March 2014: Volume 16 Issue 1

Lexington Community Foundation |

L E X I N G T O N C O M M U N I T Y

Foundation Forum

March 2014 Volume 16 Issue 1

2 | Lexington Community Foundation

Dear Friends

I’m sure you have all heard that the only constant in life is change. I think that’s one of the reasons I choose to live here, in the center of the Good Life. We have seasons. No matter what this season is, I am always ready to usher in the new one. A summer well spent with friends and family at the lake or at the baseball diamond is tough to bid farewell; but crisp fall mornings in your back-to-school clothes, bubbling with the anticipation of football season are a welcome change. The magic of Advent and Christmas renews our faith in human kind – year after year; but daffodils poking through the brown, hard ground mark rebirth each Spring. Seasons change.

Your Lexington Community Foundation is continually changing, evolving to serve our community in the best way we know how. As much as we look to the past for wisdom, continuity, a solid foundation, we are constantly striving to look forward. To build and plan for future generations with changing needs.

One of the changes you will notice this spring is the move to mobile bidding at the Key. Using your own

cell phone or one of the iPads provided at the event, you will be able to bid on silent auction items without ever leaving your table. Believe me, our Events committee and the entire Board discussed this change at length. In the end, we are incredibly excited for this adventure.

There are positive changes in other areas as well, including the addition of scholarships through the generosity of the Batie and Wightman families. Our Scholarship committee has been hard at work, re-tooling some of the existing scholarships to ensure that the awards made are utilized fully, with the intent of the donor in mind.

Change can be uncomfortable but it can also open the door to possibilities we haven’t yet imagined. Rest assured, as we look forward to a new season, one thing that will not change is this Foundation’s mission. We will keep working hard to serve the wonderful people of Lexington and the surrounding area.

Sincerely, Amy Biehl-Owens, President

Amy Biehl-Owens, Pres.* Tom Fagot, V.P.*

Bill Stewart, Sec/Treas.* Rob Anderson

Bill Barrett Dean Brand

Stephanie Buell* Dan Clark

Jill Denker Dave Fairbanks

Tom Feltes

Wes Lubberstedt* Patty Mandelko

Barry McFarland Tod McKeone*

Linda Miller* Larry Reynolds Curt Rickertsen Tempie Roberts

Mark Sarratt Steve Smith*

Dave Stenberg

Rusty Sutton Gail Wightman John Wightman

* Executive Committee

STAFF:

Jackie Berke, Exec. Director Jawna Kuck, Admin. Assistant

AVISORY COUNSEL

Steve Heldt Dave Smith

Board Development

Wes Lubberstedt, Chair Dan Clark Bill Barrett Tempie Roberts

Development Committee

Tod McKeone, Chair Dave Fairbanks Wes Lubberstedt Gail Wightman John Wightman

Events Committee

Tom Fagot, Key ‘14 Chair Dean Brand Jill Denker Tom Feltes Patty Mandelko Amy Biehl-Owens Gail Wightman

Finance & Investment Committee

Bill Stewart, Chair Larry Reynolds Curt Rickertsen Dave Stenberg Rusty Sutton

Grants Committee

Steve Smith, Chair Rob Anderson Barry McFarland Tod McKeone Amy Biehl-Owens Mark Sarratt

Public Relations Committee

Linda Miller, Chair Jill Denker Amy Biehl-Owens

Scholarship Committee

Stephanie Buell, Chair Patty Mandelko Tempie Roberts Dave Stenberg

Lexington Community Foundation | 3

www.lexfoundation.org

The Batie family has created the Warren & Leta Batie Scholarship to be awarded for the first time this spring, as a way to help students with the increased costs of attending college. Pursuing a post secondary education in preparation for the future is important to the Batie family. Warren and Leta have always been proud of all of their children and grandchildren for graduating from a college or university.

Warren graduated from Lexington High School in 1937 and married Leta in 1947. He was active in many local organizations and served on multiple boards. Both had a true appreciation for the community and were actively involved. The Batie family received the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the Year in 1990 and the Ak-Sar-Ben Pioneer Farm Family Award in 1991.

Lifelong residents of Lexington, Warren and Leta have always been committed to being stewards of the community through years of service and generosity. In honor of their dedication to this community and their belief in the importance of a college degree, the Batie family has established the Warren & Leta Batie Scholarship valued at up to $2,000. This scholarship will be awarded each year to a LHS graduating senior who plans to attend any university, state college or tech school. For the complete description and application, visit the Foundation’s website: www.lexfoundation.org

NEW SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS


LCF - YOUR PARTNER IN PHILANTHROPY

T he L E X I N G T O N CO M M U N I T Y FOUNDATION constantly works to redefine itself in exciting and innovative ways that make us a more strategic and valued partner to those who invest in the progress of our community.

L ike any good community foundation, we reflect the character and personality of the area we serve. The dynamic nature of Lexington has made us more attentive to our fundholders and partners.

W e aim to simplify giving and strengthen impact for the individuals, families and businesses we support. We are told all the time that working with us is easy, effective, convenient and, yes, even fun. We do the tedious back-office administration and recordkeeping so that you don’t have to. Obviously, we are true believers in the benefits of partnering with a community foundation. We are not a financial services firm. We are philanthropists – living, working and caring about this community, just like you. And because of that, we support you in the most honest and genuine way. The services we deliver and advice we give are guided only by our commitment to you and our dedication to this community.

L ooking back at the Foundation’s performance over the past year, we can say with confidence that together we are indeed building a better area in which we live.

L ooking ahead, we can say with certainty that the best is yet to come for our dynamic community and for our community foundation that reflects it.

Our Mission: The Lexington Community Foundation exists to

encourage and strengthen philanthropy in order to provide a permanent source of funding for opportunities to improve

the quality of life, strengthen the sense of community, benefit future generations in Lexington, Nebraska.


NEW AFFILIATE FUNDS

Welcome to the Foundation! The LCF welcomes 12 new affiliate funds to its holdings. In 1998, the LCF held three affiliate funds: the Francelene Skinner Scholarship, DC ARC and Thanks a Million. Assets totaled about $800,000. Currently, LCF assets total $9.7 million and 74 affiliate funds are held for the benefit of others. This is philanthropy and partnership at its best!

Dawson County Museum Fund DC 4-H Livestock Premium Fund Johnson Lake Carp Removal Fund

Johnson Lake EMS Fund Johnson Lake State Park Fund

Johnson Lake Wine & Arts Festival Fund Lexington Area Community Choir

Optimist Fund YMCA Endowment Fund

YMCA Pool Fund Warren & Leta Batie Scholarship

John & Jan Wightman Scholarship Fund

FINANCIAL FAST FACTS $9.7 million in total assets

$10+ million in cumulative grants to date

$1.7M in Foundation unrestricted funds, of which

$1.28M is permanently endowed

7.58% Historic return on investments (17-year)

14.8% 5-year return on investments

$1.8M distributed from eleven Key events

$1.1M distributed from three Give BIG Lexington giving days

70+ charitable funds

$10 Million+ gifted to the local community to date

As a 501(c)(3) designated public charity, LCF makes detailed financial reporting and investment practices available to the public.

Our financial reporting documents are available upon request.

Donors may give through t h e L E X I N G T O N C O M M U N I T Y FOUNDATION to the causes that mean the most to them. For your convenience, a donation card and return envelope is included in this mailing. Contact the Foundation anytime to discuss giving options.

Together we make a difference!


COMMUNITY EVENTS

In 1889, the small community of Plum Creek, Nebraska was renamed Lexington and became the county seat of Dawson County. The 125th anniversary of this event is this year and the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and Plum Creek Days Committee have been planning Plum Creek Days 2014, a celebration of Lexington's past and future. The kick-off on February 21 will be at the Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet, while the finale is an "Old Fashioned 4th on the 5th", at Kirkpatrick Memorial Park on July 5th. The LCF Key ‘14 dinner and auction on April 26th will have a Plum Creek Days theme.

June's full schedule of events includes the Plum Creek Players performing "Big Time in the Old Towne" once every week of the month, the crowning of Plum Creek Days royalty on June 3, Robb Cemetery tours on June 7 and a Community Worship Service on June 8 in Kirkpatrick Memorial Park. The following weekend is the 11th Annual Plum Creek Rodeo, a Grand Parade and afternoon and evening performances of a Melodrama by the Plum Creek Players.

Throughout June, the YMCA will sponsor adult and children’s activities. The Lexington Public Library is bringing in a children’s program of “Shrek the Musical” by the Crane River Theater on June 17, “A Century of Fashion, 1870-1970” by Sue McClain on June 22 and “The Sock Rockerz” on June 26. Watch for more information regarding both YMCA and Library programs and activities.

The 4th of July holds the annual Fun Run, BBQ and fireworks. Plum Creek Days 2014 will culminate on Saturday, July 5 at Kirkpatrick Memorial Park with activities, food, music and entertainment for children and adults ending with the Johnson Lake fireworks at dusk. Start filling in your calendars!

PLUM CREEK DAYS - 2014 "LOOKING BACK, BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE - OUR LEXINGTON"

KEY 2014 PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT: LEXINGTON FIELDHOUSE PROJECT

LEXINGTON MAJESTIC THEATER PROJECT GIVE BIG LEXINGTON 2014 LCF ENDOWMENT FUND

KEY 2014 REGISTRATION & BIDDING FOR THE

SILENT AUCTION WILL BE OPEN TO ANYONE WHO CHOOSES TO PARTICIPATE.

PLEASE JOIN US

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS -5:00-9:00 P.M. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - NO CHARGE ALL AUCTION ITEMS WILL BE DISPLAYED

COMPLIMENTARY HORS D’OEUVRES & BEVERAGES

PREVIEW OPEN HOUSE

FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH


MOBILE BIDDING AT KEY 2014

N S A B P A !

Mobile phone bidding from QTEGO Auction Technology is new to the 13th Annual Key Dinner & Auction!

The Lexington Community Foundation hopes to maximize the potential fundraising aspect of Key ’14 event by running the auction through QTEGO, an innovative company which allows people to bid remotely by registering their mobile telephones numbers online.

Registration for the silent auction will be open to anyone who chooses to participate. You do not need to be a Key ticket holder, or even in the State of Nebraska to bid. To take part in this year’s Key ’14 silent auction, and support the efforts of the Lexington Community Foundation, visit www.qtego.net/auc/lcf. You can review items up for bid, register your mobile phone and start bidding. Live auction bidding will remain reserved to ticket holders only.

Some silent auction items include: dining certificates, weekend getaway packages, tickets to events, photography packages, home maintenance certificates, art and sports items.

QTEGO is fast, easy and fun. Text notifications sent directly to their phones allows bidders to have up-to-the-minute bid updates and encourages additional bidding without ever visiting the bidding table.

QTEGO will streamline the process for the L C F by organizing bids and providing reports, resulting in the need for fewer volunteers to help coordinate the auction process.

How to Pre-Register your Phone:

1. Register your mobile phone number securely at: qtego.net/auc/lcf.

2. Watch for 2 text messages from QTEGO, confirming your registration.

3. Click on the link in the confirmation text message, and it will direct you to your personal online bidding page. Click on any silent auction item to see a photo, read a description and place your bid.


In memory of Lois Anderson

Barb McCormick

In memory of Richard “Andy” & Ruth

Anderson Gloria Ourada-Simonson

In memory of Rick Anderson

Gloria Ourada-Simonson

In memory of Don Bader

Marge Bader (DCHM & Library)

In memory of Thomas J. Bader

Marge Bader (JL Trails & DAR)

In memory of Bill & Doris Bendfeldt

Robert & Brenda Bendfeldt (JL Trails)

In memory of Jerry Bennett

Scott & Corky Anderson (Class of ’77)

In memory of Bill Berquist

Lee & Delphine Sanks

In memory of Lolita Biehl

Cathy Hanson (Backpacks for Kids)

In memory of Lynda Biehl

Biehl Family (JL Trails)

In memory of Jim Burnett

Kay Denker Steve & Mary Smith

Pauline White

In memory of Carroll Clements

Billie & Ed Clements

In memory of Bob Conz

Scott & Corky Anderson (Class of ’77)

In memory of Irv Coufal Marge Coufal

(DCHM, HMMV, Library & LVFD)

In memory of Karen Darby

Scott & Jennifer Mitchell

In memory of Bill Denker

Kay Denker

In memory of Levi Doss

Dave & Sandy Doss (Club 180 &Morton PTO)

In memory of Ilean Falkinburg

(Memorials have been directed to the Majestic Theater unless noted.) LHS NNER Group & Students

George & Joan Allen Linda & Don Anthony

Greg Araujo Marge Bader Dennis Biehl Kay Denker

Brian & Shannon Falkinburg Matthew & Suzanne Falkinburg

Jerry & Barb Froistad Betty Hofferber

Marian Kline Terry & Linda Lauby Dennis & Jean McGee

Bruce & Julia Rickertsen Myra Ringenberg

Donna & Michael Tighe Pauline White

Charlene Wiley

In memory of Sharon Foster (Esslinger)

Sherry Area (CASA)

In memory of Marvelin Fowler

(Memorials have been directed to the JL Trails unless noted.) Rich & Cindy Fowler Ron & Kathy Fowler

In memory of Gilbert Gierhan

Dave & Sheri Giesbrecht (LACC) Doran & Pat Post

In memory of Janice Gulden

Pamela Abbott (Class of ’77) Scott & Corky Anderson (Class of ’77)

Marge Bader (L2 For Kids) John & Tami Reynolds (JL Trails)

Linda Shaw (CASA) Muriel Shea (Library)

Brent & Connie Smets (LACC) Charlene Wiley (Theater)

David & Karla Zlatkovsky

In memory of Dianne Haberlan

(Memorials have been directed to the JL Trails unless noted.)

Bill Haberlan & Family Haberlan Friends & Neighbors

Charles Olsen

In memory of Audrey A. Hendrickson

Carole Beck Dave & Carolyn Fairbanks

(YMCA Pool) Larry & Judy Moomey

In memory of Sheyenne Hervert

Eugene Hervert (Alumni Scholarship Fund, L2 for Kids &Meals on Wheels)

In memory of Bill & Jane Hibberd


Brian Hibberd Charles & Janel Hibberd

Chris Hibberd James & Marcia Hibberd

Matthew & Ashley Hibberd Deb Patterson

Carson & Jenni Vaillancourt

In memory of Arvella Hildenbrandt

Dawson Co. Iris Society (Comm. Act. Pt., Par. Child Prot. Serv., GGC &KLB)

In memory of Lester Hildenbrandt

Dawson County Iris Society (Comm. Act. Pt., Par. Child Prot. Serv., GGC &KLB)

Rod & Jane Schroeder (Par. Child Prot. Serv.)

In memory of John Hinds

Rita Hinds (HMMV, Lexington Lions & LVFD)

In memory of Ken & Lucille Holen

Tim & Sandy (Holen) Johnson (Theater)

In memory of Gilbert Horn

Gene Freeze (JL Trails)

In memory of Dr. OE Hundley

Mildred Hundley (JL EMS)

In memory of Gary Jackson

Rick & Pam Trampe (Theater, Backpacks for Kids &Good Samaritan Fund)

In memory of Charles Jenkins

St. Peter's in the Valley Episcopal Church (JL EMS)

In memory of Verl Jensen

(Memorials have been directed to the YMCA Pool Fund unless noted.)

Betty Best Mary Brenton

Charles & Mary Ann Erickson Tom & Cathy Fagot

Dave & Carolyn Fairbanks Jim & Marsha Fairbanks

To remember; to pay tribute to;

to honor; these are the people

who have touched our lives.


Owen Brown & Stacy Fairbanks Omar Jensen Family

Vonnie Jensen Terry & Linda Lauby (LCF)

Mogens & Sally Knudsen Scott & Marcella Krieger

Dave & Cassie Smith Dan & Kay Taylor

In memory of Louis Kash

Ed & Joni Bennett Kay Denker

Mike & Karla Denker (YMCA) Mildred Hundley (JL Trails)

Wes & Neala Lubberstedt Doran & Pat Post

Dave & Sheila Rowe (YMCA Pool) Rod & Jane Schroeder

(Alumni Scholarship Fund) Steve & Mary Smith (Theater)

Dwight & Darlene Trautman (JL Trails) Brad & Jill Williams

In memory of Ed Knapple

Sarah Taylor (DCHM)

In memory of Hattie Marsh Knapple Sarah Taylor (DCHM & DAR)

In memory of Dale Larkins

Dann & Pat Sharp (Library)

In memory of Jens Knudsen

Mitch & Jackie Berke Dave & Carolyn Fairbanks

Jawna Kuck Mike & Ronda Maloley

Toby Owens & Amy Biehl-Owens (YMCA Pool)

Sandra Reimnitz

In memory of Tom Marshall

Bonnie Marshall

In memory of Paul Matson

Aaron Matson (JL Trails)

In memory of Charlaine (Anthony) Mays

Karen Gruntorad

In memory of Dolores McFarland Barry McFarland (DCHM)

In memory of Dean McGee

Kay Denker

In memory of Doris McGee

Kay Denker Lee & Delphine Sanks

In memory of Marion & Helen Menke

Kay Denker

In memory of Darlene Pennington Sandy Mittelstaedt (DAR)

In memory of John & Pat Racek

Arlan & Pam Ackerman (Alumni Assoc.)

In memory of Robert Rauch

Sheryl Rauch (Theater)

In memory of Larry F. Reed

(Memorials were directed to the LVFD through Give BIG Lexington

unless noted.) Fairview Veterinary Clinic (DC 4-H)

McCheshney Martin Sagehorn, PC (DC 4-H)

Reed Family Trust (DC 4-H) George & Joan Allen

Scott & Corky Anderson (Class of ‘77) Lois Anthony

Terry & Sara Beans (DC 4-H) Paul & Patsy Berntson

Ronald & LaJean Bossung Della Mae Courter

Ray & Judith Geiger Michael & Sharon Gerken

Rhita Hock Lynn & Janice Lans (DC 4-H)

Larry & Arlene Reed (LVFD & Library) John & Tami Reynolds (DC 4-H)

Bruce & Julia Rickertsen (DC 4-H) Ron & Ann Schultz (Class of ‘77)

R.C. & Kim Shepherd Dale & Elinore Jo Sherman (DC 4-H)

John & Audrey Strauss

In memory of Ruth Robinson

Charlene Zimmerman (CASA)

In memory of Alonzo “Al” Roemmich

(Memorials have been directed to the LRCH Charitable Fund unless noted.)

LRHC Employees Mitch & Jackie Berke Mike & Karla Denker

Mike & Ronda Maloley John & Tami Reynolds (Optimist)

Dave & Chris Roemmich

In memory of Donald Ross

Lee & Delphine Sanks

In memory of Erika Joy Rowan

Thomas Everson (Erika Joy Rowan Foundation)

In memory of Karen Shafer

Linda Shaw (CASA)

In memory of Robert L. Shaw

(Memorials have been directed to CASA unless noted.)

Bryan Nelsen Linda Shaw (YMCA)

Reggie Shaw William Shaw

In memory of Gary Shubert

Mike & Mary Worster (Gary Shubert Memorial Scholarship)

In memory of Ardis Smith

John & Dixie Bednar (LVFD)

In memory of Don Stearley

Patricia Wade (HMMV)

In memory of Betty Stuckey

John & Dixie Bednar (HMMV) Charlie & Karmen Cadwell (Baseball)

In memory of Dean Stuckey

John & Dixie Bednar (HMMV)

In memory of Lorraine Teetor

Vernon Teetor

In memory of Bonnie Tomasek

(Memorials were directed to the LVFD & Lexington Baseball through

Give BIG Lexington unless noted.) Lexington Family Dentistry (YMCA)

Ellen Adkisson Pam Baruth

Mark & Cynthia Bazis Ed & Joni Bennett

William & Nancy Bowie Lavere Brinkman

Charlie & Karmen Cadwell Dan & LuAnn Clark

Jim & Marilyn Crawford Jerry & Louise Dannehl

Kay Denker Mike & Karla Denker

Raymond & Patricia Ehlers Anita Fagot

Dennis Fellers K.J. & Kelda Fischer

Robert Fisher Dave & Sheri Giesbrecht Doug & Carol Heineman

Barb Hodges Todd & Heidi Kellerman

Phil & Marlene Kleppinger Connie Kohl Beryle Lantz James Larson Dian Lauby

Larry & Ann Luther Steve & Allison Luther

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Magnuson Mike & Ronda Maloley

Lynee McGuire Roger & Julie Owens

Doran & Pat Post John & Tami Reynolds (JL St. Rec. Fund)

Mark Reynolds Dan & Tempie Roberts

Robert Robinson Glen Robinson

Dennis & Pat Samway Carol Sandau

Bob & Patricia Sherman (Scholarship) Bill & Linda Shotkoski

William & Shirley Smets Bill & Donna Stewart

Children of Dean & Betty Stuckey Gertrud Sund

Alan & JoAnn Svajgr Rod & Shirley Swanson

Family of Bonnie Tomasek (GGC, Theater &YMCA) Robert & Judith Tomasek

Donna Trueblood

Pauline White (Theater & YMCA) Charlene Wiley

In memory of Gladys Tool

Scott & Corky Anderson (Class of ‘77) Ron & Ann Schultz (Class of ‘77)

Ed & Joni Bennett (Library)

In memory of Bonnie Tuma

Jim Larsen & Family

In memory of Kristen A. Volkman Maureen Lauby (Theater)

In memory of Camden Ward Tom & Malena Ward

(DC Children’s Museum)

In memory of Venita M. Wilkins


Phillip & Rosalie Floerchinger Richard & Sandra Hove Steve & Jeanine Kemper

Brian & Sheryl Miller Jim Herrod & Bonnie Marshall

Marjorie Nolte Maxine Tait

Jim & Sandy Zecha

In memory of Keith Williams

Allan & LaDonna McClure (JL Trails)

In memory of Dan Wolfe

Docks Unlimited Mitch & Jackie Berke

Mike & Ronda Maloley (JL Trails) Doran & Pat Post

THANK YOU to our 2014 Event Sponsors and the businesses that have given at the

Elite and Premiere Level. We are partners in making an impact in our community!

For more information on how you can become a 2014 Event Sponsor please see the enclosed flyer or visit:

www.lexfoundation.com

Phone: 308-324-6704 Email: [email protected]

www.lexfoundation.org Tax ID# 47-0794760

community foundation 607 North Washington

P.O. Box 422 Lexington, NE 68850

The Lexington Community Foundation establishes endowment funds and Administers the income for the betterment of the Lexington Community. The

Lexington Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization under United States tax laws. Gifts to the Foundation are tax

deductible to the extent applicable under the relevant tax law.

Documents

March 2014: Volume 16 Issue 1