The third annual Seward County Gives campaign will open in May, and organizers are hoping to build on the success of the previous two years.
“We’re running a little different this year with a weekend start to allow for some fun,” said Misty Ahmic, who has been a member of the Seward County Gives Board since its inception in 2022.
The week of giving will launch Saturday, May 4.
“We will do the Lunch on the Lawn event again on Monday, May 6, and will wrap up on Thursday, May 9, with an event in Milford at Thornridge Golf Course,” Ahmic said.
Donors may give online that week at sewardcountygives.com or at in-person giving stations throughout the county.
Lunch on the Lawn is a fair around the courthouse square in Seward showcasing each organization. The fair serves as a way for donors to make their donations in person while learning more about each organization’s goals.
In 2023 and 2022 combined, the project raised nearly $420,000 for nonprofits in Seward County.
Those donations included a match incentive, which has a larger goal this time around.
“Our match goal for this year is $40,000, up from $30,000 last year,” Ahmic said. “To meet that goal, we really need the support of local organizations.”
One hundred percent of the match goes directly to the participating organizations.
Ahmic said the board doesn’t set an overall fundraising goal because the scope of each organization’s project is so different.
Some are looking to raise a couple hundred dollars, while others have million-dollar projects in mind.
The board is comprised of volunteers spanning communities across the county. They include Ahmic, Shane Baack, Preston Suhr, Sharon Powell, Joey Carder, Michelle Meyer, Katie Wergin and Stephanie Cradick.
A list of participating organizations and the projects for which they are raising money is below. More details on each project will be available at www.sewardcountygives.com the week of April 22.
Blue River Historical Society – log cabin restoration and preservation
Blue River Pet Rescue – PurrHaven renovation
Blue Valley Community Action – emergency services
Seward Christmas Festival – festival updates and downtown lights
City of Milford – park improvement project, phase two
Cordova Volunteer Fire Department – truck equipment improvements
Flatwater Film Festival – social gatherings during the festival
Heart to Heart Ministries – to offset counseling costs
Hope Crisis Center – safe shelter and services for Seward County
Kiwanis Club of Seward - Helping Hands – furnishings for the Seward Wellness Center’s kids “watch room”
Kiwanis Club of Seward Foundation – flag replacement at Seward Parade of Flags
Legacy Fund for Seward County – endowment building
Make a Wish Nebraska – granting wishes in Seward County
Milford Childhood Learning Center – MCLC Scholarship Program
Milford Kiwanis Club – handicap accessible park swing
Milford Recreation Board – field upgrades and equipment
Milford Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department – Conex fire training
Mound Prairie Cemetery – cemetery maintenance and upkeep
Nebraska National Guard Museum – Operation Snowbound 1949 “M29 Weasel” exhibit
Olde Glory Foundation – community hall roof repair
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and School – Gaga Ball pit
Plum Creek Literacy Festival – 2024 festival
Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee – 2024 July Fourth celebration
Seward Arts Council – 2024 Fifth Street Summer Music Series
Seward County Genealogical Society – preserving school census records and purchasing a projector
Seward Memorial Library – sound system improvements
Seward Read to Me – book donations
Seward United Methodist Church – Gather and Grow south building addition project
Seward Youth and Community Club – Plum Creek sports and turf campaign
Seward-ish Giving Tree – Veteran support
Southeast Nebraska CASA – recruit and retain five new Seward volunteers
St. John Lutheran School – security access points
Staplehurst Volunteer Fire Department – bunker gear updates
Tamora Volunteer Fire Department – bunker gear update
Utica Ball Organization – rebuilding the UBO
Utica Cemetery – finish the fence
Utica Community Foundation – downtown Utica mural
Utica Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department – Stryker power load cot
Village of Cordova – repainting the base of the landmark windmill
Village of Utica Parks and Pool – new public pool
