show up.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
You can even go online, but you can just show up.
Like I said, we got people there and it's just
two dollars to get in and it's it's just a
great way to start off the holidays. And by the way,
Santa said that he's going to be there. He personally
called me, so he is going to show up.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Really, when might we be able to see the jolly
old health.
Speaker 5 (26:19):
We're going to put it on the website as to
when he's going to be there at different times.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
And that's tangiers dot com. Yes, that's the name of
the website for the Tangier Shriners. Right there off eighty
fourth and Center. You can't miss it. Jim Hurls the
Vestivol chairman for the annual Festival of Trees event at
the Tangier Shrine here in Omaha, going on throughout the
week until Saturday. You're going to love being there, eating
(26:46):
and enjoying the feast for the eyes that is all
the trees on display. Might even win one of them.
And if you go there and eat some of Jim's
famous chicken salad croissants, what is it that is, then
you're going to be a winner. Anyway for just a
couple of bucks a person, kids get in free. Super
fun event underway now. Go to Tangiers dot com for
(27:10):
more details. Jim Hurls, the festival chairman, the annual Festival
of Trees fundraiser for the Tangier Shrine here in Omaha,
thank you so much for what you're doing for kids
and families in our community, putting on this fun annual
event and telling us about it here on Community Matters.
Speaker 5 (27:26):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
We got a couple of minutes left here on community
matters this week. Let's hear from a recent edition of
kfab's Morning News and the host of that program, Gary Sadlemeyer.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
Pleasure to welcome Mike Hilgers back to the program. Nebraska
Attorney General, Mike, good morning, Good to.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
Have you back.
Speaker 8 (27:42):
Good morning, Gary, great to be here. Thank you.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
Bet. I want to find out more about this lawsuit
you filed on behalf of the state of Nebraska against
foign billionaire from Migas, Switzerland, who has been you say,
pouring money into here to boost these ballot initiatives. Tell
me more about this. That is illegal, right, yep, that's right.
(28:06):
Not only they've been pouring money, they've been pouring massive
amounts of money. Last cycle by our count Gary was
almost ten million dollars. This might be a little not
very much in New York City or California, but as
you know, in Nebraska, that's an enormous amount of money.
And what we did is we trace those dollars through
a number of intermediaries back to mister Weese Osborg Weis,
who's a sweetish billionaire. And in Nebraska, actually one of
(28:29):
the few states is only about ten or so maybe
thirteen by our count Gary, that have this in law
that prohibit direct or indirect funding by foreign nationals of
Nebraska state ballot initiatives, and so it is against the law.
We think what they've done is it violates that law,
and we filed a lawsuit to stop them. Does that
(28:50):
law also apply to campaigns for office holders or only
to ballot initiatives?
Speaker 8 (28:58):
There is a separate law that I I believe Gary
does also prohibit contributions to candidates, but I actually would
have to double check that. With's interesting Gary. For a
long time people thought at the federal level that foreign
funding of state elections was banned, and what happened was
in twenty twenty one, the FBC issued a ruling interpreting
(29:19):
federal law and saying, actually, everyone, that is not the case.
And so there was this potential loophole for foreign funding
of state elections in Nebraska. Actually, Senator John Cavaat it's
a bipartisan issue. Senator John Kavanaugh brought an amendment on
the floor. I was speaker. I voted for it to
close that loophole in Nebraska. And I just can't remember
if there was a state of specific prohivision for candidate
(29:39):
that there's not. By the way, I'd encourage the legislature
to fix that whole.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
This has been Community Matters, a weekly public affairs special
on Cat one O three, Omaha's Greatest Hits, ninety nine
point nine kg R News Radio, eleven ten KFAB, Country's
Greatest Hits ninety three three The Wolf, and ninety six
to one Kiss FM. Thank you, Thank you so much
for listening, and enjoy the rest of your day.
This is Community Matters, a weekly public affairs program to
inform and entertain you with some of the great people, organizations,
and events in and around Omaha. Now here's the host
of the program from news radio eleven ten kfab It's
Scott for Heats.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Thank you so much for being a part of our
program this week. We are here in the midst of
the holidays and a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season to
you coming up in just over a week from now.
We're already to Giving Tuesday. On Tuesday, obviously December two,
a big day in the calendar and certainly a big
(00:42):
day on the share Omaha website share Omaha dot org.
We've got their executive director, Teresa Martisen, back with us
here on Community Matters. Teresa, welcome back to the show.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Glad to be here.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Seems like we're just here the other day. No time
flies Tuesday right on? That happened. Yeah, yeah, So tell
me about For those who say I've heard of it,
I'm not really sure what it's all about. What is
Giving Tuesday all about?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
You bet? Giving Tuesday is the global generosity movement. It's
always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It's where we unleash the
power of people to transform their communities because it's global
and the world.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Yeah, this is just volunteering time dollars to nonprofits and
that's where shaer Omaha comes in. Not a nonprofit. You
give money too, though I'm sure you would probably accept
it if they wanted to to keep things operational. You know,
we never talk about that on this show. You always
talk about giving time and money to other organizations. Does
(01:37):
your organization accept volunteer money and whether it's volunteer hours
or anything.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, we do have volunteer opportunities, absolutely sure.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Okay, Well let's spend a moment on that. We're always
looking out for everyone else. Who's looking out for you?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Well, we are looking out for everyone, you know. So
you know, we represent five hundred plus nonprofits and you
know we've got generous people in the community who donate
and volunteer. One thing Shara Maha does is we help
write Thank yous for that. So that's a volunteer need
for sure for Shara Maha. So absolutely every nonprofit has
(02:11):
a volunteer need. That would be one for Shareman.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
So you go to share Olmaha dot com. What do
you find there?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Teresa yeah, if you go to Shera Maha dot org. Yeah,
Shara Maha dot org is the local organizer of Giving
Tuesday four too. We represent five county region in Nebraska here,
so mostly you know here in the metro. That's where
people in community can go to make a donation, volunteer.
The donations can be either cash or shopping wish list items,
(02:39):
all in one location. That's the key. It's also important
to know Shara Maha does not keep any percentage of
that giving goes all to that nonprofit, all in one place.
We emphasize that because that is a place to learn
about nonprofits maybe you hadn't heard of in a cause
area you care about in twenty twenty five or in fact,
(03:00):
we had one in four of our Giving Tuesday donors
at share Omaha dot org give to a new to
them nonprofit. That means they found something that was close
to their heart, but maybe a nonprofit they had never
heard of that was doing that work.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
So that's what I really like about the website when
I get it right on the air here share Omaha
dot org. Thank you for that. Important clarification is you
can search by something that you're passionate about so maybe
it's veterans, maybe it's cats. Maybe it's cats who are veterans.
You can search on share Omaha dot org and you'll
(03:35):
find all the local nonprofits that all lined up that
work in that area. And that's got to be just
really painstaking to research. Is this a legitimate organization and
what is it that that needs to happen so they
can get on your website, so you make sure that
you're linking people with good organizations. That's quite a process,
(03:55):
isn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Yeah, I mean there's a process. Our organisations in the
metro are amazing. They're very mission focused. And to be
a nonprofit member of shao Maha dot org you need
to be a nonprofits that has had your five and
one c three for at least a year, and an
operational website of course that you know to be able
(04:17):
to process and be able to share what your mission is.
But once you have that, the process to become a
member is really pretty simple. To become listed as a
profile member on Shaomha dot org.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Well, it's great that you do that because people get
bombarded with requests all the time and if you think, well,
I'm interested in potentially working with the new organization, but
you don't have the time to vet is this a
legitimate organization? But that's what you guys do. So you
can find that cause that you care about homeless children,
for example, and you've already vetted the organization when they're
(04:52):
on the website, you can trust that you're finding a
link to a legitimate group here that's working right here
in the community as well. So thank you so much
for putting all the time and effort towards that. So
on Giving Tuesday, there's something specific about giving on that
day that's very special. How does that work?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, So what we do is, you know, it's one
day of fundraising, right, so what can all you know,
the generous people in our community do in just one day.
But we also like to think of it's more than that.
It's also an opportunity for nonprofits to build awareness for
what they do. As we've been talking about. You know,
you can you know what keeps you up at night?
(05:33):
You know what cause?
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Area?
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Is it?
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Hunger? Is it some sort of health issue that you
know someone close to you has. So Giving Tuesdays and
also an opportunity to learn about that. Nonprofits build awareness
and they also discover new long term supporters in that
process on shayl Maha dot org on Giving Tuesday.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Right and some or this is different from organization organization,
but you'll start if you've ever give in to or
volunteer your time, because that's something else you can link
on the website. It's not just like click here and
give money. You can also volunteer time and you can
find out specifically what they need there.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Right, you bet, at various phases in our life, we
have more time than treasure available, maybe more talent than whatever.
So you can search based on that. You know, do
you have a certain skill set that you want to
use your skills to volunteer tier for did you learn
something growing up that you might think, well, what need
could there be for that? And if you go to
(06:30):
Sharamha dot org and search by skill set or just
click the volunteer button on that left hand side, there
are so many opportunities to volunteer, you know, whether it's woodworking,
even crocheting. You know, do you have good penmanship? Do
you know thank you cards? Do you you know? Do
you are you an engineer and would love to empower
(06:52):
youth to also you know, scratch that itch? And learn engineering. Uh,
there's volunteer opportunities there through mentorship, all kinds of things.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So I'm glad it's there because I don't have time, talent, treasure,
or good penmanship. But I'm sure if I, if I
peruse the website long enough, I'll find something that even
I can help out with. And that's what share Omaha
dot org is so much fun for. And I was
starting to say a lot of organizations on Giving Tuesday,
we'll have special matches throughout the day as well, so
(07:21):
you're if it is that you're sharing some of that treasure,
it might go a little further on the specific day.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
Yeah, And we do list those matches and put that
information out there, so we all, you know, we all
love to know if we can, well everybody loves to double,
you know, amplify that donation, you know, multiply your impact.
That feels really good. So we have a lot of
organizations and companies that do step up with the matches,
which is amazing.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
So and it's a full twenty four hours. You'll start
getting the emails at midnight on Giving Tuesday and you
won't get them and you'll get them throughout the day
until midnight the twenty four hours later. It's it's really
fun too. And a lot of these organizations they kind
of set their budget on how much they're able to
help the community in twenty twenty six based on what
(08:10):
happens on Giving Tuesday twenty twenty five. Right.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Absolutely, it's the time of year where they're all planning
for the next year, like we all do in our
own personal budgets, right, we're always planning ahead. They do
as well. When people in the community leverage to Giving Tuesday,
for giving, volunteering, even shopping wishless items. That puts nonprofits
on a solid foundation starting in January twenty twenty six,
(08:34):
when they had a solid December and they can really say, okay,
we are we are solid. Our generous community has put
us in the position to start off the year focused
on our mission one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
It seems like every year more and more people are
aware of it. They're getting coworkers, friends and family together
with giving and it ends up kind of taking on
a life of its own. Do you have any idea
how much more was given last year than the previous year,
or do they have any kind of goals that they're
looking for in terms of the totality through your website
and how much to give. Is there a number we're
(09:07):
going to put on? This is what I'm asking our number.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Well, i'll tell you. Since twenty nineteen, the community share
Omaha dot org has inspired more than twenty two point
five million in giving. We like to set our goal
between four and five million. However, this year even more so,
we are looking for new donors because then that tells
(09:34):
us that people in the community have become aware of
a new nonprofit, they have learned about how even twenty
five dollars can make an impact. So we're really looking
for new donors in the community and it can be
as simple as twenty five dollars. So that's our focussute.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
And you know, putting a number on it is great,
but you think about what has been done with that
twenty two and a half million dollars. That's neighbors fed,
that's kids with back backs for after school programs, full
of food, that's veterans assisted, that's doggies and no kill shelters.
That's so many different things. And you can go right
to share Omaha dot org and type in there and
(10:13):
see what they can connect you with. Something that you're
really passionate about. And if you think, well, I don't know,
I just want to help, then there's resources on there
that kind of direct you one way and you can
really shop all right there. It's it's just a fun
website to check out and be overwhelmed at how many
different organizations there are nonprofits right here in the Omaha
metro area. But once you start boiling down in terms
(10:36):
of need and category, it's not that overwhelming. It's a
great website. Teresa Martisen is executive director of Share Omaha
dot org. Anything else we need to know about Giving Tuesday?
On December twelfth.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Giving Tuesday, we talked a lot about even the simplest amount,
even the smallest amount. Just a couple examples. A one
hundred dollars donation will fuel one truck for a week
for Saving Grace, perishable food Rescue. We talked about food
insecurity and kids that puts food in bellies not landfills.
(11:11):
Another example is fifty dollars donation will empower one Omaha
to fund a resident led mini grant that's so important
right now. Another one is fifty five dollars will enable
Omaha Street School to expand their vocational and training and
certification programs. Again that is for youth. So these are
real simple ways to make an impact. Just go to
(11:31):
share Omaha dot org. There's many more examples, packaged up
and well organized to search and find what inspires you.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Share Omaha dot org is the website. Tuesday, December second
is Giving Tuesday. Teresa Martinson is executive director of Share
Omaha dot org. Always a pleasure to have you on
the program. Thank you so much for taking the time,
Thanks for what you're doing for the community, and thanks
for telling us about it on Community Matters. You're listening
to Community Matters. I love talking with those from Scouting America,
(12:05):
the Mid America Council. We've got a couple of special
guests from this organization online at MAC Scouts dot org.
We have their special events director Kendra Howell with us,
but we'll start here with the Chief Development Officer, Joe Wiltrout. Joe,
Welcome to Community Matters. Good to see you, Good.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
To see you, and thanks for having us today. You
know we're here to talk about our investment in Character luncheon.
That's a free luncheon every December. This year, we're going
to be at the Chi Center December third, and we're
super excited to have Rex Tillerson as our keynote speaker.
As you may recall, Rex was the former CEO of
(12:47):
Exon Mobile and former Secretary of State for our country.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
That's right, So a lot of people don't realize, you know,
just how impactful Exon Mobile has been throughout the history
of America. And I'm anxious to kind of hear what
he's talking about as it relates to this organization. I
know some of those titles you mentioned, I didn't know.
I presume he came up through scouting.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
He is. He did.
Speaker 6 (13:11):
He's an Eagle Scout. He's also a Distinguished Eagle Scout.
He also had the privileged opportunity to serve as our
national board chair for the national organization Excellent.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
So that's coming up on Wednesday, December third is the date.
There a luncheon event at Cocha Health Center downtown Omaha,
and we'll talk to Kendrick get all the details about that,
But tell me about how Scouting America is ready to
take on whatever twenty twenty six is thrown at us
to be able to empower young people and give them
the skills they need. To succeed in life.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
Yeah, so our goal is to make sure that all
youth we serve over twenty two thousand youth across one
hundred and two counties in western Iowa and all of
Nebraska and southern South Dakota. But our goal is to
really empower people and young people for being leaders of tomorrow.
(14:11):
In fact, our excuse me, our theme this year is
fueling Tomorrow's Leaders and Rex is going to be with
us to speak about leadership, one of the core tenants
of Scouting America. We're also all about the outdoors, physical fitness, citizenship,
(14:31):
and character.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
What have you gotten out of being associated with Scouting
throughout your life?
Speaker 6 (14:35):
Joe, Well, I'm an Eagle Scout, a product of the program,
got to actions, got my eagle in nineteen eighty seven
and Greensburg, Pennsylvania. But I've been very fortunate to be
a professional scouter for twenty nine years and make this
a career's life's work and worked in six different councils
across the country in three different regions. So it's it's
(15:00):
just been a great thing for me and my family
and to really give back to the community. It's not
just about kids, but it's all about how we are
embracing in bettering families.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
When did you realize that your dabbling and scouting was
going to get more serious to where you were pursuing
the Eagle Scout And then I presume you told someone, Hey,
if you ever need any help with anything, let me know,
which then led to a career working with the organization.
How did that all go through throughout.
Speaker 6 (15:28):
Your Yeah, So after college, we relocated to Atlanta, Georgia,
had some family there, and I had the fortunate opportunity
to be an assistant scout master for two of my
nephew's troop. And one thing led to another, And you
know they say it's only an hour a week, but
it goes longer than that.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Well, if you're passionate about it, you're not working, but
you're also putting a ton of time towards this little
hobby that suddenly you look back and go, Wow, this
is most of my life being involve this. So that's
what you can really look forward to by getting your
family associated with Scouting America. Mid America Council Chief Development
Officer Joe Wiltrout there we also have with us. They're
(16:12):
special Events Director Kendra Howell is here to talk more
about how you can be involved in this special lunching
event coming up on Wednesday, December third. Kendra, tell me
about what people need to do right now so they
can be a part of this event on Wednesday, December third.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
Yeah, so if we could have everybody go to our
website macbsa dot org slash donate, they can go ahead
and register for the event, let us know that they'll
be there December third from eleven thirty to one listening
to Rex Tillerson speak and our amazing impact stories. We
(16:50):
also would love to see everybody come to experience our
displays outside of the venue, which we'll have some stuff
from camp and we'll have our Invention Scouts doing some
different things there with the Stamp program and speaking to
(17:11):
the kids about what they can be a part.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Of with that.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Yeah, that's fine. It's great to get the kids involved too,
and I'm sure they don't mind taking a little time
out of school to be able to be a part
of this on that day as well, right.
Speaker 7 (17:23):
Yeah, definitely, there will be a great meal for them
to have and a great yes, a great excuse to
get at school for the day.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
So we will we'll reinforce that website that Kendrick gave
a moment ago so you can I'll give you a
moment to get a pin and paper handy or start
typing into your phone or your web browser so you
can see more about this. But what are we eating
on that day? I hear Joe talking about a lunch
and event. People are getting hungry, So what are we
eating on that day?
Speaker 7 (17:47):
Yeah? The menu will be chicken pesto with a Caprizi
salad and we're going to have tiramasius for desserts. So
I know I'm excited for that.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Yeah, that's great. That's a lot better than some of
the banquet food you normally. Here's some old so there's
some old potatoes and if you support nothing wrong with
all that. But if you're talking about Caprize salad and
tira masoux, I'm in Yeah, all right. So we're getting
a really good lunch, We're getting a really good speaker.
You're getting a chance to see some of these scouts
show off what they've gotten from scouting. How much does
(18:20):
it cost to get in there? And there are seats
still available?
Speaker 7 (18:23):
Yes, there are seats still available. It is free to attend.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
We just have Yeah, it's a terrible fuss.
Speaker 7 (18:30):
We do have a suggested donation of two hundred dollars
per guest.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Okay, yeah, very nice, and you just give what you
can certainly, Yeah, definitely, because what can you turn that
money into throughout the coming year for Scouting America Kendra.
Speaker 7 (18:44):
Yeah, so this will help with our for kids to
go to camp, and so we do have some individuals
who maybe can't afford camp, and so this allows them
to have that camp experience. It also helps allows us
to have events throughout the year with the students and
(19:04):
the youth and to be able to really bring them
some fun programs throughout the year. I know we have
a lot of events with like the Jubilee and Camporees
and stuff where kids and their family can experience some
fun and what it means to be a Scout.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
Yeah. So if you've got kids who are coming up
through Scouting, do you get them out of school and
bring them to this luncheon event or is this more
for the adults to take a look at.
Speaker 7 (19:31):
I would say both, you know, with our pre function
space and being able to experience that those fun activities,
I think, you know, having them those and those kids
who are interested in becoming a Scout or already or
Scouts some fun activities that maybe they won't have at
school that day. But also we are more than welcome,
(19:53):
more than welcoming of the parents and adults, and so
both both are.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Yeah. So once again, Kendra tell people what webs they
need to go to or what they need to do
right now so they can be a part of this
event on Wednesday, December third.
Speaker 7 (20:05):
Yes, So if you can go to our website at
mac mac dash, bsa dot org slash donate and then
from there it will take you to our event site
where they can register.
Speaker 2 (20:20):
Just look up the Mid America Council of Scouting America
and there's various things you can click on. Someone will
direct you for some reason you can't find all that here,
and it'll probably be Kendra you find online there. She
is the Special Events director with Scouting America's Mid America Council.
Joe Wiltrout, Chief Development Officer, thank you so much for
putting on this great event here in our town. Thanks
(20:42):
for what you do for young men and women in
our community, and thanks for telling us about it on
community matters.
Speaker 7 (20:48):
You bet, Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
Thank you, thank you so much for being with us
on community matters this week. As has been the theme
throughout the day's show, we are in the holiday season
and this is an annual event that says welcome to
the holiday season to the Omaha metro area. It's the
Annual Fezivol of Trees. Emphasis on the first part of
(21:10):
that word f e Z in other words, those little
hats that the Shriners wear. And we have here from
the Tangier Shriners. Jim Hurle, Feestival, chairman of the Annual
Festival of Trees event. Jim, thank you so much for
being here on the program.
Speaker 5 (21:25):
Well, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
So let's first talk about what the organization is all about.
The Tangier Shriners. Tell me about this group.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
Okay, Well, the Tangier shne has been around for many,
many years and basically one of our missions is to
get the kids to the hospital and take care of
the childreners.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Yeah, that's such a nice thing. How'd you get involved?
Speaker 5 (21:47):
I was basically knowing a lot of people and finally
I asked them how I got involved in They got
me into it.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
Yeah, and once you get involved, there you know when
you realize you're helping out kids need right here in
the community, it's kind of hard to say I'm busy,
I can't help and when you see the need that's
out there, right.
Speaker 5 (22:07):
Yep, that's true. My wife thinks I lived there, but.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Yeah, I'm sure. Well it's it's a beautiful building there,
not far from about eighty fourth and Center Street. I've
been in the community for a very long time. I
grew up kind of in that neighborhood, so I'd always
drive by the Tangier Shrine building and I'd see you
guys in the Ralston parade and everything, and oh wow,
these guys you have fun while doing it too. An organization,
(22:31):
whether it's a spaghetti feed or this annual event, tell
me about this year's fees deevol of Trees.
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Well, this year we've got sixty eight trees who had
to actually turned some people away. But they're all beautiful
and they're fully decorated. They've got gifts and stuff under them,
so people can come in. It's two dollars for an
adult to get in, kids under twelve for free, and
then they can buy raffle takers to try to wind
these trees. If you win the tree, you get the
(22:57):
tree and every gifts and all that stuff. Everything underneath
it is yours.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
And it's underway now and it's just going for a
few days. So what are all the details, including where
this event is and where people can go for more information?
Speaker 5 (23:08):
Okay, it's that Tangier Shrine Center, eighty fourth in center
and they can go to Tangier dot com. And like
I said, the tickets are two dollars. We got sixty
eight trees. We've got a silk Leave cafe in there
where we have sandwiches, sednament and pecon rolled pies, cookies.
We made sixteen thousand sugar cookies for the event.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
And it's going on all week, right.
Speaker 5 (23:31):
Yes, it goes on till the twenty ninth of November.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Okay, So and don't worry if you're not able to
get there until later in the week. It's not like
people are just plucking the trees and it's like coming
at the end of the garage sale, right, you know,
people are registering throughout the week for these trees and
trying to win them, trying to get these raffle prizes.
So you can still see everything in a few days
that you can today, right, yep, that's true, all right,
(23:56):
and then let's talk about the snacks and everything. What
can people snack and to eat and drink while they're there.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Okay, well, we have brisket, sloppy Joe's Pole pork, my
famous chicken salad.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Croissants, famous chicken salad.
Speaker 5 (24:10):
Croissants, that's what the lady's saying.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
I don't know, so yeah, good.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
We have cinnamon and pecan rolls, which everybody loves. We
go through over a thousand of those during the week.
So and then I said, sixteen thousand sugar cookies.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
So all right, and tell me about the trees themselves here,
because people think like, oh, I'm gonna go look at
kind of a Christmas tree with a few lights and
you know, bobbles hanging from it. Some people go really
really big on these trees.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
Yes they do. They go crazy. The trees are worth
anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars, and I
don't I've never seen a tree only worth five hundred.
They're all between one thousand and five thousand. So yeah,
some people have competition, you know, so like different car dealerships,
they try to outdo the other guys. So it's it's
really a fun event and they're all beautif full of trees,
(25:01):
a lot of different designs that you're never seen at
Christmas tree.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Right, there's some fun themes involved with them. The great
the decoration goes well beyond tinsel. You know, whatever your
mom had you do to decorate that tree. There's it's
just a really it's a feast for the eyes every year.
And the chance that you could win one of these things,
it's pretty special and get it in time to be
able to enjoy it at your home or office throughout
the holiday season by doing this kind of early. So
(25:27):
once again, what are the hours where do people go?
Do you need to buy tickets in advance? Give us
all the details, Jim, we need to know about this
year's Festival of Trees event.
Speaker 5 (25:36):
Okay, Well, on Saturdays we open up and it's usually
from nine to nine, except for the last Saturday, it's
nine to five because we've drawn for the trees at
six o'clock, so we close down everything there. During the week,
it's ten to nine most days, and Sunday is from
noon till five.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Okay, So and then you don't need to buy tickets
in advance to show up.
Speaker 5 (26:00):
You can even go online, but you can just show up.
Like I said, we got people there and it's just
two dollars to get in and it's it's just a
great way to start off the holidays. And by the way,
Santa said that he's going to be there. He personally
called me, so he is going to show up.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
Really, when might we be able to see the jolly
old health.
Speaker 5 (26:19):
We're going to put it on the website as to
when he's going to be there at different times.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
And that's tangiers dot com. Yes, that's the name of
the website for the Tangier Shriners. Right there off eighty
fourth and Center. You can't miss it. Jim Hurls the
Vestivol chairman for the annual Festival of Trees event at
the Tangier Shrine here in Omaha, going on throughout the
week until Saturday. You're going to love being there, eating
(26:46):
and enjoying the feast for the eyes that is all
the trees on display. Might even win one of them.
And if you go there and eat some of Jim's
famous chicken salad croissants, what is it that is, then
you're going to be a winner. Anyway for just a
couple of bucks a person, kids get in free. Super
fun event underway now. Go to Tangiers dot com for
(27:10):
more details. Jim Hurls, the festival chairman, the annual Festival
of Trees fundraiser for the Tangier Shrine here in Omaha,
thank you so much for what you're doing for kids
and families in our community, putting on this fun annual
event and telling us about it here on Community Matters.
Speaker 5 (27:26):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
We got a couple of minutes left here on community
matters this week. Let's hear from a recent edition of
kfab's Morning News and the host of that program, Gary Sadlemeyer.
Speaker 4 (27:36):
Pleasure to welcome Mike Hilgers back to the program. Nebraska
Attorney General, Mike, good morning, Good to.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
Have you back.
Speaker 8 (27:42):
Good morning, Gary, great to be here. Thank you.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
Bet. I want to find out more about this lawsuit
you filed on behalf of the state of Nebraska against
foign billionaire from Migas, Switzerland, who has been you say,
pouring money into here to boost these ballot initiatives. Tell
me more about this. That is illegal, right, yep, that's right.
(28:06):
Not only they've been pouring money, they've been pouring massive
amounts of money. Last cycle by our count Gary was
almost ten million dollars. This might be a little not
very much in New York City or California, but as
you know, in Nebraska, that's an enormous amount of money.
And what we did is we trace those dollars through
a number of intermediaries back to mister Weese Osborg Weis,
who's a sweetish billionaire. And in Nebraska, actually one of
(28:29):
the few states is only about ten or so maybe
thirteen by our count Gary, that have this in law
that prohibit direct or indirect funding by foreign nationals of
Nebraska state ballot initiatives, and so it is against the law.
We think what they've done is it violates that law,
and we filed a lawsuit to stop them. Does that
(28:50):
law also apply to campaigns for office holders or only
to ballot initiatives?
Speaker 8 (28:58):
There is a separate law that I I believe Gary
does also prohibit contributions to candidates, but I actually would
have to double check that. With's interesting Gary. For a
long time people thought at the federal level that foreign
funding of state elections was banned, and what happened was
in twenty twenty one, the FBC issued a ruling interpreting
(29:19):
federal law and saying, actually, everyone, that is not the case.
And so there was this potential loophole for foreign funding
of state elections in Nebraska. Actually, Senator John Cavaat it's
a bipartisan issue. Senator John Kavanaugh brought an amendment on
the floor. I was speaker. I voted for it to
close that loophole in Nebraska. And I just can't remember
if there was a state of specific prohivision for candidate
(29:39):
that there's not. By the way, I'd encourage the legislature
to fix that whole.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
This has been Community Matters, a weekly public affairs special
on Cat one O three, Omaha's Greatest Hits, ninety nine
point nine kg R News Radio, eleven ten KFAB, Country's
Greatest Hits ninety three three The Wolf, and ninety six
to one Kiss FM. Thank you, Thank you so much
for listening, and enjoy the rest of your day.
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