Nemaha County residents will have the opportunity to help their neighbors during the upcoming holiday season.
The fifth annual Nemaha County Gives Back Winter Festival is Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 3-4, from 5-8 p.m. at the 4-H Building in Auburn.
The event provides community fellowship with a winter wonderland theme. There will be special musical performances by area musicians. Warm food will be served as Nemaha County residents prepare for Christmas and the special season of giving and helping others.
There will be a freewill offering meal. Chili, potato and chicken noodle soup; relishes, desserts and beverages will be served. Decorated Christmas trees and wreaths will be auctioned off. There will be a tribute to men and women serving the United States in the U.S. armed forces.
All proceeds from the festival will help to buy toys, gifts, clothing and food baskets for the designated needy families, elderly and disabled in our county.
The Christmas trees and wreaths, decorated by members of county organizations, will be auctioned to raise funds for Southeast Nebraska Community Action (SENCA), Southeast Nebraska Developmental Services (SENDS) and elderly residents.
Dec. 3 entertainment is: Evelyn Heskett, Auburn, keyboardist; 5:30-6 p.m.; the Peru State College Madrigal Singers, 6-6:30 p.m. and Just September, Auburn, 7-7:30 p.m. Just September consists of John M. Beal, Auburn; Eli Chase, Brownville and Josh Schreiner, Nebraska City. The trio performs alternative rock and some country music.
Dec. 4 entertainment is: Rhythm in Red, the Auburn High School Show Choir, 5:30-6 p.m.; Good Intentions, a men’s ensemble from the Johnson, Brock and Auburn areas, 6-6:30 p.m. and Cross+Walk, consisting of Will Behrends of Martin Luther Church south of Johnson; Kim Butler and Allyn Remmers of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hickory Grove, southwest of Auburn and Lisa Othmer of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church south of Tecumseh, 7-7:30 p.m. The quartet performs gospel music in an a cappella style.
The auction will be both nights from 6:30-7 p.m. The military tribute is at 7:30 p.m. both nights.
A DVD will be played during the event, recognizing the military members individually. All family members of the men and women who are serving in the U.S. armed forces are welcomed at the event.
The traveling military board will be on display at the event Dec. 3-4. It then will be on display around the county through the holidays! If your organization, church or business would like to have the board to display, please contact Bobette Guenther at 402-274-8919 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Volunteers are also being sought to help serve or provide a dessert for the event.
Please contact Guenther with any questions or for more information.
In 2010, the $18,430 proceeds were distributed to SENCA, SENDS, and elderly and disabled persons in Nemaha County.
Utilizing those funds, the committee provided: 133 food baskets of non-perishable food, a $25 gift certificate and a warm blanket; 196 Nemaha County children were given toys/gifts, warm coats, pajamas, jeans and shirts; 60 SENDS clients were given $40 gift certificates to purchase clothing; and $25 gift certificates and a warm blanket were given to designated elderly and disabled persons. Eight of the 10 Christmas trees and two of the Christmas wreaths that were auctioned off were contributed back to needy families with children.
Goals of the Committee
–In light of our Christian faith and values, the committee believes that they must sincerely consider needs and people with challenges in our community and address those in a humble and loving manner;
–To personally realize the needs in our community by reaching out to children, families, the elderly, the disabled and the challenged through SENCA, SENDS, AHA and others;
–To provide an avenue to bring the community together in a welcoming and inclusive way, to enjoy the meaning and beauty of Christmas and the winter season, with a dinner, fellowship and entertainment in a family-friendly setting;
–To partner with area businesses and individuals in raising fund to assist with the dinner, program and the needs within the community;
–To provide a benefit fundraiser, working together as a community, through an auction of decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, to help our neighbors here in Nemaha County and
–To give the opportunity for those in the military to be honored and thought of, along with their families, as they serve the United States away from home during Christmas.